The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-26
prOhibisiye Order Issued the
monfa Exists In This Country.
MR.. GRESHAM WILL PROTEST
But HAS NO HOPE THAT THE EN-
BARGO WILL Die RAISED.
Action Due to the Growth of Protcc-
ton Sentiment ina EurOpe-Pro-
posed Changes I'm the Tariff Law.

WASHINGTON, Feb % = Secretary
Gresham has received from the United
States charge at Paris a cablegram stat
ing that the Council has entered decree
prohibiting the Importation, until further
orders, of American cattle into France. Cat
tie shipped before the Path inst. will be per-
mittcd to enter under restrictions to be
imposed by the Minister of Agriculture.
Secretary Gresham has furnished a copy
OF the cablegram to the Department of
Agriculture and has given it publicity, in
view OF the great Importance of this action
to the great American cattle interests.
Mr.. Eustis, our ambassador to France,
will be instructed to enter a prompt and
vigorous protest against the decree As it is
ostensibiy based ON the existence of pleuro-
pneumonia and Texas fever in cattle
ing from the United States, the ambassador
will call for proof of the fact. That will
mean long and tedious expert examinations
by veterinarians and much correspondence,
which is not expected TO be of any more
avail than that into which Mr.. Runyon, our
ambassador TO Germany. was plunged by
the issue of similar decree by the Ger
man government, for it is fully realized
here that the allegation that American cat
tie are unhealthy is the merest pretense in
both cases, and that the real reason is fear
France the press cable dispatches have
shown that the Ministry has been urged
to the issue of the decree by delegation after
delegation representing the numerous and
well-organized agricultural societies of the
republic solely for their protection against
the American cattle grower. In order to
grant the demand and yet at the same time
to avoid the charge that France was vio-
lating the most favored nation clause in
its treaty with the United States, which
would properly lie If the latter were singled
out from other nations for an attack of
this kind, it was necessary that recourse
should be had to the device which had
awaited Germany SO well, of charging I'M
healthfulness upon American cattle. This
charge is always hard to rebut owing to the
ease with which expert testimony may be
had on either side Of the case: The Amer
lean trade In cattle with France had
grown to considerable proportions. the ship
mentS during the six months ended Dec. IL
last being 13,441 head. and during the month
Of January last. sol head.
Secretary Morton was careful about ex-
pressing his opinion touching the French
decree, but it could be seen tnat he re-
garded it as q mere political manifestation
force for any considerable length of time.
and that the next c..ange in the. French
Cabine. would probably be followed by the
revocation OF the decree. Notwithstanding
this me belief Is growing and deepening
here that these DEGREES are but forerunners
OF otners and more severe restrictions upon
American trade, the next blow perhaps
being likely to fall on wheat. 1t is UNDER
taliatory measures, but are manifestations
of the growth Of the protective sentiment
in continental Europe. and grew out of
the necessity the governments are under
OF conceding something to the great agri-
cultural classes.
Touching the allegation of the existence
OF disease among American cattle, Secre-
tary Morton says that there has not been
one cave of pleuro-pneunonia in the United
States during the past three years, and that
even If there had been cattle suffering from
Texas fever among the carefully inspected
herds shipped TO Europe, the disease, being
noncontagious, could do no harm there.