The New York herald., 1878-12-02
OUR TRADE With FRANCE
Important Report to the Baltimore
Board Of Trade.
PROPOSED NEW TREATY
Mr. Hodges Shows How Our Manufacturers
Lose Millions Of Dollars.
BALTIMORE, Nov. 30, 1878.

BALTIMORE, Nov. 30, 1875
After the Mexican Minister Mr.. Zamacona, had
made his admirable address to-day at the Board of
Trade meeting, Mr.. James Hodges made very ex
haustve statement which may prove of general in
terest Mr. Hodges is n member of the firm OF
Hodges Brothers. the leading importers OF The South
late United States Commissioner from Maryland to
the Paris Exposition. and delegate from the Balt-
more Board of Trade to the Franco American Com
mcrcial Treaty Conference, held ut Paris in August
last His views regarding the reciprocity treaty be-
tween France and the United States novel, say
the least.
MR. HODGES ADDRESS
extremely regret that my distinguished colleague
the Hon. Robert NJ. McLane, is not present this
occasion to assist me in rendering account Of our
stewardship to this Board its delegates to the
Franco American Commercial Treaty Conference,
which commenced in Paris in August last. 1
relied upon his clear cooperative support
to satisfy you of the good policy. Of
action in favoring the treaty; but /
learned few days ago. much TO my regret, that he
had again sailed for Paris. BY the way Mr.. Presi
dent might be gratifying all these righteous
men. for the Board to know that Paris is re-
garded the latest conception Of Paradise especially
set apart for Americans. and it is said that all
good Americans so there when they die. If this de-
thing for the elect to go there often before they
die if only to learn the ropes and pick out the soft
places But will proceed with the task before me.
In July last, being in Paris, received credentials
from the Board creating delegate to the Confer
ence to which have referred. and which assembled
in that city the 7th of August last In my letter
Of acceptance Of that unexpected appointment
said :-"Whether it will advance the interests of our
people to change the general tariff laws far to
make a treaty of commerce with a foreign Power
is a question of much national gravity and so di-
versifed in its effects upon the general welfare and
involves much investigation. that must reserve
my opinion upon the wisdom and expclency of the
act until obtain better grasp upon the subject
than l now possess. I only say that going
into the conference wholly uninstructed by your
Board. I shall feel the greater responsibility
for my words and votes. Hence you perceive
accepted the appointment and undertook to dis
charge the responsible duties you imposed on me
without conditions of my own or instruct 'ons from
you My first act to learn far possible with
the limited means at my command the extent and
particulars OF the trading intercourse of the two
countries with each other. To accomplish this
diligently applied myself to the study and investga-
ton or the Case ana Win such results as shali now
proceed to give previous to any discussion of the
question of treaty.
First-I discovered that the total exchanges of the
two countries for the fiscal year ending 30h of June.
1877, 500 $50 33, and that the exports OF the
United States to France during that year were
$46 23 793. and that OILY S2OO00VO of this amount
were of manufactured goods.
,Second-That during the same period the total ex-
changes between Great Britain and France were
about $500 0CO and that of this Great Britain
exported France about 5000 000, 900. chiefly OF
manufactured goods against S2.O0O,00O Of similar
articles exported by the United States to France.
Third-IhGt under the influences OF the treaty of
commerce between France and Great Britain. based
moderate tariffs. the aggregate increase in the
ports and imports between the two countries for the
year 1876 that of 1882 the year previous to the
negotiation of the treaty about S163 1000.
Tho decrease in the exports and imports between
France and the United States trading with each other
under high protective tariffs, was from ono cor
responding year to the other about 81. 400 900.
Fonrfh-That France has two tariffs which differ
widely in their rates. One is known the ta,,f
general and tho other the tariff co,renhonnc The
latter had its origin in the Treaty.
which concluded between France and Great Brit
ain in 1860. The nations which have since con-
cludcd commercial treaties with France the basis
Of the fdrf conretio,et Belgium. Italy, Switzer-
land Sweden and Norway, the Netherlands Portugal.
Austria, Turkey and Germany. The commodities
and manufactures Of all other nations imported into
subject to the duties provided for in the
t1rf generd. The difference in rates between these
tariffs may BE- sufficiently seen by few examples.
The duties in the list have prepared the rates
per kilo. t220 lbs.). with such EXCEPTIONS as are
noted:-