New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-16
MINISTER REID'S STRONG LETTER.

MINISTER RETD'S STRONG LEfIEh'
Rorcly indeed can diplomatic paper be
framed that is more convincing III argument
than tbc letter OF Mr.. Whitclaw Red TO
tho French Minister of Foreign Affairs, in re-
Gard Ia the exclusion OF American pork prod
nets printed on the first page OF to-day lRiB-
rxr. The document is at once strong APP
neal and a kindly warning. IL shows how the
French Government and people have lost and
constantly lose by this policy OF prohibition
and il points ont the fact that OBVIOUS as
elimination against the products of this couh-
tv in spite of historic friendship, is likely to
bccot rctaatOry measures. from which rance
would suffer far more severely
The correspondence shows that Minister K"ld
has made persistent earnest, and not Wholly
unayailing efforts on behalf OF American agl-
cultural Interests. He reminds the French
Minister of Foreign Affairs that he minated
last April willingness 10 propose repeai Oh
rho prohibition In the hope OF Such action
the lower house of Congress voted 10 remove
the duties on paintings and statuary sec
inc that il is not yet taken" the Senate Com
mittcc has put back the duty into the bill pend
ing. DcllClltiH, nu' loI'I"l'' '''' " '7
costs that feeling in this country Is caused not
merely by the injury to American industry but
because France persistently dlStflmha'eS
against her historic friend, and IN favor "I
Germany. Italy and England
Respecting the alleged unwholesomeness OF
American pork Nh Reid cites thc we'll
known fact that no disease is caused by eating
il here nor in ENGLAND Belgium, and other
countries where it is freely imported and the
official decision Of the Academy Of Medicine
tho award IF the French Exposition, ana the
finding OF expert, commissioned by the French
Government are mentioned Nor can II ne
urcod that the exclusion ha, benefited the
! French farmer. because French swine have
fallen in price from 1876 II francs per 100
bilos in 1ssOto114in 1890. With American
pork prohibited French swine are selling at 10
higher price than English swine with American
pork freely admitted.
Thus the way is cleared to consider the IN
forest Of the French consumers and the let
fer submit, most convincing facts showing
that the French lahorer pays A. much now
for French salt pork as he would have para
had he bought such meat al all IN 1850. though
| There j. no equivalent III tn market Tor th'
| cheapest kind Of American salt pork whole
! sailing at - 10 - francs per 100 kIIOS' ana
GRADES equivalent to the French could now h'
| sold. if imported from this country. NJ All
! average of 20 per cent less than the French
even after paying duties and freight charge
! # the present rates. With the same money.
Mr. Reid urges. 1.-THE poorer families could
formerly have meat twice AZ often ~ az pres
cnt." the mjIe because American dry-Saltr'
pork i, easily carried to remote districts and
rc,aicd in groceries.
No objection, are raised 30 the rate Of duty
imposed ~ France, though II Is shIc"d
~ suggested that larger revenue could h'
realized from lower duties, Is the American
CongrcS, is even now raising some duties IL
order 10 reduce the revenue. But while caci
country will adjust its duties according to IL
own views of public need, exclusion on the
prctcncc that product is unwhOcSOmc. II per
sisted in after Official proof that IT Is not
naturally suggests rctaliatJry acts. Never II
| the American Congress has pork been pro
nounccd injurious but aS Mr. Reid pertinent!
observes. less than month ago the Frcnci
senate was celebrating upon a bill t. proven
adnlteration of French wines by Suiphates o
| Il
by the French Academy Of Medicine.
Minister Reid rcfrainS from dwelling up0I
the injury sustained by American industries
But it is fact that in 1850, before Frenci
prohibition began. no less than $4,000, OO'
pounds of pork, bacon and hams were exported
from this country to France while last yea
the exports Of those products to France wer
not $1,000 pounds. In 1850 the value o
these exports TO France was S3,910,O0O, an'
last year only $1,000 Yet the imports from
France into this country were III value a llttl
larger last year than ten years ago, although
the exports from this country to France hay
declined from nincty-ninc millions in 1890 Il
forty five millions in value in 1889. In sucl
a state Of facts the suggestion that rctaliatOr.
measures are not impossible appears to he en-
titled 10 the serious attention of the Frencl
Government, although Mr.. Reid closes hi
able letter with the kindly hope that. through
The offices of diplomacy, that possibility ma.
he avoided.