Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-21
RUSS|A'S NEW TARIFF
Duties on American Machinery
Greatly Increased.
GERMANS ARE FAVORED
Only Hope For Relief Lies in
Congress.
SOME POSSIBLE CONDOLENCES
Recent Investigation Of Agricultural
Department Statistics-Cause As
signed for Increase in Insanity.
SOME POSSIBLE CONDOLENCES
BY WILLIAM e. CURTIS.


Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
Notwithstanding its troubles abroad and
its disturbances at home. the Russian gov
eminent has continued to perform its func-
tons and the ministry of foreign relations
and the department of commerce have been
doing business just as usual. Some of their
recent transactions seriously affec. iInpor-
tant interests in the United States, although
no one in this country seems to be aware of
the fact, and our embassy and consulate at
ST. Petersburg have evidently been SO eX-
cited over the strikes and instructions that
they have not informed the Department of
State on the subject
On the list of March next lie duties upon
machinery, electrical supplies and other ar
t1cles which are shipped in large quantities
from the United States to Russia VIII be
taxed nearly 100 per cent more than at pres
ent. The duties to be raised for the pro-
lection of American. German and other
manufacturers who have been induced 10
build factories and invest capital in the
Russian empire. This is the second time
that the Russian government has mere iscd
Its import duties upon such merchandise for
the same reason. and the manufacturers OF
the United States are the principal suffer-
ers, I Ambassador Meyer or Consul Gen
this fact he has not reported ii to the De-
part11ent of State.
Last year our direct exports to Russia
were about $4,000 600 but our indIrec. ex-
ports through Hamburg and other Euro
pean markets were very much larger. Ham
burg, being free port. where there are no
customs houses, is the great distributing
point for eastern Europe, and nearly all the
large manufacturers in the Cnited States
have agencies there to receive and trans-
ship goods intended for Russia, Austria and
other parts of Europe.
The principal direct exports to Russia last
year were as follows:
Agricultural implements. SO, SO 705
Ctl :. 5,IZo,54o
Solton SOOOS. 1910, 147
There was also a large quantity of iron
ana steel, electrical supplies and other man
ufactures. On the LIST of March the duties
on all these articles will be raised % to 100
AS Count de White told me- when a similar
advance was made in 1903, it is merely "a
Yankee trick for the purpose of increasing
the profits of Americans who were induced
TO go over to Russia and set I'D manufac-
turing industries by Mr.. Routkowsiy the
enterprising financial agent who was en-
nected with the Russian embassy here for
several years. Therefore, We should rot
nave much cause ~ complain if it were not
for the fact that the German manufacturers
of these same articles, who are prac ticaI!y
our only competitors, will receive conces-
sions of about one-half of the new duties
under reciprocity treaty recently made be-
tween the two governments. Germany
agrees to admit agricultural products from
Russia at her minimum rates of duty under
this treaty, and Russia reciprocates by CIV
ing the manufactures of Germany the ben
eft of the minimum duties of her tariff
Hence German manufacturers of machinery
engines, motors, copper wire, electrical sup
plies and agricultural implements of all
kinds will have a great advantage over
American manufacturers who produce the
same things, We are to be shut out of the
German market also although that govern
ment Is perfectly willing to meet US half
way and give us the same advantages for
our agricultural products that she has given
to Russia. 1t Is almost certain that the
Russian government will do the same ir we
could make treaty of reciprocity Rut the
Senate would not ratify 1t and the House of
Representatives would not agree to the re-
duction in our tariff rates on any article, no
matter how much we might gain thereby.