The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-05
No Foreign Country VIII he Permitted
TO Build Up n Profitable Trade
in the Cars Domain.
AMERICAN MONEY WANTED
But MERCHANDISE FROM THIS
COUNTRY Is NOT DESIRED.
Little Doubt that Russia L. Paying .
Bounty ON All Domcstic Sugar
Sent to other Countries

ST. PETERSBURG. July 2.-when Sec
rotary Cages action in imposing counter
vailing duties on RUSSIA. sugar exported
to the United States WAS followed by so
disproportionate reprisal as the imposition
OF 30 per cent. increased duties on the most
important American impor:ations here. the
importers OF American tools and machinery
seemed stunned. They were disposed to sup
port Russia on the legal aspects. but some
OF them re-examined the matter and con-
cluded that the Russian sugar regulations
amount TO practical compulsion 10 manu-
facture for export. They still doubt the
expediency Of Secretary Cages action. but
latterly they have concluded that the policy
was mistaken. OF which. after all, WASH
ington knowing the complete facts and fos-
tering American interests throughout the
world. was the best judge. il does not fol-
low that a backdown is now expedient.
They claim that such a precedent would
weaken American commercial and political
prestige. 1t is. of course. inconvenient for
importers whose incomes depended on Rus
sian trade. but il is realized that the Rus
sian market compares unfavorably 10 9TH
ers and that IL always will.
The actual effects OF the discriminating
duties have not been as disastrous as ex-
pected. The decrease in Asiatic imports Is
chiefly due TO the abolition OF the open
port Of Vladivostock.
Attention is directed to the increasing
disinclination Of the Russian authorities to
permit the Importation OF any goods which
the Russians can produce, no matter what
they cost. This policy. more than. the
tariff. obstructs foreign trade. 1t is re-
called that the government recently mar
rowly restricted the use of foreign goods in
the Russian army and navy factories. and
that the same policy is pursued wherever
the government influence extends. inas-
much as this influence is limited merely by
will. a somewhat pessimistic view of the
future of foreign trade is held here.
Lawyers representing the largest fnan-
cial interests in America. who were re-
Gently here. offered $40.000.0g to build the
Niatka Railroad. provided a certain pro-
portion of American materials was used.
The categorical reply from the finance
ministry was that not one pound Of such
material could be used. The syndicate then
refused 70 accept the concession. as IL did
not want to bond investments. but was
chiefly DESTROYS of securing another outlet
for American goods. The correspondent OF
the Associated. Press was authoritatively
informed. in this connection, that under
the present circumstances the use of for
eign railroad material is impossible. The
same syndicate declined extensive fishing
DTlNlltkCS ia dSltl Dttld C1dOct
sian engineers were required and the Rus
slams retained full control OF the enter
prise.
A resident representative of an American
house. where business has been almost
annihilated by the prohibitions, recently
signed a letter TO a newspaper declaring
thai Russia was wrong on the sugar ques-
ton. The correspondent OF the Associated
Press to-day talked with the representative
of an American house whose tremendous
business is suffering to an unusual degree
from the dominating duties and also from
the prohibitions. He said:
Undoubtedly the Russian sugar regula-
tions contain q cunningly devised bounty.
The cardinal point is that a company
capable of producing over 10000 pools an
nually must sell part OF the excess. wheth-
or ten or a million pools. abroad, since the
share of each company In the domestic
market, excepting the 60.O00 pools allowed
each concern. is prorated according TO the
total of the previous years production.
and exported sugar is not taxed. Pro-
ducers, therefore, calculate the point where
the losses on foreign overbalanced the
profits on protected and regulated domestic
sales. VI. De White. the finance minister.
shrewdly pitted steel against sugar. He is
| quoted as repeating the charge hat Secre-
tary Gage is taking an interest In the
American sugar and oil trusts. This Is
somewhat unguarded on his part. consider
ing the close relations between the Rus
sian sugar and steel interests and the gov
ernment He, apparently. displayed more
feeling than the intrinsic value Of the
sugar trade with the United States necessi-
tated. Perhaps this Is due partially 10 the
fact that the imperial family and other in
fuential people are largely interested in
the sugar industry. Whether Mr.. Gage
acted advisedly in the first instance is one
question. Whether trucking is now a poll
tic expedient is another question. The
| United States must meet Russia half way.
But. IL Russia desires a commercial war.
we should fight. Russia does not intend TO
| allow tile United States. Germany or any
body TO have permanently a profitable
| trade here. Russia wants foreign money.
not foreign goods. Whether Russia is try
ing TO BLUM or bully, the Americans who
support Mr.. De White against Mr.. Gage are
pla wing her game. IL Is declared here that
Russia will never allow Washington TO
| construe her sugar laws. But neither can
the United States recognize the Russian in
depreciation of our tariff
1t is known here that the United States
ambassador. Charlemagne Tower. who has
tened back 20 st. Petersburg from his leave
OF absence. has been during the last few
DAYS in personal communication with tho
minister Of foreign affairs. Count Lams-
dorr. and NJ. De Witte upon the subject
of the present tariff disagreement. anc :
can be said upon the best authority that
the negotiations are being carried on in the
most friendly manner ard that the Russian
authorities hope for ana expect a speedy
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