The Washington times., 1915-09-11
COMES TO ARRANGE /.
TRADE WITH RUSSIA
Special Delegate Will Visit Prin-
cipaI Cities to Lay Com
merce Foundation.

To lay the foundations for future
growth Of commerce between Russia
and the chief ports Of North America.
and to work for general trade extension
and the creation Of a Russian-Ameri-
can bank at Moscow. Alexander Behr.
vice president Of the Russian American
chamber of Commerce. is coming to
the United States for a tour Of indus.
trial cities, and series of conferences
with trade organizations.
Mr.. Rehr sailed from Christiania Sep
tember ;, and as an official of the Mos
COW chamber of commerce. will make
a series of personal visits to confer not
only with trade organizations, but their
most active members. Mr.. Behr Will
have the cooperation of the Bureau OK
Foreign and Domestic Commerce Of the
De pa rtment of CONNER rec on his tour.
He will be met at New York by rep
rescntative of the bureau who Will con-
fer with him as to his itinerary. ana
assist In gaining for him as vice
! The project for a Russian American
| Bank In Russia, has been brought TO
| the attention OF Consul General John
H. snodgrass at Moscow in the follow
| ing letter signed by the president, vice
| president. general manager and secre-
tary of the Russian-American chamber
| Of commerce.
| Of Extended Credit.
I'm our endeavors to enlarge the ex-
listing commercial relations between the
United states and Russia, we are con-
| fronted with questions of extended
| credit. means Of obtaining more prac-
tical methods of payments, and the need
of a medium whereby matters Of trans
portation. insurance. standing OF firms.
and other confidential subjects could be
treated to the satisfaction Of those in
the United States who are not ac-
quainted with Russia and its people.
and of Russian merchants not ac-
quainted with existing conditions OF
trade in the United States.
After mature consideration regard
ing the best means to ensure the sue
cess of the important undertaking
which we are endeavoring to establish
on firmer basis. we have arrived at
the conclusion that the establishment
of an American bank in Russia Is OF
the greatest Importance.
We do not overlook the fact that.
for many years. business transa ctions
between the United States and Russia
have been served and certainly served
very well, by existing banks in this
country, covering yearly millions or
dollars. and that such banks are even
at the present moment ready to meet
all requirements Of any specific indus
try, trade, or personal enterprise Yet
we are under the impression that were
there purely American bank estab;;
lishcd here with the purpose. first and
foremost to render the necessary as
sistance in all the various phases ,Ss Os
two countries, to serve as medium
when opportunity may arise in the In
vestment Of capital, and to offer to the
certain moral guaranty that their in
terests are safeguarded by an institu-
ton founded for the special purpose OF
trading with 1T TINS ncsns an eoor
nous business which could be devel-
oped.
For Acerican Bank.
I'm expressing our views on the estab-
lishment of an American bank in this
country. we advocate the most import
ant measure that concerns the life OF
our institution. and. naturally. we
should be most willing to direct all
work through the medium of such a
bank.
THE imports and exports of both
| countries have been reaching enor-
nous figures, not taking into account
any development that can certainly be
expected after the war. 1t might pc
sufficient to state that banks in this
country pay yearly dividends Of 10 to
IA per cent. but we are ready to give
you at any time more detailed infor-
nation. We request you to place our
wants before the financial circles of the
United States. with the object Of es-
tablshing an American bank In this
city with which we could cooperate IN
matters relating to our chamber OF
Commerce.
Judging by the interest and desire
shown by the commercial centers OF
both countries to greatly extend the eX-
isting business relations. and also by
| the data that have been accumulated In
our institution in the comparatively
short time of its existence, the ques-
tions stated are practically the first
which have to be settled before any
business proposition can be determined
or closAA