New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-07-10
RUSSIA'S OFFER DECLINED.
NJ DE WITTE PROPOSED SETTLE
MENT OF THE TARIFF DISPUTE.
SECRETARY GAGE COULD NOT ACCEPT. BE-
CAUSE THE SUGAR QUESTION IS PEND
ING IN THE COURTS.

Washington, July 9.-Another important ex-
change of notes has occurred between the Rus
sian Government and the United States relative
to the tariff. The Russian Minister of Finance,
NJ. de Witte. has offered to vacate all of the ad-
ditional duties levied American goods since
the imposition of the sugar difTerential II the
United Staes will vacate its action on the sugar
duties. Secretary Gage has replied that the
offer Of the Russian Government cannot be ac-
cepted, as the question of the sugar differential
is now in the hands of the courts. thus preclud-
ing action by the executive branch. These ex-
changes, although nonlinally made by the Min
lister of Finance and Secretary Gage, have gone
through the Russian Foreign Office and the
State Department
The proposition of the Russian Minister Of
Finance was the direct result of Secretary Hays
note of about two weeks ago. In that note Mr.
Hay pointed out that the action taken as to
petroleum was not new. it meant to
have any connection with the previous action
of the government sugar. This appears to
have caused the Russian officials to change their
view that the petroleum order was only another
step in the policy previously taken respecting
sugar Accordingly, NJ de Whites response was
communicated to Washington, Count Lamsdorf
forwarding it to NJ. de WoIlant, the Russian
Charge d'Affaires here. 1t is not long, but is to
the point. It makes further issue to the
petTOleufn OrQSr. Ine cn1er attention is given 10
sugar, ard the specific order is made to vacate
Immediately the increased duties which Russia
has levied if the United States will vacate its ac-
tion sugar. This would amount to re-estab-
fishing the situation which existed before the
United States took it's first action relative to
Russian sugar.
The Russian proposition was duly communi-
Gated to Secretary Gage, who promptly respond
ed that the sugar question is now before the
courts it is not possible for him to avail himself
of the Russian suggestions. Thus the matter
stands.
The reductions which would have resulted un-
der NJ. de Witte's tender are those affecting cast
iron wares, manufactures of iron and steel.
boiler work. tools for artists, factories and work
shops. gas and water meters, mototrs and dy-
namos, sewing machines, portable engines not
including threshing machines; fire engines and
other machinery of iron and steel; also white
resin galipot, brewers pitch and bicycles The
increased duties on iron and steel goods followed
after the imposition of the sugar differentfal,
while those bicycles and resin followed the
increase on petroleum. NJ. de Whites proposal
was TO take off all the increased duties. In his
letter II is said that the second retaliatory move
on bicycles and resin. not due to the Ameri-
can action on petroleum, although II had so ap-
peared in the original Russian note but that II
related 10 the American action on sugar.
This is thought TO be the result of Secretary
Cages reply TO Russia to the effect that its ac-
ton in increasing the duty American hi
cycles and resin was a violation of the treaty
between the two countries