The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-28
THE RUSSIAN TARIFF War.
Complications Threatened by the
Attitude Toward Finland.

The Gar said to BE THkiuE Steps to
Control the Custom Houses of the
Dependency So as to Discriminate
ASaiust American Iuports-An Of
fetal Enquiry Started by the
State Observation-Disclosures Elk. the
American Vice Consul, TO Be Call
ed Upon for a Report in the Matter
According to advices received here the
Russian tariff difficulty may be still fur
ther complicated by Russia's recent atti-
tude toward Finland. one of its dependen-
cies which for many years mas enjoyed
practically an independent form OF gov
erHment
Finland is a large importer of American
agricultural machinery and has always
been allowed by Russia to have it's own
custom houses and customs duties. 1t has
levied duties on imports from Russia, the
revenues being applied to the internal
government of the dependency. Russia
has now determined however TO make
Finland a part OF the Empire and d1sre-
gard the promises Of Alexander II who
sured Finland of an independent govern
ment with a separate constitution
The Gar. ii is said, has already taken
steps to break down the independence Of
Finland, the latest being the adoption Of
measures looking to an absolute Russian
control of the Finnish custom houses.
This would mean that Russia would apply
the same retaIiatory tariff duties on
American goods entering Finland from
the United States as coming into the EN-
pire This would undoubtedly work a
hardship upon the Firms. who have de
pended largely upon American machinery
and at times upon American wheat and
cereals
Already the people Of Finland have be-
gun 10 show their dissa 'isfaction at the
attitude of Russia, and at the last ses-
sion Of Congress Senator Mcmillan receiv-
ed petition from col
ony OF Firms in his State.
asking that this Government protest
against the conduct OF Russia toward the
dependency. An official enquiry has now
been started to ascertain just what reIa-
tons exist between Russia and Finland
as TO foreign commerce, with particular
attention to the question of the Ameri-
can exports into Finland. The object of
the enquiry is to ascertain whether or not
Russia is seeking to interfere with the
American trade with Finland and what
ground the Empire may have for such IN
reference It is very probable that Vic
tor Elk, the United States Vice Consul at
Helsingfors, the capital of Finland, viii
be called upon for a report on the situa-
ton.
A prominent Finn. who has been in this
country for several months. arranging for
the colonization Of a number OF Films, IS
authority for the statement that Finland
would welcome any international difficulty
Russia may have and stands ready to
give assistance to any Russian enemy
He declares that Finland has a standing
army Of 1900 men and, in case OF war.
could put 100000 men in the field. There
IS much disss stisfaction in Finland. owing
to the alleged failure OF the present Rus
sian ruler to regard the promises Of his
predecessors, but has sought in ev-
cry way possible to disregard them He
says that Finland was never conquered
by Russia but vas sold out by Sweden
at the close OF the last war between Rus
sia and Sweden, notwithstanding the fact
that the war had been carried on fer two
years principally by Finnish troops
When Sweden ceded Finland TO Russia
the Car Alexander II promised that Fin
land should have absolute independence.
and ne endeavored TO carry oat his as
surance by granting perfect freedom to
the Firms in the administration of their
international affairs.
The Governor General to Finland is ap-
pointed but he has no authority, the Fin
nish Senate making all laws. Recently
Russia has taken away from Finland
many Of the liberties heretofore enjoyed,
and the latest infringement is the move
TO place the custom houses under Rus
sian control.