The problem of the dependence of Russian railway transport on foreign supplies during the First World War is considered. For
the first time, this issue is revealed through the prism of a public discussion, which was conducted on the pages of the Russian periodical press on the issues of American procurement for railways. Particular attention is paid to criticism of the current situation in the field of railway transport, the danger of dependence of the Russian industry on foreign powers
(both hostile, neutral and allied) and the need for import substitution. New sources are introduced into scientific circulation (materials of the periodical press, transcripts of meetings
of the State Duma), which make it possible to get a more complete picture of both the problems that have developed in the field of railway transport and their perception in Russian
society. It is noted that despite the positive attitude of the press to the establishment of commercial and industrial relations with America, many publicists and politicians noted that
the replacement of German capital and industrial goods with American ones posed no less danger for Russia in the future, which could only be avoided through the development
of national production