The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-14
FRANCE.

eluded, and Why 1t should Bc-Cata-
caxy Ina Paris-A Sensational story or
= the East in Which Americans Are
n Mixed Up.
PARIS Nay 1s, 1872.
The postal treaty concluded In February last be-
u tween France ami Germany came up this week for
Il discussion In the National Assembly The ratnca-
81 ton agreed 10 after sharp debate LASTING two
days. and In the OF which great deal OF irr-
n tatton and bitterness OF feeling displayed to-
e wards Prussia. One OF the Deputies-the Connie de
3Choiseui-went far to stlgmatize the
convention a shameful arrangement" It
must be added, however, that the Deputy
i himself was apparently not ashamed to m IKE most
absurd statements in regard to postal ana CONNER
cial relations with other countries The oppos
: ton alleged that the terms of the treaty were
sentIaly "German,, and that the French
negotiators had been induced 10 accept them under
a sense OF fear and dictaton Several Deputies, in
p view Of these circumstances, impored their col
leagues TO withhold their adhesion. Their argn-
ments were successfully combated, and the Post
master General. NJ Rampont, wen NJ. de
y Remusat, the Minister OF Foreign Affairs. showed
that the traditional policy, to which those oppos
ing the treaty desired to bind the government
! had exploded many years ago.
THE INNOVATION.
1t was proved moreover, that the innovation
be stigmatized as purely favoring German inter-
4 ests. The innovation embodied principles OF pro-
gress universally recognized by all civilized nations
n France alone had hitherto hung back in regard to
Ipostal reforms. Among other arguments the
Minister OF Foreign Affairs made the following
: marks relative to the necessity ola
POSTAL TREATY WITH THE UNITED STATES.
M. de Remusat said :--''Some time since attempts
q were made to regulate our postal intercourse with
8 America. There Is not a merchant In this House
q who does not recognize the fact that pos
tai relations with that country are in a
i most deporable condition IL is in
reality scandal. The existing state
n of things excites provocatton and affords en-
engagement to defraud The Post ONCE. The nego-
e. tiatons favoring treaty proved a failure by
81 reason of obstacles which have already pointed
out--we adhered to principles which had become
r obsolete. No understanding has been arrived at
q and the failure entails deplorabe Inconvenience
y nom which we have, unfortunately, not been able
to eXtrlcate ourselves.
81 ''Prussia on her part, had declared her unwilling
T. ness to adhere any further to an antauated sys
TEN. She signifed her determination rather to de-
\ nonnce tue treaty and to cali for Postal Congress
81 with the view of establishing uniformity OF rates
a throughout Europe.
~ Nor must it he supposed that this proposition is
81 merely sustained by writers political economy
the fact il, the Postal Department is deeply pene-
= trated with the Importance that these new princi
pies should be adopted as a future basis.n
81 WHY A POSTAL TREATY WITH AMERICA WAS NOT
CONCLUDED.
To believe other statements, it appears that the
authorities of the French Post ONCE were really
disposed to accede TO the terms proposed by Mr..
n Cresweli some two or three years ago; but the
Minister of Finances, under whose jurisdiction the
French Post once s worked, was violently opposed
f. to any innovation. Thanks to his obstinacy, we
am inclined to think howcver the u does not
k rest entirely with the French government. The
T. negotiations on the American side ought to have
been entrusted, In the ordinary course OF things to
the care OF the Legation at Paris; hut for some
4. reason or other, Uncle Sans representative was
superseded and the negotiations conGded to dele
gates sent specially from Washington, and who,
"a VITA the aid Of an interpreter, bungled through a
"a which ended finally in our remaining without any
treaty whatever.
THE LATE DEBATE ON THE POSTAL TREATY
81 with Germany favOrs the impression that the time
has come when re-esta blshment Of postal inter
course might be effected The Importance involved
r. therein determined me to call on the Postmaste
81 General for the purpose of feeling his pulse and 0
reportng on the prospects of revival OF postal re
bring good tidngs from the Hotel DIES Postes th
r Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau. asked permission t
2eyplain tho
y INCONVENIENCE wHIcH THE AMERICAN PROFILE
WE'RE EXPOSED,
and--I begged him TO pardon me for adding-the
disgust created by the total absence postal facll
ties The present rate OF postage for single letter
four cents az. 2oc), while the British rate is axct
at six cents to any part of the United States Tn,
immediate consequence Is that Americans ignor'
entirely the French Post ONCE. Lcttesa from Paf
Mgo under cover to London or Liverpool, sub
E1ect to charge Of six cents, and are re
= mailed In England with another siX-Cent stamp
81 In that way the French authorities are saved tn,
trouble OF making up an American mail ! ex
pounded the folly OF adhering TO the exorbtan
rate and further explained to the Postmaster Gen
eral the Inconvenience OF forwarding mails by SLOW
trains to and from the ports and thence by second
b: class steamers. The gentleman listened with grea
ri attention to my statements, which, although the,
conveyed nothing new in the abstract, were no
# known to him In full detail Thus for instance,
pointed out TO him the fact that to a merchant o
to a banker it might probably be matter OF litti,
concern whether the rate OF postage for a lette
n was fixed st ten cents or at twenty. TO hin
r. despatch and rapid transit IL the great object
"a There are no convenient mail trains between PART
ami Havre, nor are express trains running In TIL
direction OF Brest and Cherboug. The loss Of inter
est entailed In delaying the arrival Of remittance
Is really enormous. In order to convey an idea 0
the
MAGNITUDE or THE COMMERCIAL INTERCOURSE
with the United States, may mention that tn,
receipts at the American Consulate in Pari.
amounted, during the first three months Of this
year TO the iormiaao i sum OF $4,000; Thes,
- levet on invoices OF goods shipped to New York
The government in this Instance has income Of
upwards OF 100000; could not tnat sum ne applied
+ towards Substituting more rapid transit OF oul
mails A proposition has been made at various
times to establish mail agencies In Europe. In tina
case the American Post once could control The
- transmlsson aud save hundreds of thousands o
dollars 1t IL notorious that traveller throughout
Vs. the entire Continent OF Europe can beat the mails
( by many hours any day In the week.
vi REFORM BEFORE LONG.
However, TO return 10 my conversation with the
r. Postmaster General of Paris, I may say there il
~ every reason TO believe that the existing nuisance
81 will cease TO exist ere long At all events, have
the assurance OF the chief OF the Department that
active preparations are being made in tnat direc
ton. Mr.. Washburne will shortly be enabled to
transmit to Washington a proposition which, II IL
0hoped, win meet the views OF the Postmaster Gene.
raj Of the United States. II will not be the fault
NJ Rampont the French Postmaster, to whom
a explained In full detail all that people require.
FL CArAcAy ARRIVED IN PARIS
M fcwweeks ago, but 1t appears not that he gain
II footing make friends in the French metropolis
Only two days ago paragraph appeared In IN
evening papef-the Idt'fe, | belleve-Gtiting that
he lived s0t-dtsdpt In exile, pension having been
granted to him by the Russian government. subject
"a 20 the condition never to alude verbally or In writ
ing TO hs former career and, above ALI to observe
L. the strictest mutism in regard 20 his connection
r. with the Embassy at Washington
SOMEWHAT SENSATIONAL.
About ten days ago mentioned mysterious In.
cdent referred to In the S0fr, and relating TO the
death OF Mr. Brown, the dragoman of the
American Legation at COnstantnople. The
story has not yet died out, and appears
highly seasoned with sensation, In other pa
MOVE Mr. Rrp IN bpiia shnqa parS