The Washington times., 1901-08-10
DRAWING RUSSIA NEARER.
Efforts to Be Made to Establish
Closer Trade Relations.
The Cars Minister of Finance EN-
pected TO visit America Before
Many Months-COmmerci Bodies
Unite to Induce Him to Come.

NEW YORK. Aug 9-The Evening
Post today prints the following from its
Washington correspondent:
There is more than a fair possibility
that the Russian Minister Of Finance,
Serge Yulewich de White. may visit the
United States before many months He
will not come a guest of this Govern
Inent, though he will be sure of n most
cordial welcome and abundant attentions,
when he reaches the Capital, at the
hands of Federal officials all over the
Union.
The enterprise of bringing him to
America originated with certain CONNER
cial bodies. when they learned that he
was to visit China with a view to study
ing local conditions and seeing what
could be done to stimulate trade between
the two countries. 1t is the belief of the
gentlemen having the matter in charge
that Russia is a country which could be
tied to ours with stronger CONNER cial
bonds if the two peoples and Governments
understood each other better.
IN general way it could be said that
we have no trade rivalry with Russia, and
might just as well have her for con-
slant friend and customer as hold her at
arms length. 1t was undoubtedly the
plnCnlng OF the SnOe Nnen RUSSIA
her retaliatory measures in connection
with the sugar controversy that aroused
some OF our men of business to reali-
cation of what serious damage might come
to them later if the gulf of international
estFaRgement were allowed to widen.
They hope, if they can bring the real
ruler of Russia here in person and let
him survey our resources and study our
system at first hand, that the better I'M
Outstanding thus assured may result in
revised relations of great profit TO both
countries.
Following the despatch is this inter-
view:
"A prominent business man in this city,
who did not wish his name to be used.
said today: There only half dozen
people in the whole country that know it,
and / am reluctant to speak before the
matter is settled.
." 1t is true that we are carrying IN
correspondence with view to getting
Mr.. 'Witte to return by way of the United
States. He is now on his way to China
by the Siberian Railway. When he
reaches China he might as well return
To Russia this way as the other. We
have reason to believe that he will
The Minister of Finance in Russia is
quite different person from the Secre-
tary of the Treasury in this country. He
is what the Secretary of the Treasury is
but more. He is a sort OF potentate. He
makes and unniakes laws. A visit from
him could not fail to be of great impor-
lance to the trade interests of this coun-
try. 1t is the idea to receive Mr.. Witte
at San Francisco and bring him across
the country in such way that he can OBJ
serve for himself what enterprises are
afoot and how they are thriving.
-. He cannot be the guest of the Gov
eminent. Such a thing is not coatem-
plated He will be the guest of the bust
ness men of this city. and such viii
1a.a Oh. oil sta eth n
given all the opportunities for coming in
touch with the industrial interests of the
country.
' There will be a banquet in his honor,
and we believe that Mr. Witte, who Is
thoroughly conversant with the English
language, and prepared to go into the
question of closer international relations
fntelligently, will prove valuable friend
to the. American exporter, whose Inter-
ests in Russia are increasing vastly day
by day. :"