National Affairs: Russian Recruits

Only a very minor fraction of public opinion today favors the diplomatic recognition of Soviet Russia by the U. S. If and when a major fraction favors such recognition the Department of State will promptly drop its objections and formulate a new principle whereby diplomatic relations may be resumed. Last week two potent travelers returned to the U. S., shifted from the major to the minor fraction group by announcing their conversion to Russian recognition.

Declared S. Stanwood Menken, board chairman of the National Security League, vociferous foe of Communism: “Everywhere I was told that the Communist Government was strong and its stability equal to any in Europe. Their economic program is being carried out with an idealism and sacrifice of which the American people have no true concept. There are 156,000,000 people in Russia and to ignore their desires, wants and governmental stability is to act the foolish ostrich with its head in the sand.”

Declared Senator Alben William Barkley of Kentucky, heretofore no Russian recruit: “An American entering Russia must unlearn a good deal. . . . I never saw such optimism. . . . If the stable government now maintained by the Soviet is continued, the U. S. will have to give serious consideration to negotiations looking toward recognition.”

Senator Burton Kendall Wheeler of Montana long a “minor fraction” on this question also returned from Russia to declare: “We’re just a bunch of suckers if we do not recognize them.”