The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-26
RECIPROCITY IN A
RUSSIA Is THE LATEST NATION TO
ASK FOR A NEW TREATY.
German Agrarians Stand I'm the Way
Other Reciprocal Agreements.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25-Relative to the
statement attributed to Count Muravieff.
the Russian minister OF foreign affairs,
that the propriety Of remodeling the trade
treaty of 1892 between the United States
n Russia was now under consideration.
it is learned that about two months ago
this movement was initiated by the Rus
sian embassy here. The success of the
French government in negotiating a reci-
procity treaty was probably the incentive
to the Russian move. From the number
and scope of the reciprocity agreements
and special treaties which have been drawn
up under the terms of the Dingley tariff
act, besides those which are nearing the
point of conclusion under the broad consti-
tutional powers of the President, 1t began
to appear that a European nation unfortu-
nate enough to be omitted from the list of
privileged nations would be at a great dis
advantage in continuing trade with the
United States. This fact first dawned upon
the German government, and 1t has beer
~endeavoring, though so far without success,
to obtain a reciprocity treaty, the obstacle
being the uncompromising attitude of the
German Agrarian interests against the
United States meat n provision trade,
though this pomises to be modified by the
Reichstag in the near future. Russia was
the next power to see the advantage of re-
modelling her trade arrangements with the
United States, and .ne first overtures in
that direction were noted about two months
ago. The matter has not moved very speed
lily, and it is not yet possible TO forecast
the exact form the new arrangement will
take. 1t may be, as indicated by Count
Muravieff, a revision of the trade treaty Of
1882, or the two governments may decide to
frame a pure reciprocity treaty under the
general terms of the Dingley act, such as
was made with France. though, owing to
the expiration of the term allowed by the
act for the completion of such agreements
and treaties, this one may be drawn up I'M
der the reserved powers of the executive,
and so be free from special limitations as
to scope. 1t is surmised that the deliberate
progress being maue in the present in
stance is due in part to the difficulty of
finding articles OIL trace between the United
States and Russia which may advanta-
geously be made the subject of diminutions
in duties. This is owing to the fact that
both parties are to a great extent agricul-
tural countries and under the necessity of
protecting such products as Wen as the
producers of raw material. In view of this
the basis of exchanges will be difficult to
reach.
The indications of rather formidable oppo-
sition TO the approval by the Senate of the
French reciprocity treaty has given some
concern to the officials of the State Depart
ment who have had much to do with it's
negotiation. This treaty was perfected with
the greatest difficulty and was in itself re-
garded as the means of restoring the good
will and cordially between the United
states and France, which had undergone a
severe strain during the last two years. Its
failure now, ii is said at the State Depart
ment, would be most unfortunate, and the
officials are prepared to show to the Senate
by statistics that the United States has Sc
cured all the advantages from a purely
economical point of view that could be ex-
| pected, having regard to fair treatment of
France. The State Department has, in fact,
prepared itself on a large scale for the de-
Tense of the treaties and arrangements
which must go before Congress during the
approaching session.. The only question still
open is whether it shall lump all these ar
engagements and treaties In a general argu-
ment and statement or shall make each the
subject of separate representations. Be-
cause Of the number Of the treaties and ar
rangements which have been negotiated
since the adjournment OF the last Congress,
a number far in excess of the most sanguine
advocates of reciprocity arrangements in
the State Department, it would appear that
the latter course would impose great labor
upon the department., and Ii may be from
consideration Of this fact that the conven-
tons will be turned into the Senate en
masse and left TO rely for support upon the
strong representations which the President
will make upon this subject in his annual
| moCSaOo .f.