The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-25
ACTED Under PRESSURE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENTS PO-
SITION IN ITS RETALIATION
AGAINST RUSSIA
WAS INSPIRED BY THE TRUST
1t Is Said Russian Industries Would
Welcome Amy Excuse to Increase
the Present High PrOtee-
tive Protection.

ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 24.-The semi
official Financial Messenger, In the course
of an article denying that sugar exports
enjoy either an open or a secret premium
from the Russian treasury, points out
that the character of the sugar regime of
Russia, which fixes the selling price for
the home market at a regularly reduced
rate from year to year, Is intended to
protect the Russian consumer against
the encouragement of expectation at his
expense and that if secret export
premiums exist at all they are due to
the growing power of trusts and syndi-
Gates in getting various branches of pro-
ductiOn into their power with no other
aim than to maintain high prices abroad
at the expense of the home market.
The Journal de st. Petersburg says:
will not a dangerous precedent be
created by the desire to prove at any
price that alleged secret premiums are
concealed by the Russian sugar regime
If Russia employed the same logic, she
would, with even greater justification, be
driven to impose even greater counter
vailing duties upon cast iron, steel, cop
per and other American products to
which the principle now being established
could be applied with equal justice.
Russia would also be perfectly justi-
fled in applying this new procedure not
only against the United States, but also
against Western Europe, inasmuch as
this singular idea of the concealment of
secret premiums originated IN no way
with the United States. 1t was first pro-
claimed by Europe at teB rhussels con-
ference in 1893, and it is only such an
idea for which Europe is responsible
that Russia has to thank for an iniqui-
tous act on the part of the friendly
United States.
ut must, above ALL be not forgotten,
that this is a slippery path and that, if
it is pursued further we too shall in
eVitably proceed without even awaiting
the expiration of commercial treaties to
similar measures, noI only with regard
to America, but also with regard to
Europe in the case Of such products as
are controlled by syndicates or other Or
CARNATIONS and sold cheaper abroad than
at home.
ITO such incredible consequences one
comes even at first glance when one
starts upon the solution of international
questions from unsound principles, ques-
lions which require above all the moSL
absolute justice and consideration of
mutual interests, if an understanding be-
tween parties is to be maintained"
These articles, which appear in the Of
fetal organs of the ministry of finance.
undoubtedly represent the views of the
Russian government in the application Of
the theory of concealed export premiums
to trust made products. Both papers sig
rificantly hold Western Europe response
Bile for the theory, thus tacitly admitting
that the United States acted under pres
sure. They threaten trust made
European and American products, which
are sold cheaper abroad than at home
with compensatory duties. They ignore
as irrelevant, the distinction between
legislative and voluntary regulation of
industries.
The announcement of this doctrine
opens UP a wide field of speculation, ap~
parently presaging a transformation of
the discriminating duties against Ameri
ca into n general increase Of duties on al
articles which enter largely into the
worlds commerce and are the objects Of
the kaenest competition.
Russian industries would certainly well
come any excuse to increase the present
high protection. During the existing
stagnation they have bitterly complained
whenever a foreign concern has secured
q government order and they are con-
tinually demanding favors of every kind,
railway rates and the like against for
eigners. Possibly, however, the inspired
organs merely desire to illustrate IN a
drastic way the dangers from the at
tempts of one state to interfere Indirect
ly with the internal affairs of another.