Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-18
THE DUTIES RAISED
Russia Retaliates Against This
Country.
HIGHER TARIFF TO GO into EFFECT
Domestic Industries Want the Step
Averted.
ORDER OF THE TREASURY

| has within the last few DAYS communicated
to the State Department that in conse-
! quence of the action of the American gov
ernment. through a treasury order OF
March last, applying tariff restrictions
against Russian petroleum imported into
this country, the Russian minister OF
finance NJ. De Witte, has issued an order.
dated June instant, imposing the high
rate of the Russian tariff schedule on
American white resin galipot, red resin.
under article So of the Russian tariff law.
and increasing the rate on American bi-
cycles, under article 1I3 Of the Russian
| law.
| This action is entirely apart from that
taken in connection with Russian sugar
and is a new development in the discrim-
| natory duties imposed by this government
and the retaliatory duties imposed by Rus
sia. The order of the Russian minister Of
finance is to take effect next Friday, or
two weeks from the date of its issuance.
Duty on Russian OIL.
The action of the American government
In imposing a duty on Russian petroleum
was taken under article G2j of the Dingley
tariff law. This provides that if there be
imported into the United States petroleum
produced in any country which imposes
duty on American petroleum there shall be
levied upon such foreign petroleum a duty
equal to that imposed by such country. AL
though the tariff act had been in operation
for over three years, this clause had not
been put into effect against Russian petro-
leum. But on March it was duly applied.
The action attracted little attention at the
time, and would probably have passed un-
noticed had not Russia now taken counter
action. 1t is understood that the Russian
embassy was not advised Of the new inn
position of duty. as it was not until word
came of the minister of finances order that
this new phase in the tariff complication
was disclosed.
The Russian Contention.
According to the Russian view. the duty
laid against Russian petroleum is mex
plicable from the fact that no Russian
petroleum. comes to this country. The only
article of the kind coming here is said to
be that mixed with Belgian paraffin. Since.
however, the exclusion was directed
against the Russian article. the Russian
authorities determined to put in operation
their high rates against the American ar
ticles specified. 1t is said that the Ameri-
can trade in bicycles and the resins spe-
Gifted is quite large in Russia, that the
increased duties will bear heavily upon
these branches of the American trade. As
result representations are being made in
behalf OF these manufacturers to induce
the State Department to intercede with
Russia for an abatement Of the high rates.
Seeking Abatement of Duties.
This latest retaliation on the part of
Russia emphasized the issue which had
previously arisen over Russian sugar
Owing to the little tariff war growing out
of the sugar decision, some pressure has
been brought to bear upon the government
through commercial and Industrial chan
nelS to secure an adjustment with Russia.
In some cases special interests, machin-
cry in particular, have addressed them
selves to the administration by petit
tion and letters, and in others through
nj Nra-fR
in Congress, with a view to some
action on the part of the government which
Will afford the Russian government a basis
for removal of the restriction upon
American imports, and a recurrence TO the
old state of affairs.
No Immediate Action Possible.
The situation, however, is such that the
government does not feel itself able to
move in the direction desired, at any rate
at this moment. The treasury officials have
acted oonscientiously in the imposition of
the differential upon Russian sugar and
now petroleum. and the whole administra-
ton has assumed responsibility for their
action. The board of appraisers has af-
hrmed the correctness Of the sugar de-
cision Of the collector of customs and only
one possible channel of relief remains open
for the persons who desire to admit the
Russian sugar on it's old terms, namely,
action by the judicial branch of the gov
ernment
The executive branch, looking to the dis
position Of the test before the Su-
preme Court at the next term--for. in view
of its international Importance such a case
will be made special-does not see its way
clear to take any steps now that might
prejudice the case in advance.
the danger in this situation is to be
found in the probable growth of i'll feeling
between commercial interests in Russia and
the United States. which in the end may
unfavorably affect political relations. Yet
even this consideration is insufficient to
warrant the administration in departing
from the negative policy above outlined.
1t was while these considerations were
before the administration that the latest
retaliatory step on the part of Russia was
made known, and it is too early to say
how far the situation will be affected by the
new complication.
Secretary Cages Comment.
At the Treasury Department 1t is said
that the imposition of a duty on petroleum
was not a matter within the discretion OF
the Secretary of the Treasury but was
made mandatory by the Dingley tariff act.
In no sense can this duty be regarded as an
unjust discrimination against Russian Pc
troleum, as that country took the initiative
against the American article.
Count Cassini's note was referred to the
and Secretary Gage has written
a reply embodying the facts outlined. In
conclusion Secretary Gage says: II beg
leave to submit for your consideration the
question whether the measure now adopted
by the imperial government 10 not incom-
patible with the rights OF the Unfted States
under the existing treaty Of commence and
navigation with Russia"
Italy to Increase Tariff ON PlOws.
Official information has reached this gov
that under a recent classification
plows with one wheel imported into Italy
are to be regarded instruments for art
and trade, instead OF agricultural ma
chimes, and that the change involves a
higher rate of duty.
This government is likely to make a
protest against this action.
Army Medical school Faculty.
The following named officers of the med
cal department have been detailed as men,
,ers OF the faculty of the Army Medical
school in this city: