Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1901 — TRADE CLOUD ARISES. [ARTICLE]

TRADE CLOUD ARISES.

Secretary Omge Admits that Knasla’s Action la Ominona. ▲ Washington dispatch saya that the horizon is being carefully scanned by members of the administration and of Congress for signs of an approaching trade war with Europe. The Russian retaliation is the first cloud to appear in the bright sky of our commercial prosperity, and it is feared that it will grow to such proportions ns to involve our commerce in a desperate struggle. In discussing the situation Secretary Gage, white not pessimistic, admits thnt there is gram danger of our experts beings subjected to onerous duties. The cessation of hostilities in the Philippines or in South Africa or a satisfactory solution of : the Chinese problem would, in his opin- ! ion, give renewed impetus to our export * trade. Ti(e restoration of peace in Africa and Asia would open new markets which we could dominate under existing conditions. On the other hand, however, Secretary Gage would not be surprised should the lead of-Russia, in the event it proved successful, be followed by other European nations. The inyiiediate effect of the Russian docree, when it becomes operative, will be to inereuse by 50 per cent the duties on American machinery, steel and iron goods. These goods already enjoy tw(J ; separate reductions, 30 per cent being | taken off from the general and 20 per 1 cent from the conventional duties. Thg articles referred to in the Russian decree are machinery and tools of every kind,, manufactures and products of cost iron and steel. Roughly stated, the JJnited States is said to have exported goods of j this description to Russia last year to the I amount of about $30,000,000. The addi- ! tion of 50 per cent to the duty will, it is thought, prove practically prohibitory, j— Secretary Gage is dazed at the quick action of tjjc Russian government in putting prohibitive duties on American exports, in retaliation for the increased ; duty on Russian sugar added by Mr. Gage. The Secretary expected the Russian government would submit to the duty until the Federal courts had pronounced on the question whether Russia actually pays a sugar bounty. The action taken means that the Russian government will not concern itself with a i test case nor await the issue of such a case. However, there isjm expectation ! that the American importers of Russian sugar will make the tight in their own interest.