New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-12-05
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
AMERICAN PORK IN FRANCE.
10 IN Edttor OF The Trtbune

~ IHt
DIR According to cable dispatches it is
prooape that there win be q withdrawal Of the
french embargo on American pork as the Ministry
~ Understood to be favorable to such measure and
steps nave been taken to secure It, And IL NAV be
wen 10 examine the course OF this foolish movement on
the part oil France, which may prove lesson to them
an" ~ US u mas been little else than a scare started by
parties Interested in interfering with trade meats
ana nfst accented by the French nation at large in
thoughtiess and preclpltate manner. The matter
was Drought before the Academy II Medicine In
IeDrunry last, by communication from NJ.
laponIene' calling attention TO tho great
danger from diseased pork sent to France
IRON tne United States. The paper threw terror irto
tno medlcal camp. The most radical measures were
recommended But the body adjourned without any
uecison' Al its next meeting a week later, the
Academy regaincd its GOODNESS and several OF s most
distinguished members declared that there was
louhdaon for the alarm, and that II had demon
sra'eu tnat proper curing and ordinary boiling would
""S d parasites in infected meat, when such should
appear Several Of the members ridculed the idea of
creating corps Of inspectors for the examination Of
preserved meats with the view Of finding trchina and
declared all the trouble that has been taken by the Gov
eminent 70 be utterly useless. Since that time
numerous valuable experiments have been made all
eInted u, Ine Ioy OF the scare and the measures
mary surgeon and chemist has subjected great variety
OF hHa uesh 10 examination for trichinR, and has also
gwen diseased meat 10 animals with view to infect
I'm ne very men employed IN his laboratory have
eaten OF the meat without evil effects disease has APP
IeareI ater period OF more than six months On the
bTtIEin oI these testimonies the Union Medcdie the
orRa oi me Academy has yalantly handled the cudge
against the Government for adopting with such
haste measure Of 40 much Importance and
capable OF doing so much harm It demands
nc origin OF this hasty interdict, and the value
OF all the oratorca bomhast that has been expended on
H. ana PLANES the Minister OF Commerce for consult
ing the proper authorities before pronOuncng unfor
innate sentence on American pork, whicn might easily
Induce retaliation against French wines and other pro
ducts that wound cost France the loss Of a trad. of a
wv OF francs annually me Union also blames
he for having IN ase pride continued the decree
Kno"ng TO be an error, and having spent large
establishing schools aud pOsts OF microscopy that abst
utey useless and nolcraDiy annoying because Ia i'm
p"Ssbe 70 examine every package pork that the
country In the form Of canned OF the experts
declares that for years France has been r,cry
INK millions OF pounds Of American meat without finding
In IL single genuine case of trIchna ana he therefore
oee no need OF keeping up these Inspections aud deprv
uS TIE working population " cheap and nutritious
Protests have been Therefore pouring I'm on the author
lles rpm producers, consumers aud dealers,
TINS "oirss war. In Huyrc there has been yerItabc
inquired meats, ana "'o are euhernE Tor food while
great Masses 0f 10 are lying there under
lhiu ever. y member oi the Chamber OF Commerce
re- nt} assured GJmheta, his lac Visit that city,
tai 10000 IONS Il American meat comesltuerc annually
hing H. To usr N. Libcrt's words to Gamnctta:
" me "oralng population Of France nndr IN the Aueri
''h Ti'l 'N'd iAra cheap ana WuorsJiut lood, ana
Tor twenty years not rlugc Of sickness death
cap De- traced 10 ulghmUsis Ana nevertheless. by
single dash OF the pen, without taking tHe trOublr
consult aujuor,s obtain proof the Minister Com
H"r'r tl-nr decree "Llc -rIneS moot serious blow
10 suppl, OF food auI .,Ir commercial situation"
This, thrn De- The key 10 t.e retreat from tus situation,
which a. now announced as iumiutui. The mischief
done cannot nov ~ rrplreG but let Il at least teacn
interests ~ great Importance. The French people
Viii .c quite nAciy 90 cherish vivid remembrance Of
hr can undo IN q lifetime. WILLIAM WELLS.
tHio" cOgey, Schenectady ", T., Nov 23 1851.