The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-05-13
Consul Wilson ON Pork and Wine.

Nantes in France who takes n serious view
of his resp onsibili.y to tho American people.
His name is THOMAS WILSON. and no was
appointed from the District OF Columbia.
Ho has represented this Government at
Nantes for u little more than fourteen
months. His salary is $1,000 annually.
During the last fiscal year the receipts of
the Office in fees amounted to three dollars
and forty-six cents.
| Although not occupying nm important post,
II VIC measure consular Importance by salary
| and fcps, Consul THOMAS WILSON had not
been many weeks in Office before he began to
graphic with the largest questions OF diplo-
matte policy Upon investigating the rela-
tions between the United States and France
he discovered that just ono year before he
| entered Office the French Government, by
the decree of Feb. 1s. 1891, prohibited the
| importation OF American salt pork. Consul
| WILSON lost no time in communicating this
| discovery 70 the Department OF State; and,
| along with tho facts which his industry and
| acuincn enabled him to lay before the Cabinet
and the nation, he submitted q carefully
drawn paper, indicating with great clearncss
| and precision the line OF policy which, in
| his opinion, our Government ought to pursue
| The Consul Mt Nantes Ia very free in his
| criticism Of the French Government; SO
| free. indeed, that in view OF Mr.. EFFIGY SAR-
GENTS recent experience at Berlin We hesi-
| tato to expose another American diplomatist
to the wrath OF a foreign power. But it is
proper that tho world should know Mr.
THOMAS WILSON'S opinions, no matter what
the result may be-
Extracted from diplomatic language. the
charge made by the Consul ut Nantes is, in
substance. THAI tho French Ministry lied
when they alleged trichinosis Us prctcxt
for their decree prohibiting the importation
OF American pork. Tho true motive, in Mr.
| WILSON'S opinion was zeal for the protec-
ton OF the French pork producers. The
integrity Of the French Government" says
tho Consul, is in no wise questioned, but
the evidence will show, think that there
were influences brought to bear on it and its
representatives other than those interested
for tho public health; influences in favor OF
tho French hog" And this valuable and en-
ergctic Consul proceeds to lay down certain
preliminary propositions" among which
arc the following:
| "A hog will be a hog wherever he is raised"
1.-THE number Of hogs in the United States cannot be
much under 5oUpuoo"
American pork is IN the United Statcs cheap health
| full. and satisfactory food for III. people"
"A person nncvi'hed enough To eat pork raw is in or
may be in. danger from trchiua. One who eats 1t
cleaned is in danger from the brsles."
Il have but little patience with people who require
the prohibition OF all Of certain kind OF meHt in order
preserve themselves from maades arising from eat
ing 1t Jaw"
The civilized world will agree that there is squea-
islness and caprice IN the policy Of Government which
prevents its people from eating American pork, and yet
permits its capital city Of Paris to make record Of
meat consumed during the past two years follows
1890 oola horses yD7 asses ~ mules 1851 oa73 horses
$40 Rsses. 81 mules"
The policy suggested to our Government
by Consul THOMAS WILSON is ono Of retaia-
ton, or reprsal, by the exclusion from the
United States OF French wines and liquors.
III We're statesman. as am not" he re-
marks, with almost startling modcsty, =" !
should not seek for any such articles rs
would afford the excuse OF unhealthfulness to
Justify the prohibition, but would choose one
without any such cause. and prohibit its i'm
portation, calling it u rcprisal, and placing, 1t
squarcly upon the ground OF retaliation for the
unjust prohibition of an equally hcalthful ar
ticle OF food from the United States" But
for fear that the United States Government
may not be bold enough to follow his advice
in its entirety. but may desire preteXt FOR
the proposed exclusion OF French wines and
liquors, Mr.. WILSON is thoughtful enough To
provide one. His sly remarks on the evils OF
intcmpcrance and the adu!teration OF French
wines form not the least surprising part OF
his surprising essay.
Consul WILSON supplies statistics OF the
crimes of drunkenness in France, and OF the
suicides and eases of insanity from alcohol
ism. Then he says, with IL line burst Of dip
lomntic eloquchce:
Take the crimes perpe,rated. the punshnents In
hcte the deaths caused the suicides committed III,
insanity produced quite grave effects be at
. ubutei to any cause by the consumption and use q
wines and liquors i'll France ony-waive the amount o
uuhAppinrss and misery caused the degradation pro
duced the blasted hopes. the ruined families because
they cannot he calculstcd-tIke only those sceptb
Of being taken from the statistics OF crime and compar,
these with the entire number Of cases OF sickness
heath arising from trchInosis caused by the consump
ton and use OF American pork. and the difference be
comes apparent at u glance
] He does not commit himself, however, II
e regard tn wines and spirits Of domestic
i manufacture. "It would be aside from my
= purpose To make or allow to be made, any
1 comparison OF French liquors with those O
Y the United states, or to assert that ours ar
Z better than theirs. Our liquors in our owl
5 country are our own affair" Aud in ordel
: to Discount any opposition which this re
t port may meet" on tho part OF the Frencl
II Government, the bold and adroit diplomats
p nj Nantes makes this concession:
y Lam in favor Of tsnperancei l am opposed to II
Il temperance and think 1t dreadful evil crime usti
punishable by law in France eutailing misery /,
, victims unhappinesso their families and friends llin
the prisons anshouses aud lunatc asyuins begettn
large portion OF the necessity and the OF erin
ina procedure In the State and he aud SUI
pressed by any legitimate which promises
/, Holding this belief Yet am not biyot and wiln
to agree that the wines Of France in their purity
healthfu palatable and agreeable and that tho
Is ern portion OF France, where there 10 wiz
q raised either actually proportonaliy, than In M
country in the world, H. without any temper
ciey one OF the most temperate. having in proporo
to It's Inhabitants fewer cases of drunkenness Of Grim
Of accidental DEATH Of Suicide. tnAAatv