New-York tribune., 1901-02-23
RUSSIs'S TARIFF POLICY.
Az UNBREAKABLE DEADLOCK NOT AN
TIcIPATED.
n DE WHITES POSITION EXPLAINED
WHAT SUGAR PRODUCERS IN RUS
sIA cAN COUNT or.

WHAT SUGAR PRODUCERS IN RUS
STA CAN COUNT or.
g.. Pe,ersbure. Fsb. 22.-Although the situa-
,i,n arising ont ~ the so-Ameriean tariff
controversy is unqusstionsbly full q peril
n,ithe- well Informed Americans nor well in
formed Russians anticipate unbreakable
deadlock. The most hopeful feature OF the case
a. IN. fact that the political relations between
tbs two Powers remain absolutely unaffected
T1nit,a States Amba ssador Tower. who is in
close touch with the Russian Foreign ofhce.
ss,e to-day
The present commercial question will he de-
cidsd IN due time by the proper authorues oi
beth countries u has NOT interrupted IN me
slirbtess me cordial relations which have al
ways existed between the United states ana
Russia
fear has been expressed that any American
concession would be considered a sign Of weak
ness By Western Europe, eagerly waiting Tor an
opportunity 70 make concerted onslaught upor
American exports end the American tariff sys
TEN. ana thar Russia opened the battle with this
IN view The correspondent OF The Assoeiated
Press has hao an opportunity 10 inform himself
,uthoritauvely on this point, and can assert
tina, Russia has no nlterior designs whatever.
All assertions 70 the contrary are sufficiently
6iscredfea by AZ de Writes well known warm
sentiment for America. u IS understood that
the Russian Minister OF Finsnoe doubtless with
out including Rrssia's great ally, France in his
remark. Fss recently observed;
Nv sentiments for America, ike Russia's re-
latlOns with her, are warmer and closer fhen IN
the case OF all Eprepe
An authoritative exposition of the Russian
position sust river 10 the correspondent OF The
Associated Press, explains why Russia eid not
ws,t Cor the deeision of the United States su-
reprisal 70 ~ American action. Russia. IL is
explained. does not have dealings with the
American courts brt with the American EKeeu-
1--WE u the oountervailing duty were removed
,o-nosrow NJ de witte would withdraw the
reprissl Tomorrow. Russiss sugar policy is eE-
risined tollows;
Conformably 20 law the Minister annually
hNes the amount OF sugar 70 be produced and
disposed OF the domestic market This
ton Increases. The Minister also fixes the maxi
mum domestic prsee, which diminishes each
year
There is no truth whatever in the statement
that permanently bigh prices are contemplated
by the Russian policy. Prices have fallen with
IN ten years from eight 70 hve and half rubes
~ the producers wish 10 manufacture more
sugar Cor export, the Government VIII not in
terieTe.
II is argued by cornpeutors that because ao-
rnestic prices are higher in Russia than else
where. producers able 10 sell lower abroad.
and that producers eould not sell advantageously
a. the present export prices II they not
assured of . profit on domestic sales large
snol -. 10 give satisfactory dividends. This is
not 20 be disputed; but Russia answers that IN
any such view of the case ell American exports
are bounty fed for American protection assures
the trusts high prices in the domestic market,
and enables them 20 export advantageousy.
Russia, therefore. in applying the same prinei-
pie. is authorized, without weighing blow for
blow a gold bester's scales. 10 retaliate upon
al American exports OF manutactures.
This analysis overlooks what some regard as
the cardinal feature Of the Russian sugar sys-
tenn, namely that producers share in the do
nestle consumption In proportion &C the tota,
production Of previous years. IL is argued ae-
cordingly that manufacturers produce for ex-
IN order 10 secure the largest possible slice
OF the domestic pie. This argument would have
greater force n IL were not known that the pro-
ducers. easily realizing that such a cutthroat
competition would entail denoralizing over
production, long ago reached an understanding
among themselves
No ore here denies that the Russian svsten,
fosters expectation. as. the Domestic market be-
ing assured. producers can manufacture . sur
plus on a smaller margin OF profit; but IL Is
argued forcibly that a mathematician would
have diriculty in computing IN dollars snd
cents tho amount OF this moral support Of pro-
oucers by the Government
Perhaps It would not be Ear from the truth 70
surmise that Nj. de Witte was particularly an
noyee ct Secretary Gage because he had be-
iieved Russia's astute sugar legislation 20 he
absolutely unsssailsble. II should be borne IN
mind. however that this legislation long ante
dates the American countervaiiing duties.