FUTURE OF RUSSIA

Southland Times, Issue 18990, 11 July 1923, Page 2

FUTURE OF RUSSIA

AMERICAN’S ADVICE. CREDIT MUST BE RESTORED. LONDON, June 17. The Moscow correspondent of the Daily News has interviewed Mr Bush, the chairman of the New York Chamber of Commerce, whose visit has aroused the greatest interest, as the Soviet Government is extremely anxious to attract foreign capital in developing Russia’s resources. “I told the authorities at Moscow,” he said, “that only adventurers would come to Russia at present. What Russia needs is men who will be prepared to put money into the country, and allow it to remain there for, say, 50 years. “Russia stands where the United States stood 40 years ago. The two countries are alike in many ways. Both are great agricultural countries, with adequate resources. The United States obtained the necessary capital because she inspired confidence. Russia must also inspire confidence. Russia should acknowledge her debts, even though she is unable to meet them at present. She must guarantee the future inviolability of private property.

“I am convinced of the absolute sincerity of Messrs Trotsky. Tchitcherin, Kamenoff, and other heads,” added Mr Bush. “It is most important that Britain and the United States should realise that these men are facing the difficulties which every Government has to face after a revolution. They must carry the people with them at every step. Their attitude in negotiating with foreigners would be more conciliatory but for this fact.”

The Moscow correspondent of the London Observer states that Americans are leaving there at the end df. July at the conclusion of the famine relief work on which they have been engaged for two years.

Three million children have still to be housed, and the institutions created will now be handed over to the Soviet Government. At one time the Americans were feeding 11,000,000 children and they claim to have saved 5,000,000 lives during 1922. Present conditions are said to promise sufficient supplies for Russia, besides a substantial balance for export.