The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-02
THE PORK POWER IN FRANCE.
A Paris Editors View of the Effect of Recent
French Legislation.

Farls Gazette.
Pork has become power especially after it is
sailed For two years the law operating in
France against the import of salt pork from the
United States has been regarded there as a great
grievance 1t is maintained that the terror felt
about the introduction Of trichniasis through the
merchandise liz question has been Intensely eX
aggerated; and there is more than suspicion in
America that the crusade against its salted pork
arises from the intrigues in France and Germany
of people who are interested that is to say pork
butchers and sausage manufacturers, in Kidding
themselves of the fierce competition which
comes from the article SO abundanty pro-
duced in the States. Scarcely two months
ago the satisfaction great on the other
side of the Atlantic when it was learned that
the French government, guided by the opinion
of an expert whom it had commissioned to study
the dread disease of trichiniasis in France and
Germany, rescinded the decree which had pro
hibited the import in France of sailed pork from
the United States. But the citation was speedily
turned into that bitterness which comes from
the proverbal cup of which the contents are
dashed from the lips at the moment when they
are about to be enjoyed. NJ Paul Bert inter
fered successfully with that resolution which
suspended the ministerial decision and provided
that the import of salt pork should be deferred
until the general measure dealing with the sub
iect should be discussed by the Legislature.
This was a terrible blow to all the hopes
raised for revival of that enormous trade
which had a command of the markets of the
world. When pigs could be reared and fattened
on the abundant mast in the wids of the Amer
lean forests, and when they were not unfrequent-
ly peachfed from the overgrowth of orchards, no
competition was possible. To these advantages
had to be added the organized system by which.
in cities like Cincinnati the slaughtero Of hogs and
the process of packing were carried out on so i'm
mense a scale that the cost was reduced to
minimum. The effect of the latest legislation Ill
France has been keenly felt in the States, and
with that dash and aim which goes straight to
the mark without takingheed of any susceptible
tiles measure of reprisal is now advocated. A
bill for giving it effect has already been intro
provide that whenever a foreign government
shall prohibit or restrict the introduction of
cured products made from the flesh of American
cattle or swine the President shall
prohibit the importation into the
United States of the wines, liquors and merchan-
disc of the offending country, the prohibition
continuing until the obnoxious restrictions are
removed. In this shape the question is taken
out of the range of free trade or protectonist
considerations. 1t is Il retaliatory measure of
the severest kind beyond question, but its ex-
euse and that not bad one, lies in the vacillat-
ing policy of the French Legislature which pre-
fers to take counsel of NJ. Paul Bert in the mat
ter, whose conclusions are fatty contradicted by
the evidence of Dr. Deraines who was specially
commissioned by the French government fully
TO study the question. That the bill has a chance
of passing is quite within the range of POSSIBLE
ity The wine growers of California, for in
stance, would be elated at the measure while
those addicted to that champagne which is more
especially branded for its Misunderstanding quail
ties need not be pitied if they have to fall back
on the much more wholesome sparkling Catawba.