Evening star., 1901-07-10
RUSSlA'S LATEST OFFER
PROPOSES TO CUT INCREASED
DUTIES ON OUR PRODUCTS,
United states Asked 10 Repeal Its Ac-
tion the DidercntiaI
Sugar Tax.

Another important exchange has occurred
between the Russian governmen- and tho
United States relative TO the tariff. The
Russian minister Of finance. NJ de witte,
has proposed that Russia will vacate all
of the additional duties levied on American
goods since the imposition OF the sugar
dinerential. IL the United States will va
cate its action on the sugar differentfal.
To this Secretary Gage has replied that
the offer of the Russian government cam
not be accepted as the question of the
sugar dinferential is now In the hands OF
the court, thus precluding action by the
executive branch. These exchanges. al
though made nominaliy by the minister OF
finance and Secretary Gage. have gone
through the medium of the Russian foreign
office and the State Department
The proposition of the Russian minister
of finance was the direct result OF Secre-
tary Hays note of about two weeks ago.
In that note Mr.. Hay pointed out that the
action taken as to petroleum was not new,
nor was II meant to have any connection
with the previous action OF the government
on sugar. This appears to have recon-
ciled Russian officials in 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 II to NJ. de Wollant,
the Russian charge here. 1t is not long,
but is quite to the point. 1t makes no
1uTtnef issue as TO the pttTNituh of0tE
The chief attention is given TO sugar, and
the specific order is made to vacate imme-
diately the increased duties which Russia
has levied, II the United States Will vacate
| it's action on sugar. This would amount
! to re-establishing the status quo which ex-
listed before the United States took Its In
/ tttal action relative to Russia.
/ The Russian proposition was duly COM
tmGnicated to Secretary Gage, who has re-
tsponded promptly that as the sugar ques-
ton is now before the courts II is not
possible for him to avail himself of the
Russian suggestions. Thus the matter
Sstands
+ The reductions which would have resulted
tunder NJ. de Whites tender are those af-
&fccting cast-iron wares, manufactures or
&iron and steel, boiler work. tools for artists,
factories and work shops. gas and water
fmeters, motors and dynamos. sewing ma
fchines. portable engines, not including
sthreshing machines, fire engines and other
fma chinery of iron and steel; also white
tresin, galipot brewers pitch and bicycles.
EThe increased duties iron and steel
fgoods followed after the imposition of the
Esugar differential, while those on bicycles
Gnd resin followed the increase on petro-
feum. NJ. de Whites proposal was to take
soff all of the increased duties. In the
&course of his letter. II Is stated that the
Second retalIatory move on bicycles ana
t-esin was not due to the American action
fon petroleum. although II had so appeared
En- the original Russian note, but that it
Related back to the American action on
sugar.
This is thought to be the result of Sec
Eetary Cages reply 10 Russia, to the ef-
Feet that it's action, in increasing the duty
bn American bicycles and resin, was Nlo-
tation of our treaty with that country.
With the reply OF Secretary Gage, point
ing out the impossibility OF accepting Rus-
siia's proposition the tariff pending de-
fdsion by the court. 1t Is expected that
here Will be no further active negotiations
En- the tariff until the court renders its
tlecision in November. Under these cir
kiumstances Russian officials in Washing
Hon. who have deferred their departure
Bending negotiations. left today FOR Maria
fansett, where the embassy will be estab-
tsled for the summer months, NJ. de VOL
iant being in charge. assisted by NJ. Zelo-
Toy, second secretary of the embassy. Mr..
fIage's answer has been transmitted to st.
Petersburg, where it will be available with
khe previous communica ton when the sub
feet is taken up by Count Cassini and the
Imperial officials. Count Cassini is due 10
trriye In ST. Petersburg in about week.