Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-09
NOT SEEKING A LOAN
1T IS DENIED THAT RUSSIA IS TRY
ING TO BORROW MONEY.
Has No Intention of Ordering More
Warships In America State
ment by Mr.. ROutkOwsky.

Mr.. Routkowsky, financial secretary of
the Russian embassy. has recently returned
from st. Petersburg, where he had an OPP
portunity to confer with the Russian min
lister of finance. Mr.. De Witt, and TO learn
from the imperial authorities the satistac-
tory condition of Russian finances. On his
return, Mr.. Routkowsk was somewhat sur
prised to see 1t reported that Russia was
seeking to place loans in the United States.
He promptly went to Wall street and there
advised the most responsible financiers that
no such investment was contemplated. The
rumors continue to circulate, however SO
that Mr.. Routkowski gives publicity TO the
following official communication which he
has recently received from the imperial
minister of finances of Russia:
Not Seeking a Loan.
In view of the rumors which begin to
circulate again in the foreign press about
the suggested negotiations by the imperi al
Russian government of a loan, the ministry
of finance considers 1t necessary to de-
clare once more that the imperial Russian
government is neither contemplat ting nor
disposed to negotiate loans of any kind. the
Ordinary revenues and the free cash re-
serve of the treasury being more than suf-
nc ent to meet all expenses, not only ordi
nary, but also the eXtraord. nary, necessi
tated by the events in the far east.
All the rumors concerning the Russian
loan are circulated probably by interests
which a the same time, and without sue
cess have made offers to the ministry of
finance"
Mr.. Routkowski also saw the Russian
minister Of finance at Paris. At that point,
as well as in America stories of loans were
set afioa, and NJ. De Witt good naturedly
remarked that he would remain there only
on condition that he was not bothered by
these groundless stories of Russian loans.
The free cash reserve referred to is a
distinct fund. of which a considerable sur
plus comes over from last year
VIII Not Order More Ships.
Mr.. Routkowski was asked as to the re-
cent report from New York that Russia
would place orders amounting to $4,000, 900
for four new battle ships. to be built in
American shpyards.
THE Russian government does not at
present contemplate any further additions
to her armament" said he. IAN appropria-
ton of $50, 100000 was made available some
time ago for armament purposes, and the
splendid ships Variag and Ratvan, built
at Philadelphia, were part of the result of
that expenditure. But there has been
further sum set aside for armament, nor
Is there any present purpose to invest in
more warShipS and armament. So that the
reported order of four more ships from
American yards is incorrect. But l am
quite sure the American yards would re-
ceive most favorable consideration If
further orders were to be placed, our
naval officials speak in the highest terms
of the ships just completed. They not only
come up to requirements, but exceed them.
and they are tribute to American en-
terprise and manufacturing ability. Please
bear in m nd, however, that while there is
no need of further ships from American
yards, yet Russia is buying enormous
amounts of American products, for railway
construction, manufacturing and the ex-
tensive internal development which is go
more than s20,0Oo,0o0. and is widely dis
trbuted among American industries"