Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-12-26
RUSSIA PLANS RAISE
IN TARIFF SCHEDULE
ON AMERICAN GOODS
Proposal Made to Increase Ex-
listing Duties by 100 Per
Cent and Tax Goods Now
Admitted Free
(By Associated Prsss.)

ST. PETERSBURG, Dec PA legisla-
tive proposal to provide for tariff war;
schedules applicable to the United States
at the expiration OF the Russo-AEerf-
can treaty of commerce and navigstiou
of 1892 has been introduced into the duna
by ex-President Guchkoff and other sign
ers representing the octoberist and Ma
tionaIist parties, which control the MAJ
jority of the duma-
The bill proposes to raise existing
Russian duties by 100 per cent and also
to impose duty of 100 per cent on ar
ticles which are admitted free under the
present Russian tariff. Besides these
mpositions the bill proposes also to levy
double the gross weight tax established
by the law of June 81. 1901. on merchan-
disc arriving b. sea and to levy a dou-
BILE tonnage tax. Should the present
American tonnage tax be raised to the
disfavor OF the Russian vessels. then the
Russian tonnage tax will be corresponds
ingly increased.
1t is said that the schedules are to
be applicable TO all countries which DO
not grant to Russia the most favored
nation treatment IN commerce and nayi-
CATION.
The proposal win be submitted to q
financial committee
The necessity for the proposed legisla-
ton Is explained in an accompanying
declaration in which it is stated that the
regular American tariff schedules which
will be. applicable TO Russian goods at
the expiration of the treaty Of commerce.
and navigation OF 1882 viii be 50 high
as to have a prohibitiye character and
that they greatly exceed the Russian
normal tariff and navigation taxes. which
will be naturally applicable to Ameri-
can goods in the absence Of the treaty.
DUMAS POWER LIMITED
The province of foreign affairs lies out
side the competence OF the duma and
treaties are not subject to its approval.
nor is the minister for foreign affairs
answerable to the duma on the state OF
foreign relations. Nevertheless. the duma
exercises through the budget an influence
on foreign affairs and relations.
In the long declaration accompanying
the bill the signers deal fully with the
Russo American situation and recount
the formal steps taken by the president
OF the United States.
THE abrogation of the treaty between
Russia and America has direct con-
nection with the annual Russian declara-
ton which has been energetically con-
Quoted in America for readmission OF
American citizens of Jewish faith. Article
Ill he sf4qoI
rights of entry. but contains stipula-
ton for the observance of internal laws
Deeming, in spite of this stipulation that
the enforcement of the general Russian
laws in regard to foreigners of the jew
ish religion. in the case of American
Jewish citizens, constitutes an infringe
ment of the treaty, the house Of repre-.
sentatives veted.a resolution for its obro-
cation.
VIEW UNFOUNDED."
ssThere cannot be any. doubt that this
view is unfounded. The Russian govern
ment and its 7 representatives abroad cam
not but fulfill the requirements OF the
Russian law contained In paragraphs zlS
to 2S5 of the passport statute and para
graph SIG and the following ones of the
law on social rights, as long as these
remain in force
son the other hand the question OF
admission or no admission into Russia
of categories OF foreigners belong to the
province Of internal legislation upon the
general principles of international law
as well as on the strength Of the article
/ OF the treaty Of 1882.
THUS the I nited States has enacted
very. strict regulations seriously limiting
the rights of entry of foreigners and
there is no doubt that the federal gov
eminent would ward off any attempt TO
dispute the legalf y of those regulations
from an international point Of view"
STRICT ON RUSSIANS.
The declaf alton then quotes textually
article II of he federal Immigration law
sof February 20. 1907, and continues:
IF we tale into considera ton also that
the American law imposed head tax
on the whole line of the Foreigners seek
ing Americ an shores. il becomes clear
how stern are the restrictions to which
Russians arriving in America are sub
jected We do not question the right of
the federal government to apply any im-
migration laws which are dictated by
reasons of state. but we must note for
that very. reason that the motive for the
abrogation of the treaty of 1892 adduced
in the resolution of the house OF repre-
sentative is unfounded.