Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-16
AMERICAN PORK IN FRANCE.
Minister Reid Defends His Countfy's
Hog-A Word About French Wines.

The diplomatic correspondence between the
United States and France on the American hog
question has been furnished to the Senate. Our
minister, Mr. Reid, makes . very earnest pro-
test against the exclusion of American pork
from France, contending that the pork raised
in this country is pure and wholesome, there
not being as many death from trichinosis in
year as there are deaths from lightning, and
even the few deaths occur only when the pork
is eaten raw He urges. with facts and figures
to sustain his argument, that il is for the COM
mercial interest Of France to import American
pork. France, he says, has lost 26,OOO,000
francs, which would have been paid in duty
during the nine years of exclusion, French
steamers have been deprived of a valuable line
of freight and the country peddlers and grocers
have been deprived OF a staple and useful trade,
and, above all. the people, particularly the
poor laboring classes, have been deprived of a
cheap and highly priced article of food, which
they used largely, and for which there has been
furnished no adequate substitute.
WHAT COOP?
He continues: "These, then, are some Of
the things that the exclusion of American pork
has cost France. In return, what good has it
done France? Has it helped the national health?
There has been no more disease from eating
can product is freely used than in France, where
you deprive yourselves of it. Has it helped
the French farmer? He can sell the swine he
grows for no more now than he could before
the prohibition-not even for as much. Has 1t
helped the consumer? He can buy French
pork no cheaper now than before the prohibit
tion."
Mr.. Reid gives detailed figures in support Of
OF his statements, and, asking who has been
benefited by French DEGREES, answers: "Only
ha OILS Of hn nah Iad
to exact yet larger profits in the absence OF
American competition, and Of an adequate do
nestle supply at the season OF scarcity, viz:
the summer month";" He argues that TO re-
turn the old order Of things will not injure the
French farmer. stating that there is no real
competition between French and American
pork.
Then he adds: II have entered upon no
word of complaint against your duty on pork,
which in late years you have more than
doubled. We FIX our own duties from our own
view of the public need, and cannot take ex-
ception to your doing the same. But consid-
erlng the large advance which you have
already made you will ALLOW ME to suggest
it has been found that lower duties often pro-
duce greater revenues than high ones"
ADULTERATED WRENCH WINES.
MIR. Reid makes a subtle suggestion to
France that while not Word can be said
dRdilss VIC uuucdituiHess VI Auitrlcdu polk
there is a growing belief that French wines are
sadly adulterated. q feeling strengthened by q
debate in the French academy OF medicine,
when this adulteration was acknowledged. He
points out that there il . growing and sue
cessful vine industry in the United States, and
| he concludes: ''Surely it is not wise for
French statesmen, by persistence In what our
| people think columniation of our product, TO
| drive American statesmen to listen to French
exposures Of their own, and to consider
whether, if France still prefers prohibition to
duties, the United Ststes has not greater rea-
| son to do the same. But refuse to follow
| that thought Keenly a. We feel the indie
| fensible nature Of your decree We are most
anxious to avoid even suggestion Of possible
| retaliation"