The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-26
ASKS RECIPROCITY.
Countries, II Commencing 20 Fear
That She VIII he 1T DIsaavansase
Usiess Given Special Prtvslexes,

WASHINGTON. Nov 2s.-Relatfye 70
Che statement attributed to Count Mura-
uje6. the Russian minister OF foreign af-
fsirs. that the propr!eiy OF remodeling the
tysde treaty Of Isz2 between tho United
States and Russia was now under consid-
Asztion, II Is learned that about two months
aso this movement WIS initiated by the
Russian embassy here. The success OF the
French government In negotiating a reel
procify treaty was probably the Incentive
10 the Russian move. From the number
and scope % 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
at conclusion under the bread constitution
ai power OF the president. IL began TO ap-
pear that European nation unfortunate
enough 10 be omitted from the list Of priv
legged nations would be at q great disad-
vantage in continuing its trade with the
United States.
This fact frat dawned upon the German
government, and IL has been endeayoring.
thus far without success, to obtain u re-
ciprocity treaty, the obstacle being TIE TN
compromising attitude of the German
sgra,1an interest against the United States
meat and provision treaty, and this prom
ises to be modified by the reichstag IL the
future. Russia was the next power to see
The advantages OF rem9deling her trade
arrangements with the United States, and
the first overtures In that direction were
notes about two months ago. The matter
has not moved very speedily, and IL - not
get possible 10 forecast the exact form the
new arrangement; will take. It may be,
- Indicated by Count Muraylesf, reyi-
sion OF the trade treaty of 1872 or the
two governments may decide to frame
pure reciprocity treaty under tho general
terms OF the Dinghy act, such as was
made with France, though owing TO the
expiration OF the term allowed by the act
tor the completion of such agreements and
treaties. this one may be drawn up under
the reserved powers of the executive. and
% be free of special limitations as to
scope. II Ii surmisea that the deliberate
progress being made In the present In
stance is due in part to the difficulty OF
ending articles of trade between the Unit
ed States and Russia which may advant-
ageously be- made the subject of dininu-
tons on duties. This Is owing to the fact
that both parties are To a great extent
agricultural countries. and the necessity
OF protecting such products. as well as the
producers of raw material. In view or this
the basis Of exchanges will lie difficult to
reach.
The Indications of rather formidable
opposition to the approval by gha senate
or the French reciprocity treaty has Civ
state department who have had much to
dc with the negotiations. This treaty
was perfected with the greatest difficulty
and was In itself regarded as the means
or restoring the good will and cordially
between the United States and France,
which had undergone a severe strain dur
ing the last two years. Its failure IL ia
said, would be most unfortunate and the
oMcials are prepared 70 show 20 the SEN
ate by statistics that the United States
has secured all OF the advantages from "A
purely economic point of view that could
be expected. having regard to fair treat
ment OF France.
The state department has, I'm fact. pre-
pared 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 IL shall lump all of
these arrangements and treaties Ia n
general argument and statement or shall
make each the subject Of separate Yepre-
seniatfons. because the number OF
the treaties ana arrangements which have
been negotiated since the adjournment OF
the last congress number far In excess of
the most sanguine advocates of reciproc-
ity In the state department. IL would APP
pear that the latter course would impose
great labor upon the department, and IL
may be from consideration OF this fact
that tho conventions Will he turned into
the senate an msssc and left 10 rely for
support upon the strong representations
which the president VIII make upon this
subject IN his annual message.