New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-18
R. P. PORTER'S RETURN.
SAYS GERMANY Is FRIENDLY TO AMER
ICAN ESTS-CONDITIONS
IN RUSSIA

IN RUSSIA.
Robert p Porter arrived here the American
liner New-York yesterday Since February last
Mr.. Porter has visited France Germany, ltaiy ana
Russia. investigating the trade and economic con-
ditions OF those countries When he was asked on
his arrival what were the results of his mission
abroad. he replied that little more could be said
about Germany than had already been stated In
the Ur.ted States papers.
II in Berlin again three weeks ago. on my
way from st. Petersburg to Paris" he said. THE
German Government is not unfrlendly to American
interests. and desires to treat us with absolute
justice, II not with consideration. The various
meat Investigations and the political capital winch
has been made out OF them by American news
papers have done our interests more Injury. not
only in Germany. but in all the six European coun-
tries-England. Germany France. Italy, Belgium
and Holland-which | have visited. than all the
foreign Influences put together. Whatever may
come therefore. have no one but ourselves to
blame. Unless efforts are made TO disabuse the
European mind OF some OF these nbellous charges
against American meat a whole. the loss or
this trade Will range from s20.0ooOo to $SOOWo
per annum. 1t must be borne in mind that only
the widest and most exaggerated statements find
their way into the foreign prints The effect VIII
be TO shun our products and that Is just what
the Agrarian press OF the entire Continent wants.
Those foreign officials in Germany and elsewhere.
therefore, who willing to accord us justice nave
a difficult and thankless task. They constantly
met with extracts from journals ana
declarations of own statesmen and officials to
the effect that our meat is bad. Further comment
is unnecessary.
"I suppose we can retaliate. but that will not
improve matters very much when the real injury
to our commercial relations has been worked at
home rather than abroad. The true remedy. as
see IT, Is absolute integrity In the killing packing
nd of and
strictest supervision OF our products before they
are shipped abroad II foreigners are made 10
realize that In all this talk about American meat
unjust and false most OF II has been-our people
have learned a practical lesson namely, that non
esty is the best policy. may counteract the
strong work which the European interests nave
been putting In against us. Incidentally 1t may
be advisable TO have II understood that some or
our own criticisms are being grossly exaggerated
Speaking of Russia Mr.. Porter said:
Economically. Russia is most fascinating
study was treated with the greatest considera-
ton and met personally not only the leading
statistcians and economists. but men like NJ
Witte Prince Hilkon and others who are I'M
portant factors in the direction of the affairs or
the Empire Our new Ambassador Mr. Chare-
magne Tower, has taken hold OF matters at ST.
Petersburg and will become one OF the most capa-
BILE and influential OF the members Of our present
strong diplomatic service My interview with VI.
Witte the Russian Minister OF Finance, was both
interesting and important. But, OF course can
not speak OF the questions discussed or repeat
what was said NJ. Witte, with other officials.
has granted me every facility for the study OF
the economic conditions of the Empire. and that
work I shall take up, with a view OF completing
my Inquiries some time In 1900 The work on
Economic Russia at the Close Of the Century
will I think, be useful 10 the English-speakng
countries.
THE Russian Government. representing as 1t
~ ma. fxth
OF all the land of the globe. and resources as
varied and abundant those OF the United States.
is not engaged. some seem 10 think In n policy
OF aggression against tho rest OF the world. but
in a work OF uniting In one compact mass large
number OF people from the shores OF the Baltic
and Black seas to those OF the Pacific Ocean"
As to the extent Of the Russian railways. Mr..
Porter said
with the roads under construction COM
pleted Russia will start the new century with
forty thousand miles OF railways. and this in an
empire whose resources If properly developed. and
whose population, If prohtably employed, could
easily support many miles Of railways as we
have In the United States. OF course the miles Of
roads Russia has and will have. when the roads
now In course Of construction completed. cover
more territory than similar mileage In the United
States There Is paralleing, but few double
tracks the system being planned by central au-
thority bent upon uniting the distant parts OF the
empire and reaching all possible outlets for a ma
ton hemmed in by many other countries. The
effect OF the extension Of railways has been tre-
mendous migration OF population from the more
thickly populated regions TO its Eastern empire
Siberia-whch corresponds TO our great West. In
twenty-five years something over 10000 Russians
and Poles have emigrated TO the United States, In
the last ten years more than that number. possibly
a million. have settled with their families In TINS
land of wide opportunities Thus II VIII be seen
that a large migration is going on within the Hus,
sian Empire Itself. Last month the Car apoHSheu
forever the sending OF political and other offenders
caffI ont frO
of his empire ~ -, -. ~, por
'Will the railways pay?' was asked OF MT Por-
ter. , . L.. o,o
Undoubtedly the Russian railways to-day are
the country's most important assets, ana as de-
goes on will become more productive
Profits have Increased since 1891 TO last year from
81 30 600 OcO TO s3O00lOOo0 The passenger rates are
very low accommodations on the main roads are
good but much remains 10 be done 10 facilitate
lower traffic on freights. - >, , t.
prince Hilkof whom met In st. Petersburg -
Ninister OF Public Works. He is practical inau'
and learned his trade with the Baldwin Locomo-
tive Works in Philadelphia. He Is thoroughY
equipped in American railway methods IN L"eiNI
Years the passenger traffic IN Russia has Increased
nearly 30 per cent That tells Its own story; froo-
ably 81 10000 900 is involved in Russian ralI"ayso
"The Russians most friendly with the Aheii III
cans and both at St Petersburg and MOSCOW tne
husiness and commercial interests expressed nope
Worlds Fair at Paris next year would De move.
either to one the other OF these great
the exhibitors consent TO do TINS IL VIII x, e"'''
enhance our busness relations with Russia
KEyTLCKY FAMILY FEUD EXTENDING.
ny