No Admittance

Many a volume might be written on why this country has not recognized Soviet Russia; in fact, a whole history of U. S. foreign policy could be appended. Four fundamentals of U. S. precedent in recognizing foreign governments are: 1) The government desiring recognition must be in de facto control; 2) There must be apparent popular acquiescence of the de facto government; 3) It must "manifest a disposition" to fulfill its international obligations; 4) It must have secured its power by constitutional means. (Policy No, 4 is a quibble, since scarcely any existing governments have attained power without some sort of "revolution" --although later, as in the case of the U. S., they may have been constitutionally "secured.")

It was on policy No. 3. that Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg relied for his refusal of entry to the U. S. to Mme. Alexandra Kollontai, Soviet Russia's Minister to Mexico who intended a tour through this Republic on her way to Mexico City. Secretary Kellogg classified her as "actively associated with the International Communist subversive movement," and hence not a fitting alien to be admitted. Under the present immigration law, he was entirely within his powers. Nevertheless, upon his head were heaped the vituperations of many a liberal, not the least of whom was Senator William E. Borah of Idaho, who is often--somewhat too optimistically--mentioned as a future Secretary of State should Mr. Kellogg resign.

Said the ebullient man from Idaho: "I am utterly opposed to the whole theory and policy upon which such proceedings seem to be based. . . . Here is a woman who has attained distinction in the diplomatic service and represents a Government which has been recognized by all the great powers of the earth except the United States. It seems to be thought that our institutions would not stand the strain. Are our institutions so frail or have we sacrificed and forever disregarded every tradition which once gave us a unique distinction among all nations?"