The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-26
SAYS U. s. NEGLECTS
CHANGES IN RUSSIA
Alexander Znamiecki Gives
Figures Showing Low Rank
Among Exporters.
GERMANY'S TRADE LARGE

A statistical review or the trade OF
the United states and Russia. probably
the first authoritative document based
on official statistics to he published In
this country, Is included in last weeks
issue OF the Americas. printed by the
National city Bank. This review is in
teresting at the present time when the
ACCESSIBILITY of formulating new com
merclal treaty with Russia is being dis
cussed.
The National city Bank. in n special
division Of its foreign trade department,
is conducting an Investigation with ref
erence TO American trade opportunities
In Russia This analysis IL one of the
results of studies made by Alexander
Znamiccki who besides having been an
exporter to Russia has made expert
studies in London and Petrograd of the
economies of the Cars empire.
AT the present time" writes Mr..
Znamiccki. "one is Justified in drawing
the attention Of American manufacture
ers and merchants 20 the Russo Ameri-
can trade opportunities which promise
to exist after the war. The primary OBJ
ject of my article Is to confirm by fig
ures the prospective great opportunities
for Russo American trade generally and
TO give full details about all classes OF
goods likely TO be exported or imported
in large quantities. The normal rate OF
exchange, 5l.5 cents per ruble. has been
applied in all calculations"
Imports Increase Rapidly.
contains a population OF more than l70,-
900. 900. spreading over territory totalling
one-seventh OF the land surface of the
earth, Mr. Znamiecki shows that Rus
eia's imports approximately doubled in
the ten years from 1903 TO 1913 This
growth II explained by Russia's natural
increase of population, her greater pro-
ductivity and welfare and also the great
progress made in industrial and com
mercial organization. In 1913. Russia 8
imports totalled more than 1907 0. 600.
Her exports, almost entirely foodstufs
and raw materials. have grown less
rapidly.
at would be dangerous to name anv
definite figure for the actual exports
Of American goods into Russia, but on-
is justified In saying that the value is
likely TO be at least double the amount
of sio.740.000 accredited in 1919 10 the
United States by the Russian official
statistics" says the writer
Mr.. Znamleckrs lis, of Russian inn
ports. according to countries of origin
furnishes eloquent proof OF the po-si-
bility OF greatly increasing this figure
after the war Especially is this true
In view OF Russlas unofficial offer, al.
ready made. to transfer 10 the United
States the trade formerly carried or
with Germany.
Dsregarding mistakes In thu Russian
official statistics as regards tho subdi
vision of Russian imports according e
countries OF origin. It appears that n
1918 Germany controlled s335.S00, -0C
| worth OF Russian imports. or AS pc
cent. OF the total Great Britain haC
ssg.lOO.0oO. or 1876 pcr cent. Chm
had $4,000. 600. o. 81 per cent. IN.
United states sio.7oo.oOo. or SIS pc
cent. and France eco. 100000. or a.
I per cent.
Mr. Znam.ecki appends a detailed lis
/ OF Russian imports originating in Ger
many. Great Britain and the United
! States
with few exceptions" he explains
the United States exports In 1919 com
/ pared very uufavornhly with those %
! Germany, and IN some cases with those
Of Great Britain but there IS no rea
son whatever 70 doubt that With the %
tahlishmcnt OF direct trade relations
with Russia and with the organization
| OF direct shipping and banking facill
/ ties the United States could occup,
n frer the present war "A leading position
| I'm the expectation Of many Of the gpod
/ imported nv Russia"