Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-19
TRADE WITH RUSSIA
American Commercial Inter-
ests Are Very Great.
NEW TREATY NEEDED
TO STRAIGHTEN OUT ENTANGLE-
MENTS WITH THAT COUNTRY.
Prophecies of Disaster Not Fulfilled
Business Last Year Increased In
stead Of Falling Off.

Trade relations with Russia are likely tc
occupy the attention of the treaty-making
branch of this government in the near flu
ture 1t is understood that representations
are being made by large American com
mercial interests to the proper authorities
of the necessity of Strengthening out the
commercial arrangements with Russia al
the earliest possible moment.
Despite untoward conditions, trade with
Russia has prospered amazingly and 1t is
the belief of persons competent to form an
opinion that with the removal of some eX-
listing embarrassments and the clearing VI
of MISUNDERSTANDING there will be nota-
BILE expansion of trade
Disaster Prophecies Not Fulfilled.
When the Secretary of the Treasury, last
July, issued his famous order imposing tho
countervailng duty on bounty-fed sugar
imported from Russia, followed almost I'M
mediately by another order imposing the
countervailing duty on petroleum, there
were prophecies of trade disaster. For a
while these seemed likely to be fulfilled
Russia Immediately raised the tariff on inl-
ports from America. Steel and iron were
commodities especially affected.
The years business, however, has upset
the calculations of the prophets of dis
aster. Our trade with Russia was not
ruined: on the contrary 1t increased dur
ing the fiscal year ending June 30 last The
figures for eleven months only are obtain
able, but they make a gratifying showing.
The exports to Russia within that period
amounted to S10.0oT.747, against s9,516,
$40 for the same time in the previous
year.
While this was not a large increase it
must be remembered that it came about in
the face of most unprOmisng conditions.
1t must also be taken into account that
our exports to several other countries. with
which had tariff dispute, declined
within that period.
A New Trade Treaty.
This result, 1t is said, has brought both
countries to seeing the necessity for more
amicable trade relations, and 1t is not i'm
possible that within few months a new
treaty of trade will be drawn with Russia.
There Is in existence an unsigned reciproc-
ity t. aty between Russia and the United
States, but the trade relations between the
two countries could be improved materially
without going so far as to make a reel
procity treaty. All that is needed to in
crease the Russian american trade 1t is
claimed, is a treaty or agreement that Will
untangle the disputed and comparatively
undiSputed points now at issue between
the two governments The concessions re-
quired to be made on either side are trivial
so far as government revenues and protec-
tion are concerned.
Experience of Last Year.
The commercial interests that have re-
Gently suggested to the proper authorities
under the government the necessity of set
| Ting the commercial disputes with Russia
| in order that Americans may not be ham
| pered in getting a full share of the trade
| resulting from the continued development,
| of Russian territory, particularly in 81
| IBERIA and Manchuria. argue that the eX-
| perience of the last year has shown that
| the trade relations with Russia are splen-
| didly established, else they would have
| shown the results of the commercial tilt OF
| a year ago. They contend that they ought
| not to be endangered further. when the
| concessions necessary upon either side fol
| a perfect understanding are so compare
| lively slight