Minds That Agree

Within two days the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce gave their opinions of what Russia under its present government means to this country. While very different in treatment, both statements coincided in one conclusion-- that Russia must help herself before the United States can assist her materially by diplomatic recognition or any other means. Secretary Hughes made his statement in response to an appeal from the Women's Committee for Recognition of Russia. But his remarks were doubtless designed also as an answer to Senator Borah and others who are demanding recognition for Russia. Admitting the stability of the Lenin-Trotzky regime, Mr. Hughes asked: "What good is stability in a policy of repudiation and confiscation ? "The Soviet Government has repudiated $187,000,000 lent to Russia by the United States. What is more, it is agitating for a "world revolution" in this and other countries. In other words, recognition would involve the ridiculous situation of our acknowledging a government as a legitimate ruler abroad which refuses in practice to regard our government as legitimate in this country. Secretary Hoover, in a letter to the International Committee of the Y. M. C. A., gave his opinions, from an economic standpoint, on our relations with Russia. His points were: 1) that official recognition would not promote trade relations with Russia --other governments have tried the experiment and failed, 2) that all charitable relief can hope to do is "lift special groups from utter destitution up to the level of the general poverty," 3) that Russia must restore fundamental conditions of security and confidence before reconstruction can be undertaken.