El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-04
j. s. At THE
MERCY Of
RUSSIANS
Abrogation of Treaty Leaves
This Country Powerlass
Except in War.
NO PROTECTION
FOR AMERICANS

Washington, D. c., Jan. Through
the expiration of the Russian treaty of
1882 at midnight Tuesday night the
commerce between that country and
the United States, estimated at about
so million dollars annually, is placed
in a position of uncertainty amounting
to jeopardy.
No formal or informal understand
ing between the two governments look
ing towards the continuance and regu-
laUion of this international trade, mas
been made since the treaty abroSat ton
by president Taft and the whole mat
ter Will be left for the action OF the
incoming Wilson administration.
At the state department is is said
that undoubtedly the general arbitra-
cation will apply, but just how far
they will tend to relieve the situa-
ton they do not pretend to predict It
is pointed out, however, that the two
nations are on the best of terms and
that the comfy between nations would
guarantee American citizens IN Rus
though it would form no insurance
against discrimination.
Americans May suffer Most.
That any retallatOry policy that
might be adopted would bear more
heavily on American firms than Rus
sian business organizations is readily
ratio OF harm that such a policy would
work upon international traders would
be about two to one with the United
States on the heavy end This IS made
evident by the export and import sta
tistics between the two countries re-
Gently made public These showed that
the United States yearly sells about
twice as much to Russia as Russia does
to the United States.
Dangers to Americans.
The dangers to American trade and
American citizens that may follow in
the wake of the treaty abrogation are
outlined as follows:
A local license or regulation deny
ing Americans the right to do bust
ness in any part of Russia
Exclusion of all American citizens
whether of the Jewish race or not
from Russian territory.
Prohibitive tariffs in discrimination
against American goods.
The refusal OF American CONSULAR
rights over the estates OF American
citizens In Russia
U. S. Cannot RetnIIate.
Against all Of these dangers, the alb
sence of a treaty between Russia and
the United States would render the
latter country powerless to retaliate-
if law of the United States would be
of little avail should Russia set out
upon q policy of discrimination.
The decision of this government to
terminate the agreement between Rus
STA and the United States was reached
a little more than year ago by presi-
sentatives had passed a sweeping reso-
luton formally terminating the treaty
and directing the president to carry
out its mandate. The reason, as is Wen
known, was the refusal of the Rus
sian government to recognize Amer1-
can passports when held by American
Car is Stubborn.
Efforts were repeatedly made
through the state department to in
duce the cars authorities to live up
to the terms of the treaty, and since
the action taken by congress and the
president year ago, various attempts
channels to formulate a new agree
ment which, in more explicit and def
mite manner, would oblige Russia to
recognize American passports. These
efforts nave been fruitiess, however,
and now the Taft administration has
abandoned its diplomatic negotiations
tlement of the matter or the trouble
resulting from failure, to the wilson
administration.
The AbrOEated Treaty.
The abrogated treaty embraces IL
articles The first relates to the mu-
tual protection Of citizens Of one coun-
condition of their submitting to the
laws and ordinances there prevailing
1t was Russia's failure to adhere to
the American construction of this ar
ticle which led to ithe termination Of
Article has to do with the exemp-
house dues So long as Russia does
not make exactions of this character
upon American vessels, the United
States is bound by its laws not to
do so.
Article 8 provides that Russian goods
Imported into this country in Russian
vessels shall pay no higher duties than
when imported in American vessels,
and vice versa. Article 4 is supple
mental to the third article.
deals with exports, does
article 3 with imports
Article relates to the subject of
maximum and minimum tariffs, but
trouble in this respect is obviated by
reason of the tariff agreement made
with Russia under the Payne-Aldrich
Article 7 reserves the coastwise trade
of each nation to the vessels Of that
Article 8 specifies the relationship
of consuls maintained by each country
in the other ana enables them to carry
on the business of their offices Tor
the governments they represent.
.TurisdictiOn of COnsuls.
Article enables cOnsuls to have
Jurisdiction in the settlement of diff
ferences between masters and crews
the waters Of the other and provides
for calling for local assistance IN max
ing arrests and preserving the peace.
Article 10 provides for the admin
istration of estates of deceased per-
sons in one country by the consuls Of
suIs in this country are concerned
state laws win enable them to con-
tinue their duties in this respect but
there is uncertainty as to what eX-
tent Russia will permit American con-
suls to exercise the right which has
E.-w. Nr-Er.