The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-06-22
STUDYING AMERICA.
Interesting Visit of Russian Finan-
cial Magnate.

NEW YORK, June 14.-M. Rothstein.
the st. Petersburg financier whose con-
ferenceS with Wall street bankers this
week have given rise to rumors that
the object of his visit to the United
States was to make arrangements for
floating a new Russian Government
loan here or for establishing a Russian
bank in this city, has really come to
this country for neither of these ends,
as appears from an authorized inter-
view with him. In this interview M.
Rothstein says:
Il have come to America for the first
time to examine into your wonderful
development in the different fields of
production. 1t seemed to me that this
development had only begun, and that
the future of your country was one of
extraordinary promise in all the fields
of international commerce. l come as
a private citizen and not as the agent
of any one else. l hope to establish in
innate relations with some leading
banks and banking firms here that will
enable one of the banks under my direc-
tion to benefit itself while assisting you,
particularly in promoting your COM
mercial relations with China. The dis
orders reported from China are not of
great significance. The Boxers consist
of not many robbers. who will have to
be extermnated. Then peace will re-
turn and commerce will expand. There
will be no war between the powers over
China. The incident furnishes inter-
esting reading matter for the newspa-
pers. 1t is not of great permanent sig
nificance."
Asked as to the prospect of Russia s
the United States, NJ. Rothstein an
swered:
II do not think there will be any loan
negotiated in Europe by Russia. The
Minister of Finance. NJ. Witte, esti-
mates his budget with great care so as
to avoid disturbance of business any
Iwhere throughout our large domain OF
elsewhere, and the budget is made to
fit within the income of the empire
(which amounts to 1,5S0;000 900 roubles q
year. 1t is true that extraordinary eX-
ipenses have been undertaken insRussia
such as building the Siberian Railroad
and buying steel cruisers in the United
States, but these don't exceed the bud
get of the preceding year, so that. in
reality, expenditures have been kept
within the limit of a years income and
no loan will be necessary. The Rus
sian Government does not seek loar
here or elsewhere. The 100000 000 loar
placed here last winter was intended
as an act of friendship largely. l my
self offered to take from NJ. Witte g
large block of the same bonds to be
sold in France and Germany at the
Isame price and he would not part with
them.
There Is no country in the world
lexcept America with so great natura
resources to be developed and with
lsuch brilliant prospects as those o1
Russia. Loans made in Russia, wheth-
ed to the Government or to Russian
enterprises. are therefore advantageous
to the lender, for the present and pros
Ipective prosperity of the country In
Isures both principal and interest. Al
lpresent discount rates in Russia are
six and seven per cent If American
bankers should offer of their abundan,
funds to NJ. Witte, have no doubt that
The would take the matter under con-
Isideration."