The St. Louis Republic., 1901-02-20
BUSINESS CONCESSIONS
LOST TO AMERICANS.
BOTH SIDES OF THE
SUGAR CONTROVERSY.

. ported sugar subject to counter !,
q vaiiing duty. Z
q Russias contentious: =
q Russia pays no money out Of her
. Treasury for the benefit Of exported Z
. sugar. The refunding OF internal q
. taxes on reserve stocks Of sugar
q prior to expectation is not q bounty Z
q on sugar Q
,1><>>><A<>><><<<> q
Is known. there is no actual payment out
| or the Treasury for the benefit of exported
sugar. directly or indirectly. except posi-
bly, the refunding of such internal taxes as
may have been paid on reserve stocks prio'
Russia. under these circumstances.
claims that the fifth section OF our tariff
act has no application whatever TO the
russian system In respect TO sugar. On
the other hand. the competing European
, countries claim that the Russian system Is
substantially like their own. and Is as much
an inuirect bounty as are their respective
systems. and SO decided I'm the International
Sugar Conference held a year or two ago.
Sugar Barons Have Been busy.
IN addition to the pressure OF these
European countries upon the Secretary, the
sugar monopolists Of this country have filled
his ear with their own special views, and
the situation too uncertain and enlbarrass-
ing for him to assume the responsibility for
countervailing duty. an importer could
promptly appeal the case to the Board OF
Appraisers and then. II necessary. to the
District Court of the United States In New
York. He therefor made decision in
order to secure judicial Interpretation of
the meaning OF the fifth section Of the
This. he thought, ought TO have been
satisfactory to Russia but the Russian Min
ister of Finance took action without wait
ing for full advice from the Russian EN-
Dassy here. or from this Government In re-
spett TO the confederation chat controlled
the case.
1T can only be hoped now that the first
arrival of Russian sugar shall furnish &C.
ca sion for prompt decision OF the ones
tion. which, in the opinion of our ablest
lawyers. is likely to be favorable TO Rus
sia.
Count Cassini. the Russian Ambassador
discussing the situation. said:
know that the United states are not
going out Of their way to force trade con,
hict. and l am confident, from all that
want. N nor has She any Intention OF en-
saging I'm tariff war with the United
States. The situation. as We find It to-day.
/ should criticize the oficers Of this Gov
ernmeht II were SO minded. and ! dis
tinctIy disclaim any intention Of so doing.
apprehension In this country. due to misin
formation that has reached the department
having customs matters in charge. can
of contradiction. that my Government does
not pay q bounty upon sugar exported to
this country. either directly or Indirectly.
Was Not Dictated by Revenge.
The action of Russia was not dictated
by desire for revenge. Such spirit could
not exist in the minds Of Russian officials.
The application of maximum rates on Amer
lean iron and steel and their manufactures
and machinery and tools. of which you ex-
port to our country such large amounts.
was not caused by any desire to embark
upon a policy OF retaliation. My Govern
ment and the Russian people regret that
II was necessary to impose these higher
rates on American manufactures. and the
increased duties will doubtless be felt In
Russia, where American manufactures are
appreciated. not only because Of the cheap
nese Of the product, compared with the cost
in other markets. but because of the su-
periority of the article ard It's ability to
excel the product OF competitive natlona
This Is business proposition. While l
regret that my Government was forced in
to 1t. I do not see how 1t could have taken
any other action. The whole matter WILL l
hope. soon be fixed up so that there can be
no friction.