The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-26
UNCLE SANS MANY TREATIES
THEY HAVE BEEN DRAWN SINCE
ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS
And VIII he Passed on by the Sem
ate--OppOsition Is Feared by
the state Department..

Washington, November 25,-Relative to
the statement attributed to Count Mura-,
vieff. the Russian minister of foreign
affairs that the propriety of remodeillng
the trade treaty of 1882 between the United
States and Russia, was now under consid-
Grafton it is learned that about two
months ago this movement was initiated
b. the Russian embassy here, The sue
cess OF the French government in re-
ciprooity treaty was probably the ipeen-
tive TO the Russian movement. From
the number and scope of the reciprocity
agreements and special treaties which have
bsen drawn up under the terms of the
Dingley tariff act, besides these which are
nearing the point OF conclusion under tho
broad constitutional powers OF the pres
ident it began to appear thar European
nation unfortunate enough 10 be omitted
from the list Of privileged nations. would
be at great disadvantage in continuing
it's trade with the United States. This
fact dawned upon Che German government
and 1t has been underwriting though 80
! far without success. TO obtain reciprocl-
/ ~ treaty the obstacle being the uncom-
promising attitude OF the German agra
rian interests against American meats aud
provisions 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
arrangements with the United States and
the first overtures in this direction were
noted about two months ago.
The matter has not moved very speedily
and 1t IS not yes possible to forecast The
oN,un tha, will q
1t may be. as indicated, by Count Mura-
vietf a revision OF the trade treaty of 1882
or the tWo governments may decide 10
frame "A pure reciprocity treaty under the
general terms OF the Dingley nei such
as was made With France, though OWING
to the expiration of the term allowed by
the act OF the completion of such agree
ments and treaties, one may be drawn Up
under the reserved powers of the executive
and so be free OF special limitations as
to scope, 1t is surmised that the de-
liberate progress being made In the pres
ent instance is due in part to the difficulty
of finding articles OF trade between the
United States and Russia which may adj
vantageously be made the subject of
dimnudons in duties. This is owing
TO the fact that both parties are to
great extent agricultural countries and
under the necessity OF protecting such
products as we'll. as the producers OF raw
material. In view OF this the basis OF
exchanges will be difficult to reach.
me indications OF rather formidable Oh,
position to the approval by the senate OF
| The French reciprocity treaty has gigen
some concern to the officials OF the state
department who have had much to do with
its negotiations This treaty was FER
fected with the greatest difficulty and was
in Itself regarded as the means o, rsstor-
Ing the good will and cordially between
al GtafA ma Ero M n xutt 4, l.
undergone a severe strain during tn l&st
Two years Its failure now, 1t Is sal at
the state department, would be most un-
fortunate, and the officials are prepared TO
sh to the senate by statistics tAat The
United States has secured all OF the al.
vantages from purely eeanom cal p in,
OF law, that could be expected having
regard to lair treatment OF France. The
state department has, In fact, prepared IT.
self on a large scale for defense OF he
treaties and arrangements which mist 20
before congress during the apr aching
session, The only question still open is
whether II shall lump all q these arrange
ments and treaties in general argument
and statement or shall make each the sub
ject OF separate representations.
Because OF the number OF the treaties
and arrangements which have been nero.
iiated since the adjournment OF the last
congress q number far In excess OF tue
most sanguine advocates of reciprocity ar
rangements In the state department. It
would appear that the latter course would
impose great labor upon the department,
and II may he from consideration of This
fact that the conventions Will be tune
into the senate en- masse and lief, 70 r,ly
for support upon the strong representa-
tlons which the president viii make npon
these subjects IN his annual message.