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agree to something else if we went through with this business of recognition? This was an exploratory conversation.

Then the President had an idea, and I don't know where he got it. He wanted Russia to agree to permit religious freedom and the free practice of religion. One of the things that the Americans were most disturbed about in what they had heard about Russia was this closing down of the churches, the driving out of the priests, the prohibition against going to church. I'm told today by informed persons that there never was a time when the Russian government totally prohibited the practise of religion, but certainly it was very nearly totally prohibited, it was very largely prohibited. The teaching of religion was totally prohibited. Children could not be instructed. Theological seminaries were closed. They may have permitted some churches to remain open, but most of them were closed. It was generally thought here that religious practise had been prohibited, or at least made do difficult that it was as good as prohibited. That had been very unpopular with the Americans. There was a great deal of irritation a bout that. They were called a Godless people.

Anyhow, Roosevelt was sensitive to public opinion on this, and I think to a certain extent he shared the popular disapproval, believing that any country that did not permit