No. 79.
Mr. Lothrop to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg, February 18, 1888. (Received March
6.)
No. 159.]
Sir: On the 10th of August last this
legation transmitted to the Russian Government the invitation of
the United States to co operate towards “either a reduction or a
complete abolition, by reciprocal action, of tonnage and
equivalent charges on navigation.”
At the same time information was asked “whether in the ports of
Russia or any dependencies thereof any discrimination existed
against vessels of the United States as compared with those of
Russia (other than those engaged in coasting or colonial trade),
or the vessels of any other country.”
A reply to said communication has this day been received from the
imperial foreign office, a copy of which, with a translation
thereof, I herewith inclose.
It will be seen that it is answered that no such discrimination
exists, but that the equality and complete reciprocity
stipulated for by Article II of the treaty of commerce ratified
May 11, 1833, is faithfully observed.
It is also pointed out that since the making of said treaty
Russia has made treaties with other powers, and that Article XI
of said treaty admits the vessels of the United States to ail
the privileges granted by said later treaties to the most
favored nation. But it is claimed that, in this state of things,
the reduction of existing charges, etc., would place American
vessels in positions more advantageous than national vessels, as
under existing treaties the vessels of other nations would be
admitted the same privileges. It is added, however, that the
question has now no practical side, for, according to the report
of 1886, only one American bottom has entered a Russian port,
and only three Russian bottoms have arrived from American ports,
while not a single one has cleared for that country.
For these reasons the Imperial Government declines to accede to
the proposition of the United States.
The deplorable condition of the carrying trade between the United
States and Russia, referred to above, was mentioned by me in my
dispatch No. 10, September 16, 1885. At the beginning of this
winter, after the closing of this port by ice, it was said that
there were at one time, in the neighboring port of Revel, thirty
cotton laden ships coming direct from America, not one of which
was an American bottom.
Very truly, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
159.Translation.]
Mr. Vlangaly to Mr. Lothrop.
Imperial Ministry of Foreign
Affairs,
Department of Internal
Relations,
St
Petersburg, July 4 (16),
1888.
No. 817.]
Mr. Minister: Under date of July 29
(August 10), 1887, the legation of the United States
presented to the imperial ministry the proposal of the
Government of the United States to establish an agreement
with the object of a reciprocal reduction or abolition of
tonnage and other charges on commercial vessels.
This proposal has been submitted to the examination of the
competent administrations,
[Page 1954]
and I am now able to inform you of
the point of view from which the Imperial Government looks
at this question.
By the terms of Article ii of the
treaty of commerce and navigation between Russia and the
United States of December 6 (18), 1832, American vessels in
the ports of the Empire are treated upon the same footing as
national vessels in respect to tonnage duties. Although in
regard to other duties and charges, of whatever kind or
denomination, American vessels are treated upon the same
footing as the vessels of the most favored nations with
which there is no treaty actually in force which regulates
said duties and charges on the basis of an entire
reciprocity, nevertheless, taking into consideration that,
by Article xi of the same treaty,
it is stipulated that any particular favor in commerce or
navigation granted in the future to any other nation shall
immediately become common to the United States, Russia
having during this period made with other foreign powers
treaties of commerce and navigation by which the vessels of
these powers are treated on the footing of perfect equality
with our national vessels, the same favor must be granted to
American vessels. Consequently American vessels now enjoy in
Russian ports, so far as relates to duties and charges
imposed on vessels, the same privileges as the national
vessels, and consequently the reduction of these charges
would place American vessels in more advantageous conditions
than national vessels, and as a consequence this privilege
would have to be granted to the vessels of every nation
which, by virtue of treaties actually in force, enjoys the
privileges of the most favored nation.
Independently of the considerations above stated there is one
having a practical side which could not be disputed.
The proposal of the Government of the United States, in case
of its acceptance, would have a very restricted application,
for, according to the report for the year 1886, there has
been only one arrival and one departure of an American
vessel in Russia, and only three of Russian vessels coming
from America and not one destined for that country.
By reason of the foregoing the Imperial Government does not
see its way to accede to the proposal of the Government of
the United States.
Receive, Mr. Minister, etc.,
