The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-15
TRADE IN THE ORIENT.
Russia's influence Has Been Favorable to
the United States.
AN INTERVIEW WITH Mr. J. 7. FLYNN
He Tells of the Trade Russia Has
Placed mt the Disposal or
American Merchants.


Washington, April 1o.--one OF the
topics of the capital during the past two
weeks has been the answer of the several
European powers to the presidents note OF
inquiry as to their probable policy in the
Orient. This being subject of trade.
has attracted more than ordinary atten-
tion in commercial circles and upon the
whole is viewed with Indifferent satisfac-
ton.
In speaking Of the matter today J. I.
Flynn of San Francisco, who has been
here for the past two weeks in the in
terest Of the Russian American CONNER
cial company. said: THE answer OF Rus
sia, Germany France and Italy 10 the
presidents note OF inquiry, as to their
probable policy in the Orient. while ex-
plicit and couched in the most friendly
terms. explains nothing which has not
been known from the very day OF Euro
pean occupation in China, These powers
have simply repeated what they publicly
said at the time of their entrance into
the Orient There has been no attempt,
much as has been said to the contrary,
on the part of these powers to disturb ex-
listing treaties or to restrict American in
terests. The only exception in this cass
is on the part of Great Britain.
! while it is generally understood that
the step taken by this government in the
matter of the open door policy was
actuated by British influences, It is graft
flying to note that the administration in
directing those inquiries, included Great
Britain in the category. This came some
what in the nature Of surprise; the pur-
pose was to put this government in the
position of National iuquisitor without
including in that inquisitiou our chief
commercial competitor. So far as the
Russian government is concerned | eau
say authoritatively that II has entertained
no feeling for the United States In the
Orient or elsewhere, which has not been
in keeping with its traditional friendship.
fact that since Russia's occupation of
China, some four or five years ago, Amer
lean trade has increased to the amount
Of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Studied attempts have been made to
make it appear that Russian influence in
the Orient was a menace to American
trade, but the facts reveal reverse state
of affairs. Instead OF placing an en-
barge upon our goods as other countries
have done, Russia at this moment and
ever since Its occupation OF China has
pursued policy with reference to those
goods which practically makes the fig
urative open door swing back into the
face of British merchants.
Under its tariff regulations. a territory
larger In area than that of the United
States, has been placed at the free dis
posal Of American manufacturers. This
extends from Port Arthur on the Pacific
shores to the heart of Siberia. distance
of over 1000 miles. BY its voluntary act
an act which antedates the note referee
to by about FIVE years, Russia has placed
at the disposal OF American merchants
the trade of 2O,0OOOOO of people in lis
Manchurian province, and 10000 900 more
in the empire proper, a total equivalent
TO the whole population of Europe. With
in the limits of that territory, American
goods are admitted absolutely free OF duty
with the exception Of a few cotton man
ufactures, alcohol, grape wine and grape
products, and petroleum and its by
products.
THE small embargo placed upon these
goods. as a means of protecting home in
dustries, is in accordance with the pros
tective tariff spirit of the United States.
In addition to affordlng market within
its boundaries for American goods Rus
STA has been a most liberal purchaser it
self. the outlay for railway supplies alone,
up to this time amounting to hundreds of
millions OF dollars. To further show the
friendly spirit of that government
might say that loan of
S25, 900 900 was recently effected
with the New York Security and Trust
company. this money to remain In the
United States subject to the draft OF Its
financial agent for the purchase of needed
supplies Many of the articles included
in this list of purchases are Manufactured
in Great Britain and could have been pur-
chased there in many cases at a lower
figure, but the preference has been given
to America,
THE attitude OF the Russian govern
ment IN lniS matter may DC thhtu DO dh
index to the industrial possibilities OF the
United States, and particularly the West
upon the completion of the great Trans
Siberian railway system, which brings the
north pole within a ten days ride OF the
Mediterranean. By this great highway
the United States is given a new inlet to
the markets of Europe Instead OF paying
tribute to London and Liverpool, as is now
the case, both in brokerage and In freignt-
age, we will do business direct with the
consumers in Europe. And il requires
no stretch OF the imagination to see the
effect that this new highway will have
upon the commerce OF America. In less
than fftean months the last spike OF the
worlds greatest railway viii have been
driven and the prophecy of Peter the
Great fulfilled
Within FIVE years from that date there
will be no less than fifty ocean liners ply
ing between San Francisco. Portland,
Seattle and the western terminus of the
new Siberian railway. During the first
twenty years OF the internal development
OF the Siberian empire, a valuable market
will be afforded for every line Of Amer
lean manufacturer after that develop
ment has been reached. It win become one
OF economic exchange.
siberia is a country capable OF pro-
ducing vast quantities of wheat aud cot
4 -. 49, Z