Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-14
GOSSIPFROM GOTHAM
A. Rothstein Discusses the Financial
Status of Russia.
MINIMIZES THE REVOLT IN CHINA
Ambassador Powell Clayton Talks
of Conditions in Mexico.
POPE FAVORS COR RIG N

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
NEW YORK, June Is, 1900.
Mr. A Rothstein one of the best-known
fnancers In the Russian empire, and who
was accredited upon his arrival with COM
ing here to place Russian loan, in the
course of an interview expressed his faith
in the boundless possibilities for both
americans and Russians N the commercial
development of China. 1t Is this, he says,
that leads him to visit this country now
He holds concessions of large tracts IN
Mongolia and also in Siberia He regards
the progress made by the United States
in manufactures little short of marvel
Gus and believes that American manufac-
turers will be able. better than those OF
any other nation. to supply the growing
markets of the east. Russia and the United
States are the two nearest neighbors OF
China among the civilized powers, and the
opening of China will be the opportunity of
each. He frankly admitted that the United
States are in advance of Russia in deVel-
oping their resources. and predicted an ex-
pansion of the commercial relations be-
tween Russia and the United states, as
we'll as between the United states ana
China.
"What do you think of the disorders re-
ported from Gilman" he was asked.
"'rhey are not of great. Significance was
the reply. The Boxers consist Of not
many robbers. who will have to be exter-
minated. Then peace will return and COM
merce will expand. There Will be no war
between the powers over China. The Incl
dent furnishes interesting reading matter
for the newspapers. 1t Is not of great per-
manent significance.
The London financial papers have been
predicting a $100,0S,OO0 Russian loan next
fall" remarked his interviewer.
Russia's Financial Status.
II do not think there will be any loan
negotiated in Europe by Russia replied
the banker. 1.-THE Russian minister or
finance, Mr.. White. estimates his budget
with great care, SO as to avoid disturbance
of business anywhere throughout our large
domain or elsewhere. and the budget Is
made to fit within the income of the en-
pire which amounts to 1,5SO.UOO0oo rubles
a year 1t Is true that extraordinary ex-
penses have been encountered in Russia,
such as building the Siberian railroad and
buying steel cruisers in the United states,
but these do not exceed the budget Oh lne
preceding year. 50 that in reality expendl-
lures have been kept within the limit OF
years income and no loan VITA Dc heces-
sary.
at has been said that your purpose in
coming to America was to arrange for
placing a Russian loan here.
THE Russian government does not seek
a loan here or elsewhere. replied MIR.
Rothstein. The Slo,oDo,oo0 loan placed here
last WINTER was lllltllutd fS dCt VI
friendship largely. l myself offered to
take from Mr.. Wit:e a large block OF the
same bonds to be sold in France and Ger
many at the same price, and he would not
part with them. At the same time, there
is TO other country in the world except
America with SO great natural resources
to lie developed and with such brilliant
prospects as those Of Russia Loans made
in Russia whether to the government or to
Russian enterprises are therefore advan-
tagcous to the lender for the present and
prospective prosperity of the country In
sures both principal and interest AT pres
ent discount rates in Russia are and
per cent. If American bankers should Of
fer of their abundant funds to Mr.. Witte
l have no doubt thai he would take the
matter under consideration.
Regarding the exports of gold from Rus
STA. occasionally reported in the cable dis
patches Mr.. Rothstein said that they were
not similar to those from this country TO
France. which are arranged between the
bankers If the gold were any other COM
modify. The recent exports of gold from
Russia, the contrary, are In payment
of debts contracted by the government
Russia has so much gold in its vaults that
each piere of money in circulation is pro
tected by about IFS per cent of the pre-
cious metal. The finance minister prefers
10 pay his governments debts in gold. be-
caUse it looks better. and when interest
charges are taken into account is slightly
cheaper.
Gen. Clayton on Mexico.
General Powell Clayton. ambassador Of
the United States to Mexico. is here
route to Arkansas. where he will enjoy
his leave of absence. He was asked to
give his opinion on the currency question.
based on his observations In q free silver
country.
..Oh. 1 think that question is dead as q
political issue" said he.
The effect of silver free coinage upon the
domestic industries. the wages Of labor and
the export and import trade Of Mexico has
been so thoroughly discussed with the
past four years that there is little new to
say abp-t it. One of the greatest evils Of
free y ge of silver in Mexico arises from
fluctuations In value For illustration. dur
ing one year of my residence there the
value of the Mexican silver dollar, when
compared with the American dollar ranged
from 40 to 4S cents. You can readily see
how difficult 1t must be for merchants and
business men who purchase from abroad to
transact business under such conditions"
IN