The Russian Trade Argument It is satisfactory that the Russian
Trade Agreement negotiations should have been resumed at Moscow, whither they have been transferred from London, and that M. Litvinoff should be hopeful of an early settle- ment, but extremely unsatisfactory that the settlement should not have been reached long since. The improve- ment of Russia's relations with various important countries, notably the United States and France, has contributed substantially to the maintenance of stability in Europe, and the growth of general confidence in Russia itself is demonstrated by the conciliatory speeches made during last week-end by MM. Molotoff and Litvinoff. It is no doubt perfectly true that Russia is boggling at demands which, on grounds of abstract justice, she ought to concede, but great matters and small must be kept in the right proportion, and in the state of Europe today it is of the highest moment that this country should in external affairs be working as harmoniously with Soviet Russia as possible. State- ments in the House of Commons have made it clear that no fundamental principles are standing in the way of a settlement; any lesser questions should be left aside and the agreement concluded at the earliest moment possible.
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