The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1903-05-22
OUR TRADE TN
MANCHURIA
The State Department Taking Steps
to Protect 1t.
WANTS NEWCHWANG OPEN
To obtain That Concession We May
Have TO Remove counteryaIling
Duties on Russian Sugar and
Petroleum Products.

Washington, May 22-Although the
officials of the state department do not
now feel at liberty to discuss Russian
relations, it is true that they are taking
the steps deemed advisable to protect
American trade interests in Manchuria.
The department is not dealing with the
question whether Russia intends per-
manently to occupy that country; it
seems to assume that Russia viii never
relinquish her hold there, 50 that what
ever trade advantages the United
States may hold or gain in the province
must be through negotiations with the
Russian government.
It is understood that the state depart
ment is directing its efforts to prevent
the present American trade with Man
churia from being destroyed by Rus
STA and that it is hampered somewhat
by the counteryailing duty imposed
upon Russian sugar and petroleum UNI
der the ruling Of Secretary of the
Treasury Gage. Requests for the open
ing Of new ports in Manchuria will
hardly receive favorable action, it is
believed, during the present negotia-
tons. but that American interests can
be fully protected in their present
status is the firm belief Of all of the
officials of the government who have
any interest in the case.
TO Keep Newchwang open.
The main point is to keep the port Of
Newehwang open~to American trade
upon terms Of equality with all other
nations. The customs reports for New
chwang show that American trade
with that port is inconsequential, but
the facts of the case are not revealed
by these reports. 1t is estimated by
competent authorities that fully one
quarter Of all OF the goods Of every de-
scription shipped from the United
States to China eventually find their
way to Newchwang.
For the fiscal year 1902 the direct
exports from the United States to
China amounted to $24,722. BOG. 1t is
estimated also that since 1896 the
value of American goods shipped year
" to China and ultimately reaching
Newchwang for distribution has more
than trebled.
Indication of Russian Desires.
While Russia has never openly eS-
pressed the desire for better COM
mercial understanding with the United
States, that government has let it be
known that such an arrangement
would be highly agreeable to her. The
alaerity with which the Russian an
thorities informally approved the still
unsigned reciprocity treaty Of three
years ago was one such indication
Tie expressed intention Of the Russian
government to have M Witte, the min
lister Of finance, come to this country
in the interests Of amicable trade rela-
tons two years ago was another such
Indication, Snd both Russian and
American authorities We're disappoint-
ed when II became known that AZ
Wftte could not come
1t is considered not improbable that
the sQnabble with Russia over trade
rights in Manehuria may lead to
trade understanding with that country.
1t is hoped that the international
monetary exchange commission, which
has just sailed for Europe in the In
terests Of system Of exchange be-
tween gold and silver standard coun-
tries and which will visit ST. Peters
burg, may do something TO further a
better commercial feeling between this
country and Russia While the mem
bers of that commission are not
charged with any measure of diplo-
matte responsibility, the very nature
OF their errand to ST. Petersburg Will
bring about necessarily d discussion Of
commercial relations between the two