Evening star., 1901-06-19
Questions Raised in Connection With
Russian Retaliation.
RESTRICTIONS MUTUALLY IMPOSED
Russian Ambassador Regrets Rise
Of irritating Issues.
FEELING IN THE CABINET

by the former, If this contest is to be pur-
sued. Secretary Gage in his letter raises
the question whether the Russian govern
ment has not infringed upon the treaty
rights Of the United States. This refer
ence Of the Secretary is to article Of
the treaty Of commerce with Russia of
1882. That article reads: mo higher or
other duties shall be imposed on the I'M
portatton into the United States of any ar
tlcie the produce or manufacture of Rus
STA, and no higher or other duties shall be
imposed on the Importation into the empire
of Russia of any article the produce or
manufacture of the United States than
are or shall be payable on the like article
being the produce manufacture of any
foreign country. = ="
Possibly Violated by Both.
BY levying maximum duties on United
States bicycles, resins and machinery and
especially designating them as United
States products. the Russian government
has, 1t is not doubted, made just such
discrimination as is provided against In
this article of the treaty. The question is
raised however, whether by our action in
leVylng duty on Russian petroleum and
specially describing it as such the United
otates government has not also violated
TINS article. Now, there is no penalty ar
tlcle in the treaty, but under the common
practice OF international law country
may denounce the whole of treaty where
II is satisfied that one of it's provisions has
oeen purposely broken. 1t remains to be
seen whether such extreme action will be
taken In this case by either party. If So
then there would be no trade treaty be-
tween Russia and the United States, and
as Tar as Russia is concerned the maxi
mum tariffs which are practically pro-
hlbitlVe would apply to all imports from
the Onlted states, condition which exists
actually as to United States imports into
Spain On the other hand, if such action
by Russia is regarded as discrimination
the United States government may by ex-
listing law exclude any or all imports from
Russia.
Regret of the Russian Ambassador.
Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador
said today, concerning the latest phases
of the tariff issue, which has arisen be-
tween Russia and the United States:
Il very much regret that these ques-
tfons should have arisen, for you are quite
aware that my constant endeavor, rejecting
the wishes of the imperial government, has
peen to maintain those long-standing rela-
tfons of cordiality and cooperation which
have existed between Russia and America
fortunately this general policy Of friend
ship has prevailed to very large extent.
and the two countries have found them
selves acting together in late years par
ticularly in the large events of the last
ySdi VI 81, along common lines of helm
fulness. This has been not only for the
good OF each nation, but it has served a
broad general purpose in the solution of
difficult questions arising. For this reason, I
sincerely deplore these small commercial
Issues which have arisen, as they are like
small pin pricks, not very serious in them
selves, and yet Irritating in the general
condition of good relations which have so
iong existed. 1t Is not for me to discuss
the merits of these tariff questions, so far
as they relate to the course of the United
States, and much less as to the course of
Russia. But In any event the issues do
not seem to me to be very grave and am
hopeful that in the end the spirit of liber-
allty which has always prevailed between
the two countries will lead to a satisfac-
tory adjustment"
No AntagOnism to United States.
Count Cassini was asked if the latest ac-
ton Of Russia relative to bicycles and resin
was not specifically in retaliation for the
American action on petroleum.
That Is, Of course, true, for my letter
advising the Washington authorities of the
action OF the minister of finance set forth
that the Russian action was predicated on
the order of the Treasury Department of
March y last. But the term retaliation
IS, perhaps, too harsh a characterization.
The simple fact is that a differential duty
was levied on imports Of Russian sugar
and following this duties were increased on
SCi ldiil iAiHeIiCdll dTlIcltS entering Russia.
Later duties were levied on Russian pc
troleum, which enters into certain other
foreign products, and result of this the
RUSSIAN duty on certain other American
products is raised. These are economic
moves, pure and simple 1t is quite certain
that they are due to no antagonism against
the United States, for there has always
been the most sympathetic feeling toward
the United States. Each government Is un-
doubtedly acting according to it's view of
what the situation requires, and not in any
general spirit Of antagonlsm America is
recognized as a great commercial nation
and the splendid products of it's industry
and invention are welcomed to Russia. On
the other hand, it is desired that this eX-
change shall be mutual and reciprocal, and
If this view prevails there Is no doubt that
American goods will continue to be well
coined in Russia"
Ignorant of European Movement.
The ambassador says that no possible po-
litical significance could attach to a matter
Of purely commercial nature. He added
also that he knew nothing Of any European
movement against American products, and
certainly this had absolutely nothing to do
with any such movement.
Feeling in the Cabinet.
There is wide difference Of opinion
among cabinet officers as to the attitude
Of Russia to this country in tariff matters.
In and out of administration circles there
Is an undercurrent feeling that Russia's
actions recently may be the beginning of
an attempt to start a great tariff war
against the United States.
Contrary to this view is the belief said
to be shared by Secretary Gage with others
in the administration that the Russian
minister Of finance, who is imposing re-
taltatory duties on American goods, is act
ing under a misconception of the tariff
laws of the United States. In Russia there
is no system of tariff and the imposition,
removal, reduction or increase of a duty
rests largely with the minister of finance
or whatever official has charge of customs
There is absolutely no system and the duty
on an article may be changed at a min
ute's notice If the person who has the
power sees fit.
An opinion prevails in administration cir
cles that Minister DeWitte, the Russian
minister of finance, may have thought that
Secretary Gage has been changing the Gus
toms regulations Of this country to
suit himself, and did not appreciate the
fact that Secretary Gage Is merely carry
ing out the laws Of Congress In imposing a
countervailing duty on sugar from Russia
md hot