Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-02-22
NOT DISCRIMINATION.
Secretary Gage Explains His Action
Regarding TnriT on RUS
slim Sugars.

Washington, Feb. 10. - Secretary
Gage has received many letters regard
ing the recent order imposing a coun-
tervailing duty on Russian sugars. On
Monday he sent answers in which he
says:
AFTER careful consideration of the ef
fects of the Russian law and regulations
upon the price of that commodity for home
consumption and the price for expectation.
as eNemplified in the reports from our con-
sular officers in Russia, this department
has arrived at the conclusion that Russia
indirectly pays or bestows a bounty on
the export of sugars within the meaning
of section 5 of the act of July q, 1897, and
consequently that II was my duty under
the law to proclaim the net amounts of
such bounties for the assessment of addi-
tional duties, which was done by depart
ments circular No. 10, of February IA. 1901
at Is to be regretted that the Russian
minister OF finance should have considered
this action in the light of n discrimination
on our part against the Russian commerce,
as stated in our recent daily press, and
nave withdrawn from our imports into Rus
sia the privileges of the conventional tariff
of that country, to which the United States
is entitled under the most favored nation
clause in our treaty of commerce and navi-
cation with Russia of 1882. The allegation
of discrimination appears to be unfounded
In view of the fact that sugars coming from
other bounty-paying countries, such as
France, Germany, Belgium, the Neither
lands, etc, are subjected to additional du-
ties under said section 8, and that unless
the above-stated conclusion of this depart
ment is reversed by competent tribunal
the exemption of Russian sugars from ad-
ditional duty would rightly be regarded by
the other bounty-paying countries as a dis
criminaton against them and in favor of
Russia. 1t is to be hoped that upon a proper
presentation of the m tn ba p,,ce
government by our department of state the
reputed order of the Russian minister of
finance will be revoked"
St. Petersburg, Feb. 19.-The corre-
spondent here of the press is informed
that the Americans of St. Petersburg
regard the attitude of the Russian peo-
pie and press as extremely gratifying
and as a representation of speedy
settlement of the commercial differ
ences, or, in all events, as a guarantee
against worse results. rhe press is
entirely dispassionate, evidently re-
garding the reprisal as not proper
toned to the injury Russia sustained.
There are some who think NJ. De Witte
struck overhastily and angrily and be-
lieve a reaction or a modification is
possible. The Americans emphasize
the necessity for patient GOODNESS. since
the matter must adjust itself mutually
and in tolerable manner whenever
the supreme court decides, no matter
how the decision falls.
An article in the Boersen Zeitung is
particularly gratifying. as an indica-
tion that commercial circles would well
come settlement not disturbing to
American commerce. It says: Ger
nan intrigue is responsible. Secretary
Gage could not have done otherwise"
London, Feb. 19.-There is consider
able interest here in the outcome of
the tariff differences between the
United States and Russia. The advo-
Gates of change in the British fiscal
system hope to find in them some
support of their contention that re-
taliatory duties ought to be imposed
on countries taxing British products.
New York, Feb. 19.-Count Cassini,
the Russian ambassador, is quoted in
a Washington dispatch to the Her
aid as saying of the present Amer
ican-Russian tariff situation:
Russia does not want. nor has she any
intention of engaging in tariff war with
bhN phitSu Inc OF
maximum rates to American cast iron and
steel manufactures, machinery and tools
was not dictated by any desire to en-
bark upon a policy of vengeance because
of the decision of the secretary of the
treasury to collect the countervailing duty
on Russian sugar, AS have said, Rus
sia's feelings for the United States are.
as they have always been, of the most
cordial character. Yet 1t was impossible
for my government to do other than 1t
mas done. Our commercial interests de-
manded protection"