New-York tribune., 1901-02-25
RT.S,SIA'.S TARIFF POLICY.
NEW PROCEDURE APPLICABLE AGAINST
EUROPE AS WELL AS THIS COUNTRY.

St Petersburg. Feb. 24.-The semi-official
Financial Messenger" in the course of an ar
ticle denying that sugar exports enjoy either
open or a secret premium from the Russian
Treasury, points that the character of the
sugar regime of Russia which fixes the selling
, price for the home market at a regularly re-
duced rate from year to year is intended to pro-
tect the Russian consumer against the encour-
agement of expectation at his expense, and that,
if secret export premiums exist at all, they are
due TO the growing power of trusts and syn
dicates in getting various branches of production
into their power. with other aim than to
maintain high prices abroad at the expense of
the home market.
The Journal de St Petersburg says:
Will not a dangerous precedent be created by
the desire to prove at any price that alleged
sugar regime? If Russia employed the same
logic. she would with even greater justification.
he driven TO impose countervailing duties upon
cast iron, steel, copper and other American prod
ucts 10 which the principle now being estab-
lished could be applied with equal justice
Russia would also he perfectly justified in ap-
plying this procedure only against the
United States. but also against Western Eu-
rope. inasmuCh this singular idea of the con-
way with the United States. II was first pro-
claimed by Europe at the Brussels Conference
in 1898: and il is only such idea, for which
Europe is responsible that Russia has thank
for inqutous act on the part of the friendly
United States.
1t must. above all not he forgotten that this
is slippery path. and that if it is pursued fur
ther we. too shall inevitably proceed, without
awaiting the expiration of commercial
treaties. TO similar measures not only with re
gard 10 America, but also with regard TO
Europe in the of such products are
controlled by syndicates or other organizations
and sold cheaper abroad than at home.
To such incredible consequences one comes
even at first glance when one starts upon the
solution Of International questions from un-
fvD1as f1E,
all, the most absolute justice and consideration
of mutual interests II understanding between
parties is 10 be maintained.
These articles. which appear in the official
organs Of the Ministry of Finance, undoubtedly
represent the views Of the Russian Government
IN the application Of the theory Of concealed ex-
port premiums to trust made products Both
papers significantly hold Western Europe re-
sponsible for the theory, thus tacitly admitting
that the United States acted under pressure.
They threaten trust made European and Ameri-
can products which sold cheaper abroad
than at home with compensatory duties They
ignore as irrelevant the distinction between
legislative and voluntary regulation Of indus
tries.
The announcement Of this doctrine opens up a
wide field Of speculation apparently presaging
a transformation of the discriminating duties
against America into a general increase of
duties all articles which enter largely into
the worlds commerce and are the objects OF
the keenest competition.
Russian industries would certainly welcome
any excuse TO increase the present high protec-
tion. During the existing stagnation they have
bitterly complained whenever foreign concern
has secured a Government order and they are
continually demanding faVors Of every kind
railway rates and the like-against foreigners.
Possibly. however, the inspired organs merely
desire TO illustrate in drastic way the dangers
from the attempts Of one State TO interfere in
directly with the internal affairs OF another.