The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-19
VIEWS OF COUNT MATsUKATA
ON THE GREAT COMMERCIAL ENER-
GY OF THE UNITED STATES.
japanese Statesman Fears This Coun-
try Is Doing Too Much Business
Borrowed Capital.


WASHINGTON, July lS.-The United
States has been entirely left out OF the
antitrust conference proposed by the Car
of Russia TO which all the great CONNER
cial nations of Europe have been invited.
II is true that it has been announced that
representatives OF the United States would
be welcomed. but il is hardly probable they
will be welcomed if they are not invited
attend, for the reason that the government
is not in the habit of sending representa-
tives 10 international conferences of Euro
peans unless invited This conference that
the Car Of Russia has proposed. and TO
which he has asked all European nations,
will. in the opinion of Washington states
men, result in a discussion of tariff sys-
TENS necessary TO the protection Of Europe
against America.
The fact that the United States is the
leading country in the world in the forma-
tion of trusts and that these trusts have
hit Europe. Russia particularly, pretty
hard. leads naturally the opinion that
the antitrust conference that the Car is
getting up will not be an antitrust con-
ference at all. but an anti-American con-
ference 1t cannot be forgotten that il
was but year ago this month that the
then secretary Of the treasury Mr.. Gage,
imposed the countervailing duty provided
by law against bounty-fed sugars against
Russian sugar and that he followed that
by imposing the countervaiiing duties
against Russian petroleum. This action by
Mr.. Gage was followed by general rails
ing Of the Russian duties against imports
from the United States. particularly
against American steel Some of the in
way Of retaliation amounted TO 30 per cent.
1t was predicted by many American busi-
ness men at the time that American trade
with Russia had been ruined. The test OF
time has own that Russian-American
trade was not ruined by the little tilt that
Secretary Gage precpitated but that il
mas increased both in imports from Rus
sia and exports 10 Russia during the last
fiscal year. The figures for the entire year
have not yet been. completed by the Treas
ury Department, but the estimates are
judging by the first eleven months OF III,
fiscal year, that the exports TO Russia In
creased by more than 81, 100000 over las
year and that imports from Russia in.
creased almost as much. This was accom-
plished in the face OF constantly decreas.
ing trade balances with most of the other
commercial nations Of Europe II there
fore appears that in spite of tariff tilts Rus
sia is compelled TO do business with the
United States on a constantly increasing
scale
With the coming development OF Man
churia and Siberia the opportunities for
American business men I'm territory con-
troled by Russia will increase measurablv
The Russian government. il is believed
here. is seeking to profit by this Russian
market for American manufactures by fore
ing concessions for Russian products IN the
United States. All OF the concessions that
Russia wanted were granted by this gov
ernment in a treaty of reciprocity that was
negotiated by Commissioner Kasson and
Ambassador Cassni about two years ago
That treaty was approved by the Russian
government, but was never signed because
of the attitude OF the Senate against all
reciprocity treaties. The Russian govern
ment was seriously offended at the failure
of the American government to approve
that treaty, and that fact added consider
able TO the bitterness Of Russia over Sec
retary Cages decision in the sugar ana
petroleum cases.
During his tenure i'm office Secretary Gage
was Of opinion that the day was not far of
when Europe would threaten the United
States with a tariff war. The antitrust
conference proposed by the Gar seems 10
be the beginning of the execution OF that
threat. Fully three years ago Secretary
Gage predicted that England would soon
put duty on wheat. and such a bill is now
pending in the British Parliament He also
predicted that after the duty had been put
upon wheat IL would be remitted I'm part 10
wheat produced in the British possessions
like Canada and Australia. That he said
would be the commencement OF a European
tariff war against the United States
An Associated Press dispatch saws. The
United States government has not received
an invitation TO participate in the antitrust
conference proposed by the Car. The gov
ernment was not concerned officially In the
sells. 10 which the projected conference is
a natural supplement. therefore IL is not
believed that its participation in this Is
expected. However, II would be clearly
impossible for the United States govern
ment 70 enter into any undertaking with
foreign governments concerning such i'm
portant matters as trade regulation aud
especially involving an international recuia-
ton OF tariffs in some measure. IL is felt
that Congress would never surrender any
part OF its constitutional authority 70 regu-
late these matters. that II the United
States should attend the projected confer
ence through a representative no action
could be taken that would IN the slightest
sense bind the government.