New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-19
THE FREE LIST IN FRANCE.
REMAINING CLAUSES FOR ITS TEMPORARY
TENSION APPROVED.

REMAINING CLAUSES FOR ITS TEMPORARY Ex'
TENSION APPROVED.
Paris July l8-The Chamber of Deputies to-day
approved the remaining clauses OF the tariff relating
to the temporary free admission OF certain imports
The entire new tariff measure was then passed by
Two clauses of this new Tariff BILL finally adopted
by the French Chamber Of important and drect
interest to Americans In the first place, the ex-
cessve five francs duty the importation OF grain
has been decreased TO three francs. OF course thas
decrease has been obtained from the protectonst major
ity only a temporary measure, neceSs'tated Dy the
failure OF the French crops. But 1t has been In opera
ton since July TO- and II will be year two before
France is able to reimpose the former duty. and thus
prevent the importation of American corn, which she
needs now 10 the extent Of about 90O00.OOO bushels
yearly.
In the second place, the adoption of the new tariff
has settled not temporarily but definitely, the question
Of American pork 1t Is quite unlikely that the senate
will refuse TO concur in principle with the decision ar
rived at by the Chamber 1t may differ perhaps in
regard 10 the amount of the import duty but it Is not
probable that 1t will forbid importation absolutely.
American pork and sated meats have been prohoteu IN
France the ground of their alleged unhealthhiness
The efforts of the United States Ministers at Paris wee
directed to obtaining the withdrawal Of that absolute
prohibition, which both insulting and injurious
to American prestige and interests. That was tho
first and great point be gained, and II has finally
been secured. The question OF the higher lesser
tariff duties secondary, and one which could be
attended to later on. The Chamber has imposed q
duty of twenty francs for each 200 pounds Amen-
can pork This Is high figure, though not practically
prohbitory But the very fact that 1t fixed that duty
shows that the Chamber Is reconciled to having Ame
can sated meats reiutroduced into France and is op
posed to the maintenance Of former prohbitive dc,
crees.
II NAV be added that a little confusion
seems to prevail In the minds Of members
of the Produce Exchange. They fancy that Amen-
can salted meats can not be readmtted before tho
Chamber and the Senate have approved the decree.
This is not so for the question is administrative
one and it depends entirely on the will Of the Gov
ernment. OF the latter will Issue or repeal
such decrees according TO the wishes Of the legislative
body as expressed. When the first prohibition WAS pro-
claimed against American pork it was done by decree
of Minister Trard, February Is. 1851. There was
no protest In the Chambers. But the United States
Minister at Paris having enlightened French public
opinion, the prohibition was repealed november %,
1893 by NJ. IIcrissOn. Minister OF Commerce. I'm
fortunately the Of trlchin0ss was revived with
great vigOr and the French Chamber, by majority
vote OF iI9 disapproved the action taken by the Gov
ernment. The same Minister VI. HerlssOn and his
colleagues in the Cabinet bowed to the indirect order
Of the Chamber and the prohibition was rehewed by
the decree of December -. 1883 OF the decree which
has been Just issued favorable to the readmisson OF
American pork I'm France, II is safe to say that IL Is I'M
Medlatey operative without the approval Of the Cham
ber the senate,