New-York tribune., 1901-06-20
RUSSIAN TARIFF "RETALT4TTON."

Inc action of the Russian Government In i'm
posing higher tariff rates upon certain imports
from the United States is conveniently de-
scrlDed as retaliation. 1t is not at all evident
however, that the description is strictly accu-
rate. Retaliation is the giving of like for like
Upon the face Of IT, then to impose n higher
tariff in return for higher tariff is retaliation.
But il will be best to look beneath the surface
and see the grounds upon which, In the resnec-
tive cases, the higher rates are imposed IL
those grounds are not alike, the word retalia-
ton is a misnomer. AS TO the ground ON the
side Of the United States there can be no doubt
despite various efforts TO conceal or TO confuse
IT, Ihis government is contending for the prin-
clpie or equal dealings with all countries 1t
means TO impose equal tariff rates upon imports
from all countries. But In order TO maintain
such equality IL is necessary 10 take into ac-
count whatever export bounties are paid by for
egn countries. If two countries are sending us
their goods without any export bounties. or any
such device, our tariff rates must be equal TO
them both But If one pays an export bounty
upon its goods, in order TO be just to the other
we must Increase our tariff rates upon the
bounty aided goods to an extent equivalent TO
the bounty. And that is what this country is
doing in the case of Russian sugar. In the case
OF Russian petroleum, which do not in fact
import at all, duty is nomnaly imposed be-
cause Russia imposes duty upon American De-
troleum.
Russia, on the other hand, began in March
last to impose higher duties upon American
iron and steel products, not on any such ground
OF equity and equalization, but simply for the
reason that we had no matter on what ground
raised our tariff upon her sugar. In other
words, she raised her tariff against our iron
and steel because we would not give her prefer
| entially low rates on her sugar. Instead of be-
| ing Identical the two grounds are therefore
| entirely different and contrary TO each other
The United States demand is for equal rates to
all. The Russian demand is for special rates in
Russia's favor, under penalty of special rates
against the United States. Nor is there less
! difference between the grounds in the later case
/ The United States put nominal tariff upon
! Russian petroleum, because Russia had already
put a tariff upon United States petroleum.
Thereupon Russia put a higher tariff upon
American resin and bicycles The United States
contention Is that if Russia taxes our petroleum
we are entitled 10 tax hers Russia. on the
other hand. insists that If we tax her petroleum
-nominally but not actually since we do not
import it-she is entitled 10 tax not only our
petroleum. but also our resin and BICYCLES
which she does import TO a limited extent Here
again there is a radical contrast between the
attitudes of the two countries. Instead of re-
taiiation, strictly speaking, then, the action OF
Russia might more properly be described as
aggression
The incident is, OF course 10 be regretted
since IL gives rise 10 an appearance OF antspo.
nism between the United States and a country
with which it earnestly desires to remain on