New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-03
AMERICAN TRADE WITH FRAECE.


VIEWS OF CONSUL RHoDEs-cANNED GOODS AND
AMERICAN wHEAT-TBE IMPORTATION OF CATTLE.
Albert Rhodes, United States Consul-General tor
the Northern District OF France, including Lille,
Roubsix, Dunkirk and Valenciennes was met at
the New-York Hotel recently by q TRIBUNE reporter
He had just arrived In this city from the head
quarters of his district at ROuen. The Chamber OF
Commerce of that city, his departure, gave him
vote of thanks tor his zeal and energy in stmulat-
ing the commercial relations between this country
and France.
Al haven't the slightest idea why the French
Government should have laid an embargo on Aueri-
can pork, replied Mr.. Rhodes when questioned on
this subject there was no talk OF such measure
in France previous to my departure. and since my
ARR Sal here have bad no time to study the ques-
ton in the newspapers. However, can speak with
YOU of another matter which 10 some extent might
involve the commercial relations OF TINS country
and France. A short time before l left Rourn tor
home, a decree was passed lOrbiddlng the sale 0l
preserved catables in cans the interiors OF when
were sOldered. Solder It claimed. Injured II III
did not actually poison the food, and the decree,
while making il n nlSdeIAcanOr Tor any one III the
country to solder the Insdps Of cans aisO provided
for the seizure ut the custom house OF all goods I'M
ported in this condition from abroad As all know,
American expectation OF canned goods IL enor-
nous and unless shippers have been careful WIN
their solder, tue new decree may Tor tlue sllgnly
affect the commercial relations between the TWO
countries"
/" Has the importation of American goods to
France increased much within the last year Or
twOp ,
{" 1t has increased. might almost say beyond all
calculation. SO far as wheat and com are con
cerned. Americans have driven all Russian conf
petition out OF the field. You will hardly believe
me when say that. according to the reports OF my
agents, the importation OF American wheat last
year NY district alone amounted to between
twenty-five and Thirty millions of dollars an
enormous increase over the preceding years. III
deed. On my starting IRON R0ucn fortnight ago. Il
prominent French wheat merchant assured me illat
if the price of American wheat were to fall ~ pr
,lr. CIteaf cor ctr
from The market Ana may add that since my
departure this TAIL has ar, aIy begun.
This fear of American competition IN wheat has
been vcritablc sword Of DanocIes over the heads
oil French agrculturlSis III the North. SLOWLY hut
surely the day is approaching when they VIII De
Obliged either to turn their wheat-elds INTO beet
beds or to starNc. They have not been insrnSihle
to the danger, bat have done AL III their power TO
avert it. They have gone 40 far as to petition the
Chamber for the passage oi protective laws III
this matter. However, l DO not think this can
help them much for were the Government To lay
IN embargo American wheat, all France would
be up in arms III OF. ostIon 10 what would 10
Justly considered 4 taxation of bread All blazers
France prefer American wheat To their own
The former being hard and unlike when prop
erly ground down and manlpulItcd-aS only the
French ran do--makeS the most delicious bread
imaginable. and is far superior to the soft, i'abby
French wheat
"What other American goods find preference in
France T.
"Well. httle besides wheat and canned goods
unless ~ Oc p'tlOleHin ana cotton. IN ny Op nlOn
the North Of France Is destined to become at some
not distant day, II Nast pasturagc for imported
American cattle. No cOuHtry IN the world. not
even England possesses tbs rich pasture lands 10
hc found IN Normandy aud parts oi Plcardr. For
centuries these lands have remained rs they are.
unused and uncutifated. Our breeds once taken
there ami allowed TO gralk for u month or six
weeks, would make excellent beef any pro
duccd on English soil. Fortunately the cruel
BRUSH law which forces importers to slaughter
foreign cattle within twcnty-lour hnnrs after land
ing noes not exist in France. | have often called
the attentiO ION of Frcnchuon Ia this important SUBJ
iect Of cattle importation. and think the cxpcrl-
ment vi soon be made. OF course 10 not include
pigs ia cattle, because pork Is little consumed IN
France
" ifave French expectations 10 this country IN
creased III proportion to our expectations =.
"No; they have greatly decreased. on the con-
trary. The French III the North used To -rnd us
articles of furniture cashIurrcs from RoUh1X cloth
and woolicn goods from Elbaui. cainurIC,, etc.
But in the last few years Americans have hr"n
manufacturing thrsc articles ~ home. ana have
even exported them. America having al ways been
the greatest mart for thc products OF Northern
French ministries. the later arr con-e lurnty on
the decline at present, and much p"v"fty and
misery prevail in my district Nauy factories arr
only employing half then usual force, and SON"
have closed altogether. II has always been a
matter OF surprise to me that these capri French
spInncrs and wravers have not rmigtHt"d To this
country since our Cottuh and woollen industries
have made suci Strides Ihrs" people would bc
only too welcome in many manufacturing centres
OF The [ Mon. Tho trouble with them seems To be
that they lack this necessary organization Tor ciHl-
grazing III = body. and hrSi,.rs the frcnchuIn IS
always cn,Itlou, aud uul' - Ire lee Hs~uI-i at -
home 10 running the sha low OF RS, ut >,.ry-
n ,thr