The Washington times., 1901-07-06

Increasing Inclination TO Bar out
Everything Which Natives Can
Produce Mt Home-NOt Goods But
Investment of Capital Desired.
it is reported from st. Petersburg that
when Secretary Cages action in impos-
ing counteryaiIing duties on Russian su-
gar exported to the United States was
followed by such a dispropoTuonate re-
prisal. the importers Of Americans tools
and machinery seemed stunned Ihey
were disposed to support Russia on the
legal sspects Of the case, but some Of
them re-examined the matter, and con-
cluded that the Russian sugar regulations
amount TO practical compulsion to manu-
facture for export. They still doubted
the expediency of Secretary Cages ac-
ton. but IatterIy they have concluded that
il his policy was mistaken-of which
question, after all Washington. knowing
the complete facts and fostering Amer
ican interests throughout the world was
the best judge-it does not follow that a
backdown is now eXpedient They claim
that such a precedent weuId weaken
American commercial and political pres
tige. The trouble is naturally inconveni-
ent for supporters whose incomes depend
on Russian trade, but it is realized that
the Russian market compares unfavor-
ably with others, and that it always will
do so.
The actual effects of the discriminating
duties have not been as disastrous as eX-
pected. The decrease in Asiatic imports
is chiefly due to the abolition Of the open
port at Vladivostock.
Attention is directed to the increasing
disinciima;ion Of the Russian authorities
to permit the importation of any goods
which the Russians can produce, no mat
ter what they cost This policy, more
than the tariff obstructs foreign trade.
It is recalled that the Government re-
Gently narrowly restricted the use of for
eign goods in the Russian army and navy
factories. and the same policy is pursued
wherever the Government influence eX-
tends. Inasmuch as this influence is
limited merely by viii. a somewhat Dessi-
mistic view Of the future of foreign trade
is held in America.
Lawyers representing the largest financial
interests in America, who We're recently
in New York offered 600 TO build the
Viatka Railroad provided a certain pro-
portion Of American materials was used.
The reply from the Finance Ministry was
that not one pound of such material could
be used. The syndicate then refused to
accept the concession as it did not want
blnd investments. but was chiefly desir-
Gus OF securing another outlet for Ameri-
can goods. The same syndicate declined
extensive fishery privileges in Eastern ST.
IBERIA, because Russian engineers were re-
quired, and the Russians were to retain
full control OF the enterprise.
the representative of an American
house, whose tremendous business is suf-
fering To an unusual degree from the dis
eliminating duties and from the prohi-
bitiOns, said yesterday:
Undoubtedly the Russian sugar regu-
lations contain a cunningly devised
bounty. The cardinal point is that a
company capable Of producing over $1,000
pools annually must sell part OF the ex-
cess, whether 10 or 100000 poCds, abroad
since the share of each company in the
domestic market, except the 60,95J pools
allowed each concern, is fixed according
70 the total of the previous years prodUc-
ton, and exported sugar is not taxed
Producers, therefore, calculate the point
where the losses on foreign overbalance
the prchts on protected and regulated
domestic sales. NJ de Witte, the Finance
Minister, shrewdly pitted steel against
sugar. He, apparently. displayed more
feeling than the intrinsic value of the
sugar trade with the United States ne
cessitated. Perhaps this is due partial
ly TO the fact that the members Of the
imperial family and other influential peo-
pie are largely interested in the sugar
industry.
Whether Mr.. Gage acted advisedly in
the first instance is one question. Whether
trucking is now q polite eXpedient is
another question. The United States must
meet Russia halfway, but IL Russia de-
SireS commercial war We should fight
Russia does not intend 10 allow the United
States, Germany. or anybody to have per-
manently a profitable trade IN this coun-
try. Russia wants foreign money. not
foreign goods. Whether Russia is trying
to bluff OF bully, the Americans who sup
port NJ de Witte against Mr. Gage are
playing her game"
Il is known here that the United States
Ambassador, Charlemagne Tower who
hastened back to St Petersburg from his
leave Of absence. has been during the
last few days. in personal communication
with the Minister OF Foreign Affairs. and
with n de Witte upon the subject of the
present tariff disagreement. and il can be
said upon the best authority that the ne
fsotiations are being carried on in the most
friendly manner, and that the Russian au-
thOrities hope for and expect a speedy and
amicable adjustment Of the questions in
dispute.