New-York tribune., 1902-03-15
COMMERCE OF SIBERIA.
CUSTOMS COLLECTED AT Neutrality-suspicious.
THAT ARE FREE.

THAT ARE FREE
Washington March "A (SpeciaD-The growing in
terest of the United States in the trade of Asiatic
Russia and the countries tributary thereto lends
especial interest to a statement of the Belgian
commercial agent at Vladivostock recently pub
Iished in the bulletin Commerciar' at Brussels
The statement is especially important in view of
the fact that the commerce of Siberia has recently
been brought under the general customs laws of
Russia. It is summarized by The British Board of
Trade Journal follows:
The Yladivostock Custom House. as is well
known, began it's functions on January l. 1901 This
measure has had characteristic effect on the
trade OF the port the import duties aectlng prin-
cpally manufactured articles. and scarcely touch
rice which are not produced in the country
The following is a list of articles that can be i'm
and dried: pineapple preserves. fresh oranges. kid
ney beans. green peas, potatoes. fresh and pre-
served, rice not deCorticated. bread mushrooms
citron, salt. brick tea chicory. beef and mutton
steel steel and iron needles, steel iron and tin plate
anCed kinds used by chemists), iron and steel ma
iron in bars sheet iron, tinplate castiron rivets
tools. wheels locks; tables; sewing machines. car
pets and rugs, furniture. glass and glassware. ala
baster, asphalt, bicycles, bottles, bricks, maps
driving belts. musical instruments and pieces of
music
the traders in the place, who are few in number
and whose means are very limited. did not delay
creasing the price of articles which enter free in
paid Toward the end of 1900 large quantities Of
goods were imported into Vladivostock in view Of
the approaching closure of the free port and at
the present time the place is still overstocked with
various articles. which will take some time to be
disposed OF.
The greater part of the merchandise imported into
Vladivostock in 1901 was sent by way of the Amoor
and Manchuria. Commercial relations between
this latter province and VladivostOCk develop
ing rapidly. for at the present time ii is Vladivo
stock which is supplying Manchuria by way Of
the Rivers Amoor and Sungari and by the Trans
Siberian Railway, which is already finished as far
as Harbn. Goods destined for Manchuria pay i'm
port duties at Vladivostock, but the amount is re-
funded after the goods have crossed the frontier.
This II is evident, complexities the transit trade.
and il would therefore seem To be of advantage in
these circumstances to use Port Arthur for goods
able to bear the expenses of transport Heavy
merchandise. however. such iron. etc, will
probably continue to be sent via Vladivostock the
expenses of transport to Northern and Central
Manchuria being much less onerous than from Port
Arthur.
Owing to the great fluctuations in the rates for
transport into the interior, exporters will do well
10 fix their prices &C 4. f." Vladivostock or Port
Arthur, to avoid the risk in transporting the
goods by river rail.
The articles imported into Manchuria are the
same as those usually exported to China viz
manufactured articles, spirits, sugar candles.
window glass, arms for Europeans. etc. Man
churia exports raw materials. viz, cereals oil
cakes briStes. wool etc.