The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-05
GAGE WILL BE SUPPORTED
Exporters Dog ot Want to En-
 barr.E 5 Him.
Although They 3, Losing rraa., They Think tn United States
 Should Show c Bold .s Front to de witts.


 tary Cages action in imposing coun- tervailing duties on Russian sugar ex- ported to the United States was fol-
 flowed by so disproportionate reprisal as the imposition of 30 per centum in- | creased duties on the most important
 American importations here. the im- porters of American tools and ma chinery seemed stunned. They were | disposed to support Russia on the legal aspects, but some of them re-examined the matter and concluded that the Rus sian sugar regulations amount to prac- tical compulsion to manufacture for
 export. They still doubt the expedi- ency of Secretary's Cages action. but latterly they have concluded that while the policy was mistaken, of which. af- ter all, Washington. knowing the complete facts and fostering American interests throughout the world, was the best judge. it does not follow that a backdown Is now expedient. They claim that such a precedent would weaken American commercial and po- litical prestige. It is, of course, in- convenient for importers whose incomes depend on Russian trade, but it is realized that the Russian market com Dares unfavorably to others, and that 1t always will.
 The actual effects of the discrimi- mating duties have not been as disast- rous as expected. The decrease in Asi- attic imports Is chiefly due to the abo- lition of the open port at Vladivo- stock.
 Attention is directed to the increas- Ing disinclination of the Russian au- thorities to permit the importation of any goods which. the Russians can produce, no matter what they cost. This policy. more than the tariff, ob- structs foreign trade. It is recalled that the Government recently narrow ly restricted the use of foreign goods in the Russian army and navy facto- ries, and that the same policy is pur- sued wherever the Government influ- ence- extends. Indsmuch as this infiu- ence is limited merely by will. a~some- what pessimistic view of the future of foreign trade Is held here.
 Lawyers representing the largest financial interests in America, who were recently here. offered $40000. 900 to build the Viatka Railroad, provided A certain proportion of American mate rials was used. The categorical 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 1t did not want bond investments but was chiefly desirous of securing another outlet for American goods.
 The correspondent of the Associated Press was authoritatively informed. in this connection, that under the pres ent circumstances. the use of foreign railroad material Is impossible. The same syndicate declined extensive fish ing privileges in Eastern Siberia. he- cause Russian engineers were required and the Russians retained full control of the enterprise. A resident repre- sentative of an American business. where business has been almost anni- Inflated by the prohibitions, recently signed letter to a newspaper. declar- ing that Russia was wrong on the su- gar question.
 The correspondent of the Associated Press today talked with the represent ative of an American house. whose tre- mendous business is suffering to an unusual degree from the discriminating duties and also from the prohibitions. He said:
 Undoubtedly the Russian sugar reg ulations contain cunningly devised bounty. The cardinal point is that a company capable of producing over 60,- 900 poods annually must sell part of the excess. whether ten or a million poods. abroad. since the share of each company in the domestic market, ex- cepting the 60,000 poods allowed each concern. is pro-rated according to the total of the previous years production, and exported sugar Is not taxed. Pro- ducers. therefore, calculate the point where the losses on foreign overbal- anced the profits on protected and reg ulated domestic sales. M. DeWitte the Finance Minister, shrewdly pitted steel against sugar. He is quoted as repeat ing the charge that Secretary Gage is taking an interest in the American sugar and oil trusts. This is somewhat unguarded on his part, considering the close relations between the Russian steel and sugar interests and the gov ernment. He. apparently, displayed more feeling than the intrinsic value of | the sugar trade with the United States | necessitated. Perhaps this Is due par tially to the fact that the imperial | family and other influential people. are | largely interested in the sugar indus | try. Whether Mir. Gage acted advised | ly in the first instance, is one ques- ton. Whether trucking is now a pol | ltiC eApeuiehl. ID dHotHei quCSIoh' AHe United States must meet Russia half | way. But, if Russia desires a commer- | cial war. we should fight. Russia does | not intend to allow the United States, | Germany or anybody to have perma- | nently profitable trade here. Rus | sia wants foreign money. not foreign | goods. Whether Russia is trying 10 | bluff or bully. the, Americans who sup | port NJ. De Witte against MT. Gage | are playing her game. It is declared | here that Russia will never allow | Washington to construe her sugar | laws. But. neither can the United | States recognize the Russian interpre- tation of our tariff
 It is known here that the United | States Ambassador here, who hastened | back to St. Petersburg from his leave | of absence. has been. during the last |