New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-04
THE FRENCH TARIFF BILL:
COMMENTS OF THE FRENCH ORGAN OF THIS
CITY UPON ITS CHIEF FEATURES.

For the last few days the transatlantic cables have
transmitted many dispatches attempting to explain
briefly the nature Of the commercial policy pro-
posed to the Chambers by the French Government.
lie Courier des Etas Unis' in its articles yes
terday. throws decisive and somewhat official light
upon the subject 1t has in It's possession the text OF
the bill laid down by the Minister of Commerce. The
summary which the Franco American newspaper pre-
sents to its readers is of great interest to American
merchants and manufacturers Ii Will be noticed that
the French BILL though not decsively protectionst
as the Mckinley measure, can be charged also by the
croahers with surrenderng discretionary powers to the
French President The bill presented by Minister Jules
Roche not only leaves the Cabinet free apply any
tariff it peases between the two lines drawn by the
maximum and minimum tariff, but also to 60 beyond
the maximum whenever ii may think it proper and to
practically prohibit by way of reprsa the products of
foreign nation. NJ Carnot so.ns to be aced by that
Ministerial bill in nearly the position assigned 10
President Harrison by the Meat Inspection bill Here
Is the article from lie Courier des Etats Unis":
The Minister Of Commerce has deposited October 22)
on the table OF the Chamber Of Deputies the proposed
law on the general customs tariff The project pre-
ceded by an explanation OF the motives, which is very
short, and points out the economic movement which
has been noticed for the last ten years in most Of the
countries of the Old and New World Hence the
sty for France 10 take with the view Of modi
Tying her custom house regime, in order to protect
national interests. The explanation recalls the dis.
cussions which took place In the superior Councils Of
Commerce and of Agriculture, and indicates the
nomic systems which examined and that which
has prevailed The proposed law does nothing but
reproduce the resolutions adopted by the two superior
Councils.
As it has been already said there are two kinds Of
tariffs in the proposed bill the one, maximum, the
general rule governing the commercial relations OF
France; the other. minimum, reserved for countries
granting TO certain economic advantages In, first,
animal products: second vegetable psoduets third.
mineral products, and fourth, manufactured products.
This latter category includes all industrial products in
general. The tariff law contains 721 numbers hut
several of them, like those relative TO spun fabrics, In
clude many subdivisions. There are. In fact. mare
than 900 articles Agricultural products figure only
In the maximum tariff. Their exclusion from the mini
mum tariff that II is already under the regime
of the treaties Of commerce. they shall remain outside
of any arrangement with the powers. Some products
admitted in the minimum tariff with a reduction
on the maximum tariff Others inscribed with the
same figures both tariffs For the latter their being
listed in the minimum tariff while there is difference
in the rate Of duties, Indicates that in case OF an
arrangement with power France will not raise the
duty applicable to those products long the ar
rangemen Is in operation, while the duties Of the
maximum tariff can Be raised at any moment.
The Minister has asccrtained those raw materials
which are indispensable to the great national indus
tries and which, this ground must be free OF duty
In that category silks. woods In bulk raw hides
and raw cotton. The calculations made by the Ad
left for the discussion and the vote this tariff After
that the treaties Of commerce will have expired ana
the new economic system will be put In operatasn
Let us add that the Minister of Commerce has caused
TO be distributed to the Deputies the reports OF the
sessions Of tile Superior Councils of Commerce and OF
Agriculture. In which the bill OF the general tariff has
been prepared.