The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-06-25
MIR. GAGE FACES A STORM.

Washington June asecretary Cages action in precipi-
atine tariff war with Russia causing such storm OF
indignation among republican politicians in Washington, who
oresee in the restriction of United States trade with so I'M
poan country Russia trouble for the republican party
the polls next that there IS talk OF forcing hm OUT
OF the cabinet He is accused by friends OF the president
with having Numbered in every he has taken thus far
in defining our relations with Russia and other
powers.
That the secretary recognizes the peril in which he has
placed himself is evident from the explanation made by the
treasury department today that M De We the Russian min
lister of finance probably aboring under msapprehen-
about the character of tariff laws The explanation
the minister has plenay to raise lower or NIX
schedules and that he evidently believes the secretary
the treasury possesses the The absurdiy oil
this explanation be best understood when it is known
Count Casssni the Russian ambassador to the United
States, student Of American affairs who has taken the
pains enghen himself fully about laws and customs
Count Cassin long furnished the Russian minister OF
finance with copy of the Dngey that there
be msapprehenson in the mind of M De White about
what it
Still another tack taken by the department pre-
smaby with the and encouragement of the seceta
ry impression that Consul General Holla-
way indirectly responsible for what appears to everybody
be Secretary Cages laundering This nsinuaon is holly
resented by the department Hoaway has aroused the
and hatred of the secretary of the by
boldly publishing that Gage bureau of statistics has been cir
cuatng worthless and inaccurate statements OF trade
1OlaWay
yearly while the Gage bureau places at only $I1oooooo
Nobody questions the accuracy of Hoaways figures while
everybody dcung the figures of the Gage bureau and
charging that they have been iugged for the
pose OF bolsering up the claim of the secretary and his
friends trade with Russia been greatly
overestmated.
The presidents friends seeking reasonable explana
ton of Secretary Cages petroleum order which has
voked the latest retaaory order from NJ De Wte prac
cay shutting American bicycles and resins They under
stat of he
duty upon Russian sugar and Italian Everybody in
Washington believes that Oxnard the lobbyist of the
trust dictated both of those orders and though the charge
that he did has been repeatedly made Secretary has
never denied it
curious explanation of the petroleum order is offered
tonight 1t is said have been forced by Germany upon
threat deprive the United States of important export priv
leges present enjoyed with the German empire If this
Germany undoubtedly actuated by selfish motives
she the logical heir to the trade with Russia that the
United States losing through Secretary Cages orders
There connected with the government who will
accept the German scy and insist upon charging what
they characterize costly laundering Secretary Gage
alone
President Mckinley disturbed these latest develop
ments and has requested the state department take them
under immediate consideration with view correcting the
that have already been made through diplomatic nego
tiaon If possible. 1t said the president disturbed
by the fear he may held partly responsible for what
has happened account of the failure of his reciprocity
gotatons and the consequent disappointment they caused
the European which turned down by the
The whole question OF tariff and treaty agreements will be
discussed at Fridays cabinet meeting and policy for the
future guidance OF the secretary OF the treasury agreed
The president and his advisers fear that the action of NJ De
Witte other European nations take up the
crdge against the United States and provoke tariff war
that will be disastrous in its consequences They do
gard Russias conduct up tariff war but admit
that is closely akin Count Cassn Russian ambas-
sador whose friendship for the United dis
played in expresses hope that existing mis-
understandings will be adjusted speedily.
Secretary Hay and his subordinates are assuming that
the only from the predcament which secretary
OF the treasury has plunged the country adopt pending
and contemplated reciprocity treaties