Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-12-20
THE CAR RELENTS
ANOTHER GOOD RESULT OF RoosE-
WELT PEACE POLICY.

Russia Voluntarily Abandcns Tariff
Determination and Restores Unit
! ed States Exports TO the Most Fa-
voFed Nation Basis.
! The retaliatory tariff game has not
worked well for Russia, and she has
dropped ii. Notice to this effect has
been given TO our government in u
communication presented by NJ. White
on the 9th of September from Car
Nicholas to President Roosevelt, as fol-
| lows:
Some years ago, in consequence Of a
Misunderstanding in the Interpretation Of
the most favored nation clause. there were
established in Russia on several articles
OF American production custom duties on
higher scale than those levied on the
same articles wheA imported from other
countries.
His majesty the emperor OF Russia has
commanded me to inform the president OF
the United States that he has been pleased
10 order the discontinuance of the leyying
of such higher duties on American prod
ucts in order that henceforth the Ameri-
can manufacturers should pay the same
duties as importers from other countries.
Russia's resort to the retaliation plan
began In 1901 and was caused by the
imposition by our government of a
countervailing duty on Russian sugar
in accordance with the requirements OF
section of the Dl1gley law. During
the negotiations IN 1900 for recipaoe-
ity treaty this government suspended
the countervalling duties on sugar Inn
ported from Russia as matter Of
courtesy. These countervailing duties
had been provided for In the Dingley
act, to apply whenever any country
should pay or In any indirect way be-
stow bounty on merchandise export
ed All such commodities when brought
into the United States, whether shipped
directly or brought from another coun-
try, were made subject to an additional
duty TO equal the bounty. Duties of
this sort were imposed on imports
from Argentina, Austria, Denmark,
France, Germany and Russia.
After the suspension of the counter
vailing duties In 1900 Russian sugar
was sent 10 this country in increasing
ly large amounts. The other beet sug-
ar producing countries of Europe be-
gan TO be injuriously affected and
made complaints. They demanded that,
as Russia was paying bounty on ex-
ports OF sugar, the United States
should restore the cour.ervailirlg du-
ties to make matters eSen.
A special agent was sent to Russia to
inquire into the precise operation of
eminent then served notice on this sov-
ernment that II the countervailing u.
ties were reimposed II would result IL
| the imposition OF maximum duties on
| iron, petroleum. meats aud several 9th
n commodities that we sent TO Russia.
/ The Hague conference on sugar
bounties held that Russia was paying
a bounty on sugar. Tile supreme court
of the United States also took this
view, and Secretary Gage restored the
countervailing duties in compliance
with the decision of the supreme court
| Following this action an order of the
| Russian minister of finance imposed
maximum duties on certain American
articles, the increases ranging from &c
to 80 per cent Generally stated, these
articles were cast iron wares, manu-
features of iron and steel, iron and
steel boilers. tanks, bridges, pipes, etc;
machinery. sewing machines, meters,
dynamos. portable engines, locomo
tives and locomotive ears, automobiles
and fire engines.
| The resembling of the maximum tar
if decree is voluntary action on the
part of Russia, FASTENED, IL is likely
| by the successful result OF the peace
negotiations instituted on the recon
mendation OF President Roosevelt
Russia found that commercial hostility
toward the United States was losing
proposition. Germany will make tbs
same discovery II she elects to enforce
her outrageous tariff determinations
against the products Of this country
II Is probable that Germany will think
better OF it and follow Russia's exam
pie in granting most favored natlor
rates