SOVIET STATUS IN AMERICA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19627, 23 October 1933, Page 7

SOVIET STATUS IN AMERICA

RECOGNITION OF U.S.A. DESIRED UNSETTLED ISSUES IN THE LIMELIGHT Cnlted Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 22, 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 21. Speedy recognition ol the Soviet was forecasted authoritatively to-day, when ward was received that the Communist State intends to rush a representative to White House. It was stated unofficially that M. Litvinoff would probably meet President Roosevelt in about a fortnight. For and Against Recognition. A large increase of Russo-American trade is anticipated, should conversations solve the obstacles to recognition. The American Federation of Labour and the American Legion have already expressed opposition to recognition. First Place m the News. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times’’ states that the President took the big headlines away from the disgruntled western farmers by selecting to-day for the announcement of Russian negotiations. All day the agrarian revolt against the N.R.A. code was the chief topic of discussion tn Washington. After a press conference, at which the Russian announcement was made, the condition was otherwise. There is no class in the oountry more interested in the fruits of Soviet recognition, if that follows, than the farmers. There are large markets in Russia for cotton, and most Congressmen in Washington commend the President's approach to the Russian problem. Attitude of Senators. Senator Thomas declared that President Roosevelt's letter to M. Kalinin (Soviet Ambassador in United States) was tantamount to recognition. Sneator Reynolds (South Carolina) said: “Russia can use millions of bales of cotton now, and many hundreds of thousands every year. Recognition would go a long way to solving the surplus cotton problem." Senator King, who was once for recognition and changed his opinion since his recent visit to Russia, now declared himself in opposition on account of Russian propaganda activities. Knotty Problems to Settle. Four principal problems face President Roosevelt and M. Litvinoff, when they start discussions: (1) The Russian propaganda in the United States for the overthrow of the existing form of government; (2) The debt contracted by the Kerensky Provincial Government in 1917, ol 187,000,000 dollars due to the United States treasury; (3) The confiscation of American properties in Russia, Including the repudiation of 86,000,000 dollars of private loans by bankers to the Czarist Government; (4) The rights of American citizens in Russia. Immense Debts to Settle. Russian-American relations were halted in 1918. Since then the American claims—private and government—have grown to 800,000.000 dollars, the Government’s share of which being 332,000,000 dollars, representing cash advanoes for war purposes and relief work, with accrued and unpaid interest. It is expected all claims will be submitted to a mixed commission and the preliminary discussions with M. Litvinoff, will be conducted by President Roosevelt personally. “It is interesting to note that Russia took 11,000,000 dollars worth of American goods in 1930, and 103,000.000 dollars worth in 1931, but only 12,000,000 dollars worth In 1932. GAMBLING ON RECOGNITION. MARKET OPERATORS DISAPPOINTED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 22, 1.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 22. Market operators, who expected the Soviet negotiations to stimulate prices have been sadly disappointed, as the New York Stock Exchange suffered the sharpest decline for several weeks. Observers are of opinion that Soviet recognition has already been discounted. Meanwhile the continued gloomy business outlook is having a depressing effect on securities. AWAITING OFFICIAL MOVE. PRESIDENTS UNCERTAINATTITUDE. Cnlted Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, October 20. An important announcement regarct tng the long closed diplomatic relations between the United States and Soviet Russia is In prospect, but whether it will come first from Washington or Moscow is not clear. Friday’s reports from Moscow state that the exchange of correspondence between the two Governments will be released late on Friday. This is not denied by the Secretary of State, Mr Hull. "I will have to wait until I have

checked over the latest reports," he declared. It Is understood that Mr Roosevelt had an Important declaration In mind, but the subject remained undisclosed. Exchange of Views. It Is announced that the exchange of correspondence between Mr Roosevelt and the Soviet Government will be published on Friday, and will open a way for new trade relations, and points to the path of ultimate recognition, but it Is emphasised at White House that does not constitute recognition now.