The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-12-29
H CAR RELENTS
ANOTHER GOOD RESULT OF ROOSE-
WELT PEACE POLICY.

WELT PEACE POLICY.
Russia Voluntarily AbandOns Tarl6
Discrimination and Restores Unit
vOred Nation Basis.
The retaliatory tariff game has not
worked we'll for Russia, and she has
dropped it. Notice to this effect has
been given to our government in a
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
a higher scale than those levied on the
same articles when 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
to order the discontinuance Of the levying
OF such higher duties on American prod
uClS, III OTUeT that H6ICGIOTtn the Amorl-
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 u government of a
countervailing duty on Russian sugar
in accordance with the requirements Of
section 5 of the Dingley law. During
tho nnrnfiatinnc II, 1000 fnr n rnc;nroo
ity treaty this government suspended
the countervailing duties on sugar i'm
ported from Russia as a 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 a bounty on merchandise export
cd. All such commodities when brought
into the United States, whether shipped
directly or brought from another coun-
try, We're 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 to 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 a bounty Oh ex-
ports of sugar, the United States
should restore the countervailing du-
ties to make matters even.
A special agent was sent to Russia to
inquire into the precise operation Of
thu Russian bounty. The Russian gov
eminent then served notice on this gov
ties were reimposed it would result in
the imposition of maximum duties on
iron, petroleum, meats and several 9th
er commodities that we sent to Russia.
The Hague conference on sugar
bounties held that Russia was paying
4 bounty on sugar. The supreme court
Of the United States also took this
view, and Secretary Gage restored the
countervailfng 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 20
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 inc locomotive cars, automobiles
and fire engines.
The resembling of the maximum tar
III decree Is a voluntary action on the
part of Russia, fastened, it is likely,
by the successful result Of the q
negotiations instituted on the recon-
mendation of President Roosevelt.
Russia found that commercial hostility
toward the United States was a losing
proposition. Germany will make the
same discovery If she elects to enforce
her outrageous tariff determinations
against the products of this country.
1t is probable that Germany will think
better Of 1t and follow Russia's exam
pie in granting most favored nation
rates.