Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-02-20
TRADE WAR IMMINENT.
Russia Raises Her Tariff ON Amers.
can Goods RetaIiatory
Measure.

| SC. PETERSBURG, req. lo.-I he NUS
sian government has taken prompt
steps to counterbalance the United
States recent alleged discrimination
against sugar from here. An increase
in the tariff in the principal imports
from America, that practically is pro-
hibitory, will take effect on March 1.
! This advance in the rates of duty on
imports, whose value last year amount
ed to $50 100000, was announced Sat
urday in a decree by NJ. de Witte, min
| lister of finance. 1t strikes 1t no coun-
try except the United States, and by
many here is looked upon as the be-
| ginning of tariff war. The decree
is based upon the first paragraph of
article 62S of the customs statute
The finance minister proved his abil-
ity to hit quickly and to hit hard He
evidently was prepared for reprisals
before Secretary Gage took final ac-
ton. M. de Witte sent to the senate
on Wednesday for publication an or
dinance levying 30 per cent. increased
duty on the most important Ameri-
can imports into Russia. The ordi-
nance was published Saturday in the
Official Messenger. This action is
greatly regretted in American circles,
where it is anticipated that much
harm will result. Well informed Amer
leans do not believe that the supreme
court will sustain the claim that Rus
STA pays sugar bounty, directly or in
directly and regard the action taken
as hasty, although not unexpected by
those knowing how the finance minis
ter felt on the matter. 1t is believed
that little harm would have resulted
to Russian interests if the action of
the court had been awaited.
The German press naturally is elated,
| believing the measure will transfer
American commerce to Germany. The
ordinance requires that the articles
affected be accompanied upon i'm
portation, by a certificate of origin.
The ordinance affects the articles
named in paragraphs $50, ISL, 1872, 153,
161 and 167 of the second part, includ-
ing all sorts of iron and steel goods
from unworked iron castings to sewing
machines Locomobiles, with compli-
Gated thrashers attached, and steam
plows, and fire engines are excepted.
Washington. Feb. 1S.-The news that
Russia had struck back at the United
States government because of the re-
cent ruling of Secretary Gage in re-
gard to the tariff on Russian sugar,
while not altogether unexpected, came
sooner than anyone had believed prob
able The exports to Russia covered
in the decree are on machinery and
tools of every kind manufactures and
products of cast iron and steel. Of
these the chief articles are farm ma
chimes. It is considered that the in
crease in the duties is practically pro-
hibitory.
1t was a complaint of the Illinois
Manufa cturers association that
brought about what threatens to prove
a tariff war. The association called
the attention of Secretary Gage to pref
erences granted by Russia to sugar eX-
porters. This was investigated and the
secretary ruled that as Russia practi-
cally paid bounty the Dingley law
proviso should be enforced and coun-
tervailing duties equal to the bounty
added to the tariff.
The immediate effect of the Russian
decree, when it becomes operative on
March 1, will be to increase by so per
cent. the duties on American ma
chinery. steel and iron goods These
goods already enjoy two separate re-
auctions, 80 per cent. being taken off
from the general and 20 per cent. from
the conventional duties.
Count Cassini, the Russian ambassa-
dor, Saturday afternoon received a
cablegram from the Russian foreign
office confirming the report of the is
sue of the decree imposing increased
duties on certain American imports
into Russia. and took steps to inform
the state department accordingly. It
is realized that grave c~isis has been
reached in the trade relations between
the United States and Russia.
The action means that the Russian
government will not concern itself with
test case or await the issue of such
case. However, there is an expecta-
| ton that the American importers OF
Russian sugar Will make the fight in
their own interest. Some cargoes OF
Russian sugar are now afoat and on
the way to the United States, where
at least one is due to arrive in the next
ten days. 1t is not doubted that the
consignees in the United States will
make test case.
Secretary Gage, it is said, would not
be surprised should the lead Of Russia
in the event it proved successful, be
followed by other European nations
He does not apprehend general re-
taliatory movement, but says that it
would be natural should our compete
tors fight us with our own methods
and policies.
Victim of Folding Bed.
Minneapolis, Mimi, Feb. 18.-James