Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-03-02
RIVALS
Speculation as to Effect Of Rus
sia's Move.
SOME VIEWS OF KEEN OBSERVERS

Have Given subject Attention Are
of the Opinion THAT "A Tariff War
Has Long Been Contemplated-such
"a Fight wouId Hurt the Country
? Less Than Amy other.
There is much uncertainty in the
minds of men in congress as TO whether
the tariff contention that has suddenly
sprung up between the United States
and Russia should be regarded as a
move in an impending tariff war
against the United States by its com
mercial rivals or whether it is a tempo
Tary condition limited in its influence
upon general European tariff condi-
tons. The few senators and members
of the house who have given attention
to the question of foreign relations and
the tariff as associated in a diplomatic
sense have for some time felt that q
tariff wal upon the United States was
threatened if not actually impending.
Russia has not been counted on as an
aggressive factor in the precipitation'o of
such a war, yet. say the Washington
Star, it is regarded as a possibility that
this incident might be made the begin
ming of a general movement in Europe.
1t is doubted that Russia has primarily
any purpose to inaugurate such a move,
but 1t is recognized that there is dan
ger of complications growing out of it.
There is a disposition to believe that
Russia's retaliatory action was actual
ly inspired by complicated local condi-
lions at home and by a purpose to
make an impression upon Germany.
But even this view of the matter does
not relieve it from an Importance
worthy of careful consideration. 1t is
not very long since Austria communi-
Gated with other powers with the pur-
pose of bringing about a common poll
cy among those European governments
whose commercial power is threatened
by the great development of the indus
tries and of the United
States. This Austrian move failed at.
the time, but the tremendous strides
this government is making cause I'M
rest throughout the commercial world.
The progress of the United States in
the field of commerce appears almost
irresistible and occasions deep concern
among u rivals.
The principal value of the Russian
trade to us at this time is that it is a
growing trade, with important promise
for the future. 1t is regarded as not
improbable that the decision with ref
erence to the countervailing duty on
sugar will be in favor Of Russia, and
thus the differences between these two
governments be adjusted and the retail
iatory action of Russia revoked.
The escape of Russia from the pay
ment of the countervailing duty might,
however, be made the grounds of com
plant and possibly retaliation upon the
United States by governments against
which this c~ountervaiiing duty now OPP
crates without question. Just as the
United States might now retaliate upon
Russia if it were not thought that the
matter could be settled more easily
otherwise this government could and
probably would meet discrimination
with retaliation upon any government
against which countervailing duties
are levied under the undisputed author
ity of the tariff law.
If governments which pay bounties
and undoubtedly come within the oper-
alton of the countervailing tariff provi-
sion should %retaliate, it would be the
beginning of a tariff war in earnest.
The United States could probably sus-
tain itself in such a war, but it would
seriously injure the industrial develop
ment of the whole world.
Representative Dalzell of Pennsylva-
mia, member of the ways and means
committee, said to a reporter:
'sThe tariff war would be deplorable
for the whole world, but if such a war
were made upon the United States we
could sustain ourselves and would suf-
fer from 1t less than any other nation
on earth"