The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-12-31
Commercial Agreement Has Been in
Operation for Eighty Years and
Terminates at the Death
Of tho Year.
INTERNATIONAL LA
LAW WOMEN WERE sPARTANs
America Has tho Best Of Il In Trade
Relations and Holds Weapons
to Prevent Dlserlmlna-
ton by Russla.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service.
WASHINGTON, Dec. s1.--After q
life Of eighty years, the commercial
treaty between the United States and
Russia terminates today and the rela-
tions OF the two countries after to-
morrow will rest solely on the prinr
ciples OF international law.
While the ahrogation OF the treaty
leaves this country at the mercy OF
Russia's excessive tariff duties
about 25 percent higher than the ra.e
under the abrogated agreement--it is
tacitiy admitted here and at st. Pet
ersburg that there will be no tariff
war and until substitute treaty Is
made, both countries will adhere to
the letter OF the agreement OF 1882.
State department officials today ex-
pressed the belief that the maximum
and minimum provision OF the Payne
Aldrich tariff law, which gives the
United States weapon against ma
tions that discriminate against her,
was largely responsible for Russia's
friendly overtures toward the fulfill
ment Of another treaty.
The treaty of 1882, which was or
dered discontinued by President Taft
when Russia refused to cease dlscrim-
ination against American Jews In
Russia, was one Of the broadcast ent.
erred into by the United states with
foreign power Under its terms
was provided reciprocal treatment OF
the vessels OF either nation, while In
the ports of the other; mutual inter
change Of commerce and navigation
rules for the settlement Of estates OF
persons of one nationality who died
on the soil of the other country;
most favored nation treatment In
all matters OF exports and imports,
and regulation OF the power Of con
sular agents. II also provided for
treatment of deserters from the nav
les OF the two countries.
American interests in Russia are
valued at 225,000,o0o and there are
about 400 of our citizens residing
therc--far less than the number o.
Russians In this country.
The bureau Of statistics estimates
that this country sells to Russia each
year about s250,0o0,00o worth OF man
nfactured products, or about two
thirds more than Russia sells to this
country Because Of the difference In
the volume of marketable products of
each country, however, experts de.
clare that Russia's loss through a
tariff war would be as great or great
err than this country.
Another weapon which this country
possesses to prevent discrimination
by Russia, Is the fact that over half
OF the American merchandise and
food products sold in Russia are
handled through European jobbers,
who In many cases re-brand the arti-
cles with their own trade mark. Amer
ican trade with Russia has increaseo
nearly twenty-five percent in the past
HNS yours, anu Win Iiie ueVelOpI1leUt
OF thai country and the completion or
the Panama canal, experts declare It
will be one of this country's most val
uable customers. For that reason,
manufacturing interests. It Is beliey-
ed will bring pressure to bear on the
coming administration to enter into
a substitute agreement.
This belief is lent additional
strength because the trade mark con.
yention OF 1874. which protects pat
ented specialties in both countries,
automatically ceases with the abroga-
ton OF the commercial agreement.