The New York herald., 1879-09-24
THE FRANCO-AMER[CAN TREATY.

WOOD AT THE CONTINENTAL HOTEL, PARIS
MR.. WOOD FAvoRs EQUABLE TREATIES AND
PROPOSES AN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION.
lBY CABLE TO THE HERALD.1
PARIS, Sept. %, 1879.
A grand banquet was given tonight to Hon.
Fernando Wood at the Continental Hotel by
the committee for promoting commercial
treaty between France and America. Comte
Foucher de Caren presided. The Presi-
dent proposed Mr.. Woods health, and
recounted his services in advancing the
progress of his country, and particularly the
efforts which he had made in behalf of free
trade in his declaration, as chairman Of COM
mittee of ways and means, to support interna-
tional treaties Of commerce.
MIR. WOODS REPLY.
Mr.. Wood, replying to the toast, said that
his visit to Europe had been purely in
formal, and that he was as much surprised
as he was gratifed by this apparently
public demonstration. long and ar
duous attention to his duties at Washington
had seriously impaired his health, and he had
taken advantage of the recess to recuperate
He was also visiting his daughter, who was ut
school in Paris, and whom he had not seen for
five years. These were the sole objects of his
trip to France, and he was sorry if
anything should make it seem other
wise. As for the extension of trade
between France and the United States,
he was, Of course, favorable, so long as it was
upon just basis and was equable to either
country. Personally he had always advocated
in Congress commercial treaties between tho
United States and other countries, and
had aided in making several such
treaties; and, consequently, he favored
one with France. He thought that the
present advanced state Of civilization
demanded reform among the nations of the
world in their tariff policies. The wonderful
strides made in arts and sciences, in education,
religion and political liberties, had not been
closely followed by the governments in laws
regulating commercial and trading inter-
course. He desired, if it were possible
that an. International convention should
be summoned to accomplish the necessary
advance in this direction. Mr. Wood compli-
mentcd France on the progressive spirit Of her
new regime and concluded by proposing the
health of President Grevy, which was drunk
with enthusiasm.
OTHER SPEECHES.
nj. Leon Chotteau, in an excellent speech, pro-
posed the health Of President Hayes, who, he
said, had shown him great kindness M. Chot-
he had everywhere met with in America except
from his own countrymen. The next toast was
'sThe American Press" to which Mr.. Ryan re-
sponded in speech showing the difficulties
under which French journalists suffered in con-
sequence Of vicious legislation. Mr.. Ryan also
proposed toast to the French press, to
which M. Simonin replied. NJ. De Blowitz, cor
respondent of the London Times responded to
the toast of ''The English Press The company
which included such notabilitics as Baron Err
langer, NJ. Lalande, president of the Bordeaux
Chamber of Commerce; Consul General Boullay,
from Sa6ne-ctLoirc NJ Frederick Passy,
Minister Noyes, Consul General Fanchid, NM.
Sclgman and Cernuschi and others. A great
meeting to promote the treaty is announced to
be held on October the 9th, in the circus of tho
Champs Elysees.