The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-04
Return Of Minister Reid with Important
Documents in His Possession.
The Reciprocity and Extradition Agreements
Now Ready for Ratification by The United ,
States Senate and French Chambers
Interesting Talk with the Diplomatic on
Tariff, American Pork and Politics.
Statistics Gathered by Consuls That Will Both
er Reformers Of the Cleveland Stripe
What the Mckinley Law Is Doing.
RETURN OF wHITELAw REID
With Two Important Treaties-His Views
n Tariff and Politicx

Return OF wHITELAw REID
with Two Important Treaties-His Views oN
the Tariff and Politics.
Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal
NEW YORK. April 3-Mr. Whitelaw Reid.
United States minister TO France. returned
from PARIS on the steamer La Champagne
this morning. Mr.. Reid was accompanied
by his, wife and two children. His arrival
has been looked forward to with much in
terest in view of the understanding that
he had resigned his position. and conse-
quently he was besieged by a host Of news-
paper reporters as soon as the vessel reached
her pier. Mr.. Reid talked freely concern
ing international affairs. He had with
him the reciprocity and extradition treaties
between the United States and France
The obtaining of the signature OF II. Ribot
Minister of Foreign Affairs for France.
and the attaching of bis own TO
the treaties was the last Official act
of Mr.. Reid. In speaking of the
treaties. Mr.. Reid said: "The signing Of
these treaties completed in all but q few
details the matter of negotiation between
the two countries. 1tonly remains for the
United States Senate and the French
Chamber of Deputies to ratify them. thus
bringing to q successful issue these ques-
tons that have been, in many respects. at
tended with much difficulty, owing largely
to the difference between tho methods OF
practice in France and the United States
The French civil law code and the English
common law system. which is the accepted
practice in this country, rendered 10 noeasy
tank fsia t SiDa make of terms erims aes sgnonSmo oSs.
In many instances there was nothing
in the French code by which well-detned
crimes could be properly indicated. b
has necessltated q great deal OF legal
~finesse, and the negotiations have required
much thought and labor; in fact. L thought
when / went TO Paris, i would enjoy O
needed rest, but l found that there was q
vast amount of labor In connection with
my duties. The reciprocity treaty will
doubtless be agreeable to both countries.
although the trade in the articles affected
BY 1t Is not as great as might he supposed.
The French do not get a great deal of sugar
and molasses from us. much of their supply
coming direct from Martinique n other
West India islands,"
HIGH DUTIES.
"Has the lifting of the embargo from
American pork created an increase In the
quantity exportedi" was asked Mr.. Reid.
lit has. doubtless" he replied. although
there las been some complaint about the
method of inspection Of American shippers.
The fact is. there was q great prejudice
against this article and the administration.
in raising the embargo, had to encounter
strong opposition. To placate this feeling
they made the inspection rules very strict
This feeling is diminishing and the rules
will doubtless be relaxed. The duties on
pork are high, being go per cent? but
whenever / broached the subject OF them
i was met with the very reasonable answer
that they were only carrying out the sys-
TEN of protection lnaugurated by my own
government"
what is the sentiment In regard to pro-
| tectlon7" was asked.
There is a very strong protection party
in France and the policy Will. L believe.
have q favorable result or the nations
commerce. The trouble is that the French
government has made the mistake of en-
| deavoling to reach at one leap what has
gradually been building in the United
| States for nearly q century. For instance,
they have advanced duties on some articles
as high as 400 per cent. without a moments
warning, and the result has been TO disturb
commercial relations. This Is especially
true as between France and SPAIN"
How do the ParIsians regard the recent
dynamite explosions which have taken
place In that ciryf"
They have occasioned considerable ex-
but have not succeeded in Great
tak oeSa 100 49,
newspapers. Ii Is generally understood
that their object is to brighten magistrates
from doing their duty In administering
Justice to Anarchists convicted of crime.
Paris!ans take the matter rather lightly.
aud even make q joke of IL by sending their
friends imitation bombs for the purpose OF
frightening them. 1t Is often remarked
that IL Nj. Constans were restored to power
his firm hand would do much towardg
Q~uelling the spirit of lawlessDess that now
exists. The French people. as a rule. are
contented with their country and their
government. They are to-day tho most
prosperous people In Europe"
THE REPUBLIC IN A FIRM FOOTING.
"What is your opinion of the stability Of
the present government"
From what ! can see it is constantly
gaining strength. 1t is certainly much
stronger than when l first visited France.
twelve years ago. The recent attitude Of
the Pope, advising Catholic subjects Of
France to support the constitutional
authorities. has had the effect of attaching
the clerical party to the cause of the
lie, although hitherto they have sympa-
thized with the monarohlsta Parties in
Franco are not as well defined as In this
country. but are divided into numerous
factions. Monarchists are a party opposed 70
the present form OF government and In
this country would be looked upon as were
Tories in the revolution, or would be consid-
cred as traitors"
what do you think the chances Of the
success of your party IN the next cam
paignf"
II have always observed that the surest
way to put the Republicans on their mot
tie is TO give them a scare. The reyolu-
ton in Congress at the last election has
thoroughly aroused them. aud i believe that
history will repeat itself. and, taking les
sons of adversely 20 heart. they will make
a vigorous and winning fight 1t will be a
stout contest, bat | think the Republicans
will carry the election this fall.D
Mr.. Reid said he had seen his name men,
toned as q presidential candidate, but he
thought In more a mark of kindness on the
part of newspapers than anything else. II
have come home more for the sake of re-
signing than TO seek Office" said Mr.. Reid.
"But. in case your name should be put
forward as a candidate. in what way would
you view It'll"
I'm the event of such o contingency. /
can hardly conceive of any American great
enough to refuse such an honor j think.
however. such q possibility 10 very re-
mote
What do you think OF President Harri-
sonfr
Il think he has given the country a
clean. wholesome administrator. one
which intelligent men of either party can
indorse. His settlement of various inter
national questions has been wise and
statesmanIIke, and has given general salts
faction. During his term OF office busine
interests of the country have not suffered.
While i don't think he has a~daptabiliss