Evening star., 1895-03-11
NATIONS NOT GRATEFUL
Determinations by Countries Favored by
tho Wilson Law.
Awaiting the French Governments
Reply to Mr.. Eustfs' ReQuest-The
President and Retaliation.

1t is said in official circles that the Will
son law has put us at great disadvantage
in dealing with France and Germany in
reference to determinations against Ameri-
can products, and Mr.. Cleveland, while
resisting all advice which suggests his re-
taliation, Is said to be at the same time
somewhat indignant at the ingratitule Of
these countries. which are favored by
duties in the Wilson law. He feels hurt, 1t
is said. that kindness should be thus repaid
Ia injury. and that the weakness of our
position caused by reduction of tariff
revenues, which these countries get the
benefit of, should be taken advantage of
by them to opp. ess our trade.
VIII Not Recommend an Increase.
At the same time he is not disposed, 1t is
said, to recommend any general increase of
duties to Congress in order to raise more
revenue, nor by the power that is in his
own hands to increase duties On hose
countries which have treated this govern
ment SO shabbily. 1t has been suggested,
since shortness of revenue Is urged as
an argument against any retaliatory ac-
ton, that this trouble could he cured by
calling Congress together for legislation to
increase the revenue. The Fffty-fourth
Congress would respond very promptly to
a recommendation either for a horizontal
lilcTe;iSe OF QutleS SutnClent 70 insure a
safe amount of revenue or by increasing
rates on specific articles which would be
prolific of revenue.
frances Reply Awaited.
The reply of the French government to
Minister Eustis' latest presentation. which
was designed to be in the nature of an nlti-
matum, is awaited with great interest. If
the State Department really means what
Mr. Eustis was directed to declare to the
French government. some interesting de-
velopr1ents may be expected. 1t is doubted
that France will recede from the position
which 1t has assumed in this matter. If,
as Is believed, there is an agreement or
understanding between the governments
which are discriminating against our prod
uctS, France will probably not feel at lib
erty to accept our view of the case unless
that course has the approval of the other
parties to the tariff war. 1t is assumed by
the department that these governments
would not have inaugurated the fight with
out having well considered the conse-
quences and determined to carry it out to
the end. Germany and France, who are
the prime movers in the discrimination, un-
derstood from the first, undoubtedly, that
our new tariff law having seriously re-
duced the revenues of the government, we
would not be in a position to retaliate, ex-
cept with great Inconvenience and loss to
ourselves.
Not Likely to Withdraw.
Having this In mind, and fully consider
ing the situation, 1t is not regarded as like
ly that these governments will withdraw
from the contest simply at our demand not
supported by any threat or strong proba-
bility of resentment in kind. 1t is PROBABLE
therefore, that the reply of France to Mr..
Eustis' protest will be a reaffirmatioa OF
perfect sincerity in the health plea against
our products, and declaration that France
cannot disregard the reports of her own
nj
very embarrassing problem will be present.
ed to the State Department.