The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-26
POLITICAL MOVE.
Morton's Opinion Of the
French Embargo.
Others View IL More Seriously-Se-
we're Restrictions Will Follow.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 90. - Mr. Eustis,
American ambassador to France, will be
instructed to enter a prompt and vigorous
protest against the French decree just
made excluding American cattle from
France.
AS the decree is ostensbly based on the
existence OF peuro pneumonia and Texas
fever in cattle coming 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 which Mr..
Runyon, our ambassador to Germany,
was plunged by the issue of q similar de-
cree by the German government. for 1t is
fully realized here that the allegation that
American cattle are unhealthy Is the
merest pretense In both cases, and that
the real reason is fear of American COM
petition.
In the case of France the press cable
dispatches have shown that the ministry
by delegation after delegation represent
ing the numerous and well-organized agri-
cultural societies of the republic solely
for their protection against the American
cattle growers.
Followed German Tactics.
In order to grant the demand, and vet
at the Same time to avoid the charge that
France was violating the most favored
nation clause I'm its treaty with the United
States, which would properly lie IL 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 availed Germany OF charging
unhealtbfulness upon American cattle.
This charge is always hard to rebut, ow-
ing to the ease with,which expert testi-
mony may be had on either side of the
case.
The American trade in cattle with
France had grown to considerable proper
tions, the shipments during the si,
months ended Dec. 81 last being l344l
head, and during the month Of January
last S0l head.
Secretary Morton was careful about ex.
pressing his opinion touching the French
decree, but it could be seen that he re-
garded 1t as a mere political manifesto
ton, and felt that 1t would not be con-
tinued in foroe for any considerable length
OF time, and that the next change in the
French cabinet would probably be fol-
lowed by the revocation of the decree.
Notwithstanding this, the belief is grow
ing and deepening here that these DEGREES
are but forerunners of other and more Sc
we're restrictions upon American trade,
the next blow. perhaps, being likely to
fall upon wheat.
1t is understood here that these are not
adopted as retaliatory measures, but are
manifestations of the growth Of the pro-
tective sentiment in continental Europe,
and grow out of the necessity the govern
ments are under OF conceding something
to the great agricultural classes.
A statement prepared at the department
of agriculture shows that the total
amount Of microscopically inspected pork
shipped from the United States to Europe
during the months Of November and De-
cember, 1894, and January, 1895, was 49,.
400, 6i5 pounds, gain over the shipments
for the corresponding period Of 1898 and
1894 of 3200,oO pounds.
Busy Day.
The general deficiency bill, which is the
last Of the regular appropriation bills,
passed the house yesterday. Most of the
entire day was spent discussing the
amendment to pay Great Britain s425, 600,
the amount of damages agreed upon by
Secretary Gresham and Sir Julian Paunce-
fote to be due that country under the
award Of the Paris arbitration tribunal on
account of the seizure of some 20 Cana
dian sealers by the United States previous
to the modus vivendi of 1892.
The amendment was strongly attacked
by Messrs. Cannon, Henderson and Hit
on the ground that the amount was un-
reasonably large; that some Of the vessels
were owned by citizens of tho United
States, and that $4,000 was for construc-
tive or speculative damages (the esti-
mated casch). Only $4,000 they con.
tended was due Great Britain. Messrs.
Breckinridge McCrcary, Hooker and
Dingley supported the amendment, main.
tanning that the government no matter
how bad the bargain. must carry out the
award of the Paris tribunal in good faith.
Mr.. Dlngley declared that it was better 10
bay Great Britain 1895 900 than leave the
assessment Of damages TO an umpire ap-
pointed by a foreign power.
The amendment carried in committee,
but was defeated in tho house-1l2 TO 143.
Some excitement was caused by the at
tempt TO strike out in the house the ap-
propriation for an extra months salary
for the employees of the house and senate
and to clerks of members, but it failed,
and the amendment prevailed-143 to 10s.
Motions TO reconsider and recommit were
voted down as promptly rs offered until
the opposition dwindled to point when
1t could not get tho yeas and nays. 1t
then surrendered and the bin was passed.
For Night Sessions.
There is no longer any doubt that tho
senate will hold night sessions regularly
from this timo until final adjournment.
In giving notice of his intention TO move
an evening session, Senator Cockrell said
he would make the motion at $3.50 or o
o'clock for recess until s, and that he
would then ask the senate TO sit till 10 or
II o'clock for the consideration Of tho sun