It is good news that an important agreement has been
made between several big British grain broking and shipping firms and the Wholesalers' Co-operative Society, on the one side, and Centrosoyus (the Russian Co-operative :Society) and two other Russian organizations, on the -other side, for 'the export of Russian grain. Here is a fine example of how trade will grow up even in this -disturbed world if it is given so much as half a chance. It is said that the success of the negotiations is largely due to Mr. Wise, the distinguished ex-Civil Servant, who has recently gone into business and is now the repre- sentative of Centrosoyus in this country. At any rate, everyone concerned is to be -congratulated on 'a defi- nite step forward, -which we can set against the present series of Eurnpean relapses. The agreement also makes it obvious that there was, as we have always maintained, no Governmental interference with trade with Russia, and that as soon as such trade became practicable it would grow up. While Russia .is being steadily drawn back by the subtle cords of commerce into the society of civilized nations, the Government must seriously consider putting the present rather anomalous state of half-recognition of the Moscow Government on a more definite basis. After all, the Bolshevik Govern- ment is now the senior Administration of Europe, and its hold upon the country seems as firm as ever. We cannot help feeling that nothing would -be lost, and that some- thing might possibly be gained, by the resumption of formal diplomatic relations.
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