The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-16
TARIFF ,noUnt,E VIII RUSSIA,

The ruling OF Secretary Gage, by which
Inc has imposed an excess duty OF GA
copecl1s, or about &c. per pood. j. G., on
each SC pounds of Russian sugar, is likely
to have the most tar-reaching and serious
result to American foreign trade.
The situation is simply this: The United
States Government, under its sugar boun-
ties. puts, in addition to the regular duty
on sugar, an amount equal to the export
bounties given by amy government to its
producers of sugar at home. and as Sec
rotary Gage alleges that the Russian Gov
eminent is paying an export bounty to its
sugar manufacturers, a duty equal to that
amount was placed on the Russian sugars
on their arrival in America.
The Russian Government. it may be re-
marked. denies paving this bounty to their
manufacturer and the fact that sugars
are exported for less than they are sold
in huss, by no means proves Secretary
Cages contention to be correct, for here
in America it is perfectly we'll known and
understood among manufacturers that
SOOuS SOFA lpl tA-toii dIS oilS!i SUI >Ni -
price considerably below that which would
be charged if they were to be used in the
home market. And this is SO because
goods sold for export have to compete
the home market are protected by our
tariff laws. And it is perfectly well known
and understood in countries that have high
protective tariffs that the rest OF the world
is regarded as a dumping ground on
which the surplus products are poured out.
And as Russia, lis trying to build up its
sugar industry at home. it by no means
follows that because sugar is offered for
,snle in America at a less price than it is
in Russia that therefore Russia is paying
bounty on sugar exports.
Our total trade with Russia is worth
about $al, coo annually, While the total
imports OF sugar only about 100000 And
yet Russia threatens that if this add
tlonal duty is placed on sugar she will
take United States imports out OF the con-
ventional class and place them under the
general tariff laws. That is, Russia will
change her present tariff basis with the
United States. and as q result our exports
to Russia Will have to pay from 20 TO 80
per, cent cnore than at present. In many
cases this will mean the loss of American
trade.
As soon as Secretary Cages ruling was
made known, he was deiused with tele-
grams from manufacturers from all parts
OF America, begging him not to luke a
step which would place in jeopardy such
great Interests. To this the Secretary re-
piled that he must enforce the law as he
found it, but he has referred the matter
to a special committee Tor adjudication
1t is understood that the Carnegie in
terests have she concession for building a
large part of the Siberian railroad on the
east coast of China, and most of the
engines now on that road are of American
manufactures. y rate war With Russia will
destroy the advantage held by the United
states in the East as the most formula
BILE competitor Eor the commerce and trade
now being opened up by Russian occupa-
ton OF Northern China.
The cry for free trade from the A,neri-
can manufacturers at this juncture is most
significant, as 1t shows a distinct develop
,nenr of self-relnusce on tho part of
American industries which is born of past
and is not due to any desire to
give UP the advantage of a tariff except
,neler the conviction that to keep the tariff
and enforce it as 1t is ut present will be
to destroy one of the most fruitful foreign
fields without any corresponding advant-
age gained