The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-26

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25-Relative to
the statement attributed to Count Mura-
Yieff, the Russian minister of foreign af-
fairs, that the propriety of remodeling
the trade treaty of 1882 between the
United States and Russia was now under
consideration, 1t is learned that about
two months ago this movement was ini-
tiated by the Russian embassy here. The
success of the French government in ne
gctiating a reciprocity treaty was prob
ably the incentive to the Russian move.
From the number and scope of the re-
ciprocity agreements and special treaties
which have been drawn up under the
terms of the Dingley tariff act, besides
these which are nearing the point Of
conclusion under the broad constitutional
powers of the president, 1t began to ap-
pear that an European nation unfnrtu-
nate enough to be omitted from the list
OF privileged nations would be at great
disadvantage in continuing its trade with
the United States This fact first dawned
upon the German government. and 1t
mas been endeaVoring, though so far with
out success, to obtain q reciprocity treaty
the obstacle being the uncompromising
attitude Of the German agrarian inter-
esrs against the United States meat and
provision trade, though this promises to
be modified by the reichstag in the near
future.
Russia was the next power to see the
advantages of remodeling her trade ar
rangements with the United States, and
the first overtures in that direction were
noted about two months ago. The mat
ter has not moved very speedily, and It
Is not yet possible to forecast the exact
FORM the new arrangements will take. It
may be- as indicated by Count Muravieft.
a revision Of the trade treaty of 1892 or
the two governments may decide to rren,a
pure reciprocity treaty under the gem
eraI terms Of the DIngley act. such 90
was made with France though. owing to
the expiration Of the term allowed by the
act LOT the completion of such agree
"ehts and treaties, this one may be drawn
up under the reserved powers of the ex
ocuuve, and SO be free of special tnnita-
rons as to scope.
II is surnised that the deliberate pro
gress being made in the present instance
ts due in part to the difficulty of findino
articles Of trade between the United
states and Russia which may advantage
ousY he made the subject of dimfnutions
IN duties. This IS owing to the fact that
ooth parties are to a great extent aeri-
cultural countries, and under the neces-
slty OF protecting such products as well
as producers Of raw material In view
or this, the basis Of exchange will be- Diff
f1cult to reach.
FRENCH TREATY IN DANGER.
The indications of rather formidable oo-
position to the approval by the senate of
the French reciprocity treaty, has given
some concern to the officials of the state
department, who have had much to do
With Its negotiation. This treaty was ne~
rected with the greatest difficulty. and
was IN itself regarded as the means of
restoring the good will and cOrdtalitv he
tween the United States and France
which had undergone severe strain dur
ing the last two years. Its failure now
II is said at the state department, would
De most unfortunate, and the officials are
prepared to show to the senate by sta
tistics that the United States has secured
all of the advantages from a purely
economic point Of view that could be ex-
pected, having regard to fair treatment
OF France. The state department has in
TACT, prepared itself on large scale for
the defense of the treaties and arrange
ments which must go before congress
during the approaching session. The only
question still open is whether it shall
lump all of these arrangements and
treaties in a general argument and state
ment, or shall make each the subject of
Ia boz