Evening journal., 1890-08-16
THE GREAT YANKEE HOG.
Striving to Secure Justice for
Him in France.
AMERICAN PORK ONLY EXCLUDED
Minister Reid Points out the GIariag In
consistency of France--Pork Prohibited
as Unwholesome which Took the First
Prize at the Paris Exposition.

has sent TO the senate in compliance with
the senate resolution of July %, all cor
respondence not already submitted to con
gress touching the efforts made by this
| government TO secure She modification or
repeal by the French government Of it's
decree OF 1881 prohibiting tho importation
into France of American pork and kindred
American products. In his letter OF trans
INITIAL 20 the president, Acting Secretary
Wharton, of the state department, says:
This correspondence discloses the i'm
portant fact that the French government
now practically places its exclusion OF oar
pork products upon economic instead Of
sanitary grounds. As this policy is ap-
piled only TO the United States, the de
partment has not failed to protest against
the discrimination as unjust"
willy Minister spnlIer.
In letter from Mr. Reid 10 Secretary
Blaine, dated June %, 1889, Mr.. Reid says
that any steps toward recalling the atten-
tion OF the French government to the sub
| Ject would seem inopportune
He also says that the French government
rather favors the removal Of tbe prohibi-
tion. Other letters show that AZ. SpulleF.
the French minister OF foreign affairs, ad-
mitted 10 Minister Reid that She citisens
OF France did not believe the consumption
OF American pork would iniure their
health. nj. Spuller added, however, that
there would be difficulty in having the pro
| hihltion removed ON account Of the pFotec-
tionist feeling. NJ Spuller said he was
/ quite willing 10 reopen the question.
Despite that statement, however, he re-
fused to inspect the American pork az the
Paris exposition, saying that the superior
quality OF the meat already established by
rewards would not prove that the mass of
American hog products was equally good
Secretary Blaine Protests.
Included in the correspondence is a let
ter from Mr. Blaine to Mr.. Reid protesting
against the harsh and unreasonable ~
strictiOns imposed by France, Germany
and Great Britain against the importation
OF American live animals and hog prod
uctsn
Mr.. Blaine instructs Mr. Reid 10 express
the hope TO the French authorities that the
French government may now be prepared
TO extend equitable relief from the unjust
measures Mr. Blaine adds that the
United States ministers 70 England and
Germany have been similarly instructed.
The Mckinley Bin Interfered.
In an interview with Mr. Reid, M Ribot
the French minister for foreign affairs, said
that the agitation over the Mckinley bill
made any action on this point extremely
difficult Mr.. Reid protested that France
was the aggressor and should take the
first ster. !, a letter dated July 3, Minis
ter Raid pioOests against Frances action
20 M kihot and hints at a possible prohi-
bition Of French wines by the United States,
owing 20 the growth Of the wine industry
in this country, and refers TO the effect such
action would have on France. On July II,
1890, NJ Ribot replied that the difficulties
in the way of removing the prohibition had
been attenuated by measures which were
finally passed or voted on by the house OF
representatives. "and which do not fail q
raise Just complaints on the part of the
French government" NJ Ribot referred
10 the tariff bill and the customs admins
tFative bill
Minister Reid Asks Ribot's Pardon.
Mr. Reid, in letter to M. Ribot dated
July %, 1890, asks pardon for endeavorine
to show that this is a view Of the situa
tion which the facts do not warrant
| France he says, has taken no steps toward
removing the prohibition OF American
pork and besides, what evidence Of good
will has France given which the Unitet
States could be already expected TO recip
rocate? He adds: Besides, there woulC
appear to be no similarity or just relation
of any kind between the French exclusion
OF American pork and the two American
} bills, currently called the Mckinley bills
! which are not yet in effect, and the natur,
Of their operation must as yet be matter
of conjecture
The French decree has beon in full foref
for the past nine years and It's scope and
resl,lsts are perfectly known. There is every
reason iisna the history Of such ierlsIation u
to believe that II experience shows defects
OF injustice in the American bills they
will be modified. The French decree IN
spite OF remonstranoe and proof that Il
does nobody any good has been teuaeioulsly
maintained unchanged for nine years. THE
1 American bills touch all countries With
absolute impartiality. The French deere
prohibits United States products alone
while the similar products Of the rest of
the world are admitted. The French de-
cree declares that the American prodnct
excluded is unwhoIesome, though this
charge has been repudiated by the French
Academy of Medicine itself and though
this prohibited and unwholesOme product
has recently been crowned by the highest
prize Of your own universal exposition.
MIR. Reid In Conclusion.
After calling attention TO the offer from
Washington to modify the customs b.ll at
the request Of France in regard 10 appeals
from cases Of alleged undervaluation. and
stating that this friendly action and the
removal of the duty on works OF art had
passed unnoticed by France, Mr.. Reid con-
cludes as follows: "From our point of
view, then, the case stands thus: The
French government has persisted for nine
years IN an indefensible act, discriminating
especially against United States com
merce. Meanwhile it complains Of new
laws by the United States government far
less severe and in no way discriminat.
ing against French commerce. Its com
plants receive prompt and considerate az.
tention and the friendly disposition thus
shown eyokes no recognition. Il cannot
be believed that with full understanding
OF the case the French government delib-
erately chooses that attitude. cannot be-
heye that when you come to give the case
full attention you can be satisfied with it,
Now, as heretofore, make my appeal TO
French friendliness, French justice, and,
may l add, to an enlightened sense OF
French interests"
Vouuc yforura port.r IN