The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-15
THE NEW POSTAL TREATY.
What Brought About tho Franco-Amsri-
can Postal Arrangsment-Francs
Taught Sharp Lesson.


PARIS, May I. 1874
The government OF the French Republic do nov
shine in finance. and N. Theirs Cabinet got the
postal arrangements OF thus country into such .
queer pickle that the correspondence between
France ana the United States Is carried ON almoss
entirely through England. N. Theirs wanred
money and saw NO shorter way OF getting It than
charging extravagant prices-any prices, indeed,
for the transport OF letters He was like the boy
who killed the goose OF the golden eggs ana
Americans resolutey declined to pay these fancy
hostages. They sent their letters Ia bales to
London, and the French treasury got very little Of
their money because 1t asked for too much. The
thing rhey did was legal and could not be stopped:
neither thought the Ministers chiefly concerned
could 1t be allowed to 60 on. Mr.. Washburne then
kindly suggested to them way out or their dim
Guilty, and the Minister for Foreign Anairs. the
Minister Of Finance and the Director General
OF the Post Omce listened eagerly to him.
But after time they had an opportunity Of ap-
precattng the blessings OF parliamentary govern
ment for no sooner had they settled tho draft Off
postal treaty with Mr.. Washburne than they be-
came afraid OF their own work, and 1t soon ap-
peared that they did not dare present it to tho
National Assembly at Versailles, where the ma
jority they commanded was weak and uncertain.
The government OF the United states, too gener-
Gus to enforce an advantage upon France In her
sorrowful condition alter the war, had made
many concessions; but they were OF no use; the
Minister OF France, or some not overwise clerk
who managed him. insisted upon impossible con-
ditions and demure Count de Remasut threw up
his hands. Mr.. wsshburne, therefore, alter
some good humored circumstances, left them
to their own devices, and no more was heard
OF the postal treaty for one while. The
delay did not afect American interests, because
merchants and other parties concerned had long
ago discovered that as the French Post once was
unreasonable IN It's demands, they could do without
IT. SO the question rested till the Duke Descazea
became Minister for Foreign Atatrs ana as this
Duke is sensible, straightforward man. he ro-
opened the negotiation for Q postal treaty with
the American Legation. The United States gov
eminent, however, was no longer In humor to
make concessions, and buntly insisted that u
there was to be another negotiation at all It
should be carried on at Washington, ana that they
should have their own terms. The French Minis
tiers made but faint resistance. They urged with
pathos almost absurd that It was the custom Of
their country to charge nonsensica price for let-
ters weighing ten grammes, or about one.tnird OK
an ounce The men OF Washington answered that
it was the custom OF their country to DO no such
thing. They explained thathalr an ounce 10 fair
weight for single letter, and that i've pence Is .
and the United States. Then the French Ministers
remarked that uader this surprising arrangement
they would only receive about nineteen centiznes
instead Of twenty as their charge for inland car
riage, and that terrible loss would grieve them
to the soul. The government OF the United
States remained deaf to this appeal and then the
Duke Descazes gave way Internationally.
Franco American postal treaty has been conse-
quently signed at Washington, and Will come into
operation as soon as 1t Is ratified The terms OF it
are well known Single letters may be posted In
the United States and win be distributed in France
for fifty centimes each, provided they do not weigh
more than half an ounce. Single letters posted in
France must not weigh more than ten grammes
each. and they will be distributed at the
same tariff. Several years have been wasted
by the French government before this desirable
change was brought about; the delay, should
there be any. will now rest with the United States.
The American Legation In Paris has done its duty,
and displayed much diplomatic ability as long as
the negotiations were conducted here; but tho
honor Of having definitely concluded the new
treaty belongs to the authorities at Washington.
Whether the government OF France warned By
the sound business lesson 1t has just received from
America, will or will not revise Its postal system
altogether is another question which might b
asked pertinenty enough in other countries. Most
governments are slow to learn, and although more
than halt Of the correspondence between France
and the East Is now carried by England and Bel
GUM to the great loss OF the French treasury,
there il sign OF speedy change In this state or
affairs. Indeed, the postal arrangements gen.
orally, both in France and England, are defective.
American letters mailed through London are need.
lessly detained twelve hours, for some reason
only known to the permanent clerks OF depart
ments. The class OF Europeans who correspond
with the United States w0t1d not object to even
higher rates Of postage than those now charged II
they could secure speedy Interchange of commu-
nications; but at present they are paying great
deal for delay and inconvenience. that they are
forced to the wires when they ought to be able to
do without them; aud the Post ONCE loses stin
more than they do Such an administrative mud
die as the needless detention or o correspondence
between Europe and the United States for twelve
hours ought no longer to be tolerated. Moreover,
while giving all fair praise to the American gov
eminent for It's spirited conduct in settling the
new treaty with France, regret to add that am
given to understand provision has been made
In IT for the transmission OF patterns, which is q
blunder quite unaccountable French goods, such
as silks, laces, ribbons and many OF the fancy
goods, called "Articles de Paris" could be surely
sent through the post at cost satisfactory to all
parties. 1t Is really to be hoped, also that news
paper copy, printers proofs and business papers
will soon be relieved all over the world from the
heavy burden OF these taxes which stan weigh
upon knowledge, and which are now unjustly
levied in postage stamps.
AMNESTY FOR ALL
From the vlcksburg Herald.l
THE NEW TORK HcRAID A broad. catholic