Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-27
NEW RUSSIAN LOAN
A Good Deal Of Mystery Sur
rounds It.
VIEWS OF FINANCIERS
BERLIN BANKERS SAID 10 HAVE
BEEN INFLUENCED BY KAISER.
Published Report Regarding thu
Finances Of the Cars Govern
ment Described.
BY VIM. e. CURTIS


Record-Herald
There seems to be good deal of mystery
about the new Russian loan, which is re-
ported to have been SO successful in Berlin
and other cities that it was oversubscribed
and Immediately went to a premium within
tWenty-four hours after the books were
opened. The financial statement Of the
Russian government recently cabled from
st. petersburg by the Associated Press is
also very favorable. 1t not only shows
cash balance of $178,000,0 900 in the treasury
on the LIST of January, but a gold reserve of
$500, 100000. and promise of meeting all
ordinary and extraordinary demands grow
Ing out of the war, without requiring any
further credit.
} This condition of affairs is surprising to
| those who thought they knew something
about the condition of the Russian treasury,
| and contradicts reports that have been re-
ceived by Jewish bankers in New York and
other members of that race, who have been
watching Russian finances very closely, and
expected that their co-religionists in Europe
would take advantage of any embarrass-
ments to exact concessions in favor of the
prosecuted Jewish subjects of the car.
The Assertion Disbelieved.
No explanation has been received One of
the most prominent Jewish bankers in New
not believe that the statement of the con-
dition OF the Russian treasury published
was accurate, but at the same time he was
not prepared to show proof that 1t was
false. Recent reliable information from the
financial capitals of Europe gave different
| impression, and he believed that the truth
would shortly be made known. He said that
the loan just issued in Germany was
handled by a firm Of Berlin bankers who
lad been induced to undertake 1t by the per-
sonal influence of Emperor William himself,
and that the subscribers were chiefly people
who were DESTROYS of securing the favor of
the imperial houses of Germany and Rus
STA; that the public at large and ordinary
| investors had taken none of the bonds, and
were not likely to do SO. He also called at
| tention to the small amount of the loan,
which was equivalent only to $81, OOO, 600 in
American gold. This he considered a sig
| nificant circumstance, and interpreted it as
| meaning that the Russians dare not ask for
larger amount
Oscar straus of New York, formerly min
lister to Turkey, and one Of the A ,ierican
members of The Hague tribunal, says that,
from the best Information he can obtain,
the published statement of the financial
condition of Russia is much exaggerated
for the purpose Of sustaining the credit of
that nation and stimulating confidence in
the new loan Mr.. Stratus said that 1t is
the prevailing impression among New York
bankers that the immense gold reserve of
Russia is largely a myth, but that really
very little Is known about 1t, except so far
it is deposited in the banks of London,
Paris and Berlin.
Attitude Of Jewish Bankers.
It is true that the Jewish bankers Of Eu-
rope are unwilling to give any financial as
sistance to Russia until their co-religfonists
| in Poland and other Russian provinces are
relieved from the prosecutions and restric-
| lions which have been imposed upon them
SO long. but there is no formal agreement
nnr,cr thnv, L. cot NtnS,
announced a few weeks ago that the Rus
sian government had decided to modify the
passport regulations by removing all dis
elimination against race and religion. Mr..
| Stratus had a strong hope that the reforms
promised were soon to be realized; but he
| was not aware that anything practical had
been done.
| The press dispatches from st. Petersburg
| state that 1.-The amount of gold in the Rus
| sian treasury rose from $529, OO0, 900 at the
| end of 1908 to $6f4. 5000 on July IA, 1904
| and this amount had not decreased up to
December 81" 80 4
| George E. Roberts. director Of the mint.
| has recent official figures from st. Peters
| burg which do not correspond with this
| statement, for at the beginning Of tho year
| 1904 the total gold reserve of the Russian
! government was TAO. SOC. coo rubies. A ruAle
! is 81 cents In American gold. which makes
7 the total reserve $374.OO0.OOO, instead Of
| $614, 100000.
An Official Statement.
The latest official statement is published
! in L'Economiste Francois, the leading
| French financial authority. which Is friend
| ly to Russia and would be likely to give as
| favorable an account as conditions will per-
! nit The paper gives the total gold re-
| serve as 500 932, 900 rubles. which Is about
! $435, 900. 900. or nearly two hundred millions
| less than the kilograms from st. Peters
| burg would make 1t. On the LIST of January,
! 1904 the Russian government had $685.
| cd N London
Paris, Berlin and other financial centers. On
| the oath of December last its balance in
foreign banks was 168,946,OOO rubles, or ap-
| proximately $s0,00O,0O0.
| Nearly all of the supplies for the Russian
| army can be furnished from local sources
| and can be paid for with government paper
| money, but everything bought abroad must
| be paid for in gold.
| The disposition of the Jewish bankers who
| control the money market Of Europe has
| been very hostile, and while there Is no
| formal agreement, they are united in their
| determination to prevent Russia from OBJ
| tanning outside financial assistance until
| the restrictions against their co-relgionists
| In that country have been modified and per-
| secutions have ceased. Secretary Hay was
| encouraged to hope that the regulations
| which now prohibit Jews from passing the
| boundaries Of Russia would be modified
long before this, but he has no official in
| formation on the subject. and 1t is inferred
| that the government at st. Petersburg has
| had its attention distracted by matters OF
| more vital Importance.
Ravages Of "Pot Hunters"
| For many years "pot-hunters." as they
| are Familiarity called, have been devastat-
| ing the ruins and other remains of extinct
| civilizations and races in the western ter
ritories in a most ruthless manner to OBJ
| tain mummies. pottery and other articles
| of antiquity for sale to museums and curio
! dealers. This has been one Of the recog-
nized industries Of New Mexico Arizona
southern Utah, southern Colorado and
| other parts of the southwest In several
cities are large establishments filled with
| that sort of plumber. Carloads are shipped
| eastward every few weeks. Enormous
| quantities have been sent to Europe and
| sold The shelves Of public and private