The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-26
ASKS TO REMODEL
TRADE TREATY
Russia Desires Reclprocity-Some DIE
flculty Is Expected - French
Treaty In Danger.

Washington, Nov. 25.-Relative to
the statement attributed to Count Mu-
ravieff, the Russian minister of for
eign affairs, that the propriety of re-
modelling the trade treaty of 1882 be-
tween the United States and Russia
was under consideration, it is learned
about two months ago this movement
was initiated by the Russian embassy
here. The success of the French gov
ernment in negotiating reciprocity
treaty was probably the incentive TO
the Russian move. From the number
and scope Of 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 Of conclusion un-
der the broad constitutional power of
the president, it began to appear that
a European nation unfortunate enough
to be omitted from the list of privileg-
ed nations would be at a great disad-
vantage in continuing it's trade with
the United States.
This fact first dawned upon the Ger
man government and it has been en-
deavoring thus far without success to
obtain a reciprocity treaty the OBJ
stacle being the uncompromising atti-
tude of the German agrarian interest
against the United States meat and
provision treaty, and this promises to
be modified by the reichstag in the flu
ture. Russia was the next power to
see the advantage of remodeling her
trade arrangements with the United
States, and the first overtures in that
direction We're notes about two months
ago. The matter has not moved very
speedily and it is not yet possible to
forecast the exact form the new ar
rangement will take. 1t may be, as
indicated by Count Muravieff, revis-
ion of the trade treaty of 1882, or the
two governments may decide to frame
pure reciprocity treaty under the
general terms of the Dingley act, such
as was made with France, though oW-
ing to the expiration of the term al
lowed by the act for the completion Of
such agreements and treaties this 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 deliberate pro-
sress being made in the present in
stance is due in part to the difficulty OF
finding articles Of trade between the
United States and Russia which may
advantageouSly he made the subjects
of diminutions in duties. This is ow-
ing to the fact that both parties are to
great extent agricultural countries,
and the necessity of protecting such
products as well as the producers of
raw materials. In view of this the
basis of exchanges will be difficult to
reach.
The indication of rather formidable
opposition by the senate to the French
reciprocity treaty has given some con-
Germ to the officials of the state depart
ment who have much to do with the ne
gotiations. This treaty was perfected
with the greatest difficulty and was in
itself regarded as the means of restor-
ing the good will and cordiality between
the United States and France which
has undergone a severe strain during
I the last two years. Its failure, it is
said, would be most unfortunate, and
the officials show to the senate by sta
tistics that the United States has Sc
cured all Of the advantages from a
| purely economic point of view that
could be expected, having regard to
fair treatment of France.
The state department has, in fact,
| prepared itself on a 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
statement or shall make each the sub
ject of separate representations. Be
cause of the number Of treaties and ar
rangements which have been negoiat-
ed since the adjournment of the last
congress, number far in excess of the
expectations of the most sanguine ad-
vocates of reciprocity arrangements in
the state department, it would appear
that the latter course would impose
great labor upon the department and
itmay be from consideration of this fact
that the conventions will be turned into
the senate en- masse and left to rely for
support upon the strong representations
which the president will make upon this
subject in his annual message.