THE NATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
such a treaty as would be negotiated with any other sovereign state.
While it is not as satisfactory a treaty as might have been secured
under other conditions, it is wholly consistent with American prin-
ciples of the “open-door” and the territorial and political integrity
of sovereign states. This Chamber therefore urges the prompt
ratification of this treaty. (Resolution, Twelfth Annual Meeting,
1924.)
RerATIiONS WitH CANADA
Your committee respectfully suggests that the Chamber, through
its proper channels, conduct an inquiry as to the possibility of
further improving the social and economic relations between the
business men of Canada and the United States, to the end that each
may enjoy the utmost advantage to be gained by the best possible
social and business contact between the citizens of the two countries.
(Resolution, Thirteenth Annual Meeting, 1925.)
Russia
We endorse the position of our government in refusing to recog-
nize Soviet Russia and pledge the continuing support of organized
business in that refusal, until Soviet Russia provides adequate assur-
ances of its purpose to maintain its international relations in accord-
ance with recognized standards, with evidence of its intent to redress
past wrongs.
It is outside the fundamental moral question to argue that Rus-
sia possesses great natural resources with a vast potentiality of trade
and industry, or that world capital and world ability ventured in
Russia could raise the living standards and the welfare of one hun-
dred and fifty million Russians from their present subnormal level.
Such aids can be rendered only on a basis of mutual confidence.
Our government cannot, by recognition, encourage our people to
venture persons and property in Russian development while previous
seizures of American property still stand without restitution or
compensation, nor can it enter into relations demanding mutual
respect and confidence so long as there are grounds for suspicion
of Soviet propaganda encouraging sedition and disloyalty. (Reso-
lution, Fourteenth Annual Meeting, 1926.)
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