Mr. Peirce to Mr.
Hay.
Embassy
of the United States,
St.
Petersburg, March 15,
1899.
No. 275.]
Sir: Referring to my No. 249 of the 13th
ultimo, I now have the honor to inclose copy and translation of a note
from the foreign office relating to the proposed American exposition in
Russia.
I have, etc.,
[Page 597]
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Count Lamsdorff
to Mr. Peirce.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Second
Department,
St.
Petersburg, March 1,
1899.
Monsieur le Chargé d’affaires: I have
transmitted to the minister of finance your note of 1 (13) February,
in regard to the subject of a proposed exposition of American
products in St. Petersburg or Moscow.
Mr. Witte has to-day advised me that, taking into consideration the
fact that the proposed exposition will have a temporary character,
he will in this case be able to accord the following customs
privileges: The American products intended for display at this
exposition may enter free upon the condition that the sum
corresponding to the amount of the duties on the products be
deposited as guarantee. This sum will be returned in case the
products in question shall be exported within a certain time. If the
committee of organization of the exposition accepts these conditions
the minister of finance wishes to know what shall be the space of
time during which it would be the intention to exhibit the American
products in Russia.
Accept, etc.,
