The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-21
FRANCE AND, AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF NJ LEON cHorrEAU ON A TOUR on
INVESTIGATIONS COMMERCIAL TREATY TO
BE FRAMED--THE ADVANTAGES TO BE DE-
| RIVED FROM IT.
M. Leon Chotteau. delegate from France in the
interest Of the Franco American commercial treaty.
arrived here yesterday on the Amerique.
Tho position he occupies is semi-oficial. having
been selected for this important mission by CONF
mittee OF Senators and Representatives of
the French Chamber of Deputies. NJ. Chot-
teau well merits the honor thus bestowed
on him by the young Republic, as he has already
spent some time in the United States having trav.
elled in this country on two previous occasions and
being thoroughly conversant with American affairs,
and especially commercial matters In his own
country he is well known as an economist and NH
lcist He followed the profession of the law at Paris
gaining quite an enviable reputation About ten
years ago. from the perusal of American literature
he became imbued with desire to visit this coun.
try and learn something about its people aud
their habits. After his sojourn here no returned to
his native country, and. by his personal influence
did much to foster the growing commerce between
the two nations Last year he again vioited America
on the same mission as that on which he now comes
to increase the between the two countries
by removing all the Legislative obstacles such pro.
NJ. Chotteau found yes, erday afternoon at the
Everett House, where he will reside during his stay
in this city. On making known the object of his
visit the reporter received very cordially. and
M. Chotteau at began to explain with enthu-
siasm the scope and purpose of his mission to this
country.
M. cHorrEAu's MISSION
''fou see, he said, II have been chosen by q
committee OF senators and Representatives to come
70 THIS country to gather the reports of the different
Chambers OF Commerce with view to establish
commercial treaty. When came here the last time
my intention was simply to invite delegates from the
American people to discuss the question at Paris.
These delegates. both from the United States and
from France at Paris agreed upon certain project.
To-day it is my mission to ask the Chambers of Com.
| nerce what they think Of that project"
THE PROPOSED TREATY
what was the plan proposedY'
"The principal point OF the project decided upon
goods should be- admitted to Foac 1na nors or an
| equality with those of the most favored nation
which at present is England. According to this plan
| all American products could be imported in
France the same basis the similar products of
| England. On the other hand reduction Of the
duties French articles required in return. In
| France have two kinds OF tariff-one. conven-
tional. for the nations with which have already
commercial treaties; the other. general tariff for
Now. there is no commercial treaty be-
tween America and France. consequently tho
| products of the United States come under
| the general tariff. According to 1t many things
absolutely prohibited in France, such American
cotton, most American woollen staples and cast iron
products and five or six others We offer you as
favorable terms any other nation, but we do not
know exactly what we can ask Of you in return
| (Which country would derive the greater benefit
| from such AN arrangements"
| WELL" replied NJ. Chotteau, smiling, 'on my
voyage from Havre. which left the 4th inst. in
| the Amerique, became acquainted with gentleman
from Philadelphia who argued that treaty OF COM
| MERGE always Injured to the profit of the richer
nation. We do accept that idea all. We intend
If possible to conclude treaty for the benefit OF
| both nations. My position is neutral. believe
it is possible to increase the prosperity of both
tons by such project as we have in view, provided
| the matter is in good hands. am it will be
possible to have good treaty, and in few months
think the question will be how to increase the pros
| perity of this country and of France"
HIS PLANS.
'How long do you expect to remain in the United
| StatesY" inquired the reporter.
| Il expect to spend some time here, probably until
the month OF yny or august. vii, remain row
coed to Washington to my respects to President
| Hayes Then I shall come back to New York. and
after studying whatever may be of interest here
will 20 to Boston, Baltimore. Philsdel-
| phia, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Chicago, ST. Louis
aud San Francisco 1 intend to study all the prin-
collect the reports OF the Chambers of Commerce Of
the United States and Of France, obtaining express
sons OF their views the project, and submit them
to the respective governments as basis for treaty.
| think this programme can be finished by June
Way Way. Inc movements p.'''a' ''''s aAu''
NJ Chotteau here expressed his belief that tho
great majority of the Chamber Of Commerce was in
favor of the plan. He had doubt that 1t would be
carried to completion. II the American people took
no interest in the matter, he said of course there
would be no treaty. But IL merchant, who to-day
| got twenty francs for article. found that under
| treaty he would get twenty 1.-Two or thirty, then.
NJ. Chotteau thought. people would take an interest
mi
| Some desultory conversation ensued, during which
| M. Chotteau dwelt upon the great success of the
| American exhibit at the Paris Exposition and the
| marked impression it had left on the minds Of tho
French people in regard to American progress. He
| said international exhibition in New York would
be of great interest to the French people and that it
| was enterprise that should be undertaken.