The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-04-17

french Cable May Cause Trouble
Paris, April 16.-The Dinelev tariff hill
has aroused considerable antagonism il
French mercantile circles, where it j!
pointed out that the measure may lead
TO policy disastrous in its effects or
certain French industries.
Some representa- tons of this nature
have already been made TO members OF
the French government. The Associated
Press sent to NJ Hantotaux, the French
foreign minister, a number of questions
bearing on the tariff situat ton, and the
relation Of the two republics. The
French foreign Office returned the follow
ing written reply:
The federal government at Washing
ton viii succeed, without any doubt, in
drawing closer the bonds which unite
France and the United States, by ab-
staining from an overtaxing of imported
French goods, such as sparkling and still
wines, prandies. silks, woolens, gloves,
work OF art, etc. To shut out of the
United States, by the quasi-prohibitive
tariffs. the product OF French industry
and art viii eventually have contrary
effect
1T is 10 be hoped that this will not
eventually be done. AT the present time
there are no differences between the two
great republics
They are bound together by too many
memories and traditions for a verbal
spirit of hostility to grow between them.
The solution Of small current questions
which gives rise 10 negotiations between
The two countries is, however, some
times rendered difficult by the argumen-
tative spirit OF the American state de-
partment
Although France has no grounds for
complaining Of the diplomatic and con-
sular representations of the United
States, there IS nevertheless reason for
stating that she has been surprised at the
attitude Of certain American consuls.
One OF them, admitted to exercise his
functions in one Of the great ports of
France, seems quite recently 10 have I'M
dertaken the task of disparaging the pro-
duct of French vineyards Incorren.
statements, denied after inquiry by COM
petent authorities, have bene reproduced
in official reports by the agent inquestion
and made public in administrative docu-
ments
Another agent who had also exercised
the functions Of counsel in one of the
greatest towns of France spoke of
French wines in the course of a speech
delivered in the United States-in the
most unfavorable terms, the worst terms.
pA-l
wines as watered, adulterated, mixed
with plaster Of paris, and composed of
all sorts Of noxious ingredients.
Gases such as these denote the de-
plorable tendency and want of prudence
Of certain American agents"
In reply TO the question whether
France would retaliate in case the tariff
on French goods should be very much
raised, the French foreign office said:
in answer to the last, France prefers
TO believe that congress will examine the
question with complete impartiality and
that il viii pronounce in the broadest
spirit of good will and justice upon any
proposals to charge higher duties on
French imports"
In reply to the question os TO arbitra-
ton, the following was said:
France loves peace and derotes her
self TO proving il. She is. consequently.
In no way hostile 10 measures the subject
Of which is, in a general way, safe
guard Of peace. But before pronouncing
on an agreement such as the one propos
ed between Great Britain and the United
States. France would prefer 10 await the
final action of the senate, and 10 see the
result Of the experiment if any be made"
In answer to a question as to what CO.
operation France would give to bring
about an international bimetallic con-
ference, NJ HanotauX said:
1.-THE cooperation which France could
give the United States in the assembling
of a monetary conference would natur-
ally depend upon the state of trade be-
tween the two countries. AS regards bi-
metallism France seems uncertain and
much divided