The times., 1899-04-28
MR.. P0RTER,S MISSION.
He Talks of His Enquiries into Euro
pcaU Commerce.

London. April 27.-Mr. Robert P. Porter
who has been on the Continent for some
time studying the European commercial
situation in the interests of the United
States, arrived in London this morning.
MT. Porter spent several weeks in Ger
many, Italy, and France. In Germany he
said. he had found the situation most COM
piicated for the reason that the agrarinns
were unwarrantably alarmed because of the
large increase in American importations.
They did not realize that the importat'oIs
were largely of raw material. On the other
band the feeling in Germany is better than
it was three months ago.
He heard the kindest expressions and
opinions in favor of amicable commercial
relations with the United States. Mr.. Per-
ter visited Herr Won Buelow, Ministr: Of
Foreign Affairs; Count Posadowsky-W Wehn-
er. Minister of the Imperial Treasury, and
other important German economists, all of
when realized that the American trade
was really largely on the basis of German
manufactures. which case is similar
throughout Europe. The Germans Mr.
Porter says, are now asking for perma-
nent. up-to-date commercial treaty With
the United States covering the whole en-
pire, instead of the present ancient treaties
with separate duchies.
Mr.. Porter spent three weeks in Italy,
where he met Signor Forts. Italian Min
lister of Commerce. American trade with
| Italy, he says, is in the best condition.
The Italians are most friendly in every
| respect toward the United States and the
| imports and exports of the two countries
| are evenly balanced. Italy desires a few
notifications, and would gladly enter into
commercial treaty with the United States.
/ The relations of France with the United
States are very satisfactory. although occa-
sionally retalitary legislation is threat
| ened.
THE Importance to all European indus
| tries of American raw materials" said
| Mr.. Porter, sis so great that when any of
our interests are threatened there is
always a large body ready to defend them.
! to Europe that it is almost impossible for
| the Continental countries to threaten US
with adverse legislation without injuring
| home interests"
| Mr. Porter felt that in order to finish his
| enquiries it would be important that he
should go to Russia, which, next to the
United States itself and its outside pos
sessions. is the most vast and important
| of the worlds territories for development.
Russia's greatest need is additional cap
ital. ''The United States knows how to
| develop Russia" said Mr.. Porter. better
than any other country" He expressed
his opinion that within the next year Rus
sia would look toward the United States
not only to supply her with machinery,
but to aid in many other directions.
IF Europe's ablest financier. NJ. De
Witte, is seeking money, enterprise and
experience for this development" Mr.. Por-
ter added. lit seems to me that the United
States should supply them. l think most
| desirable thing would be business al
| lance with Russia"
Mr.. Porter will start on his W., to Rus
sia next Wednesday. meeting MS wife in
Berlin. He intends to seriously study Rus
sian economics and place his reports at the
disposal of President Mckinley.