San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-08-23
NO WHEAT IN THAT COUNTRY
Nj AND WELFARE LOOKED TO
FOR THEIR SUPPLY.
Agitation Going On To Have The
HDaty Taken. Off And ..Allow II
Ehterei.Free- They Are Glad Z
That We Have Plenty Of
The Grain For Them.

New YORK, Aug. IA ulSpatcn 10
the Herald from Paris says:
There seems no reason to believe
that the import duty on wheat will be
taken off, even temporarily. There
seems but one opinion, namely, that
to abolish the duty would merely en-
rich the spectators, derange the equi-
librium of the budget, work serious
harm to the French cultivator and
bring not an iota of relief to the con-
sumner. An official at the ministry of
agriculture says:
in years of plenty the duty has not
been able to make cultivation profit
able. This year there is sure to be
big deficit in the crop. The grower
will therefore be able to derive some
benefit from the duty. This they can
do without bread being forced up to
famine prices, as the party clamoring
for the abolition of the duty alleged.
Therefore, it is my personal opinion
that there is not the most remote pos
sibility of the government removing
or even reducing the import tax on
grain"
The Temps publishes the following
interview, unofficial, it is true, but
nevertheless obtained from some one
at the ministry of agriculture, where
some idea of the views of NJ. VICAR
are trying to be had:
1.-THE wheat crops during the last
few years were abundant. The mar
ket was Overcrowded. Prices were
low and quotations went down to 20
fracs per quintal and even to Is francs
but the land was fertile and the cult
vators managed to get some little
profit from the plentiful harvests.
This year the conditions have been
unfavorable. The crops have been
bad everywhere in France and Europe
generally. The variations of the en-
pire, the heavy rains, halls and floods
have simply devastated the fields.
America-and we are glad of it, has
escaped these calamltous conditions
and by herself can furnish the mar
kets of the old world.
"What has been the result Of wheat
being scarce? Its price has gone up.
If this is unfortunate for the custom
er, the agriculturist, who after all, de-
serves some attention, will be able to
receive some recompense for his Ia
Dor. The question Of wheat cannot
possibly be regarded as alarming now
adays.
Then again, the comment made in
certain quarters is exaggerated. The
prices, such as have been current
during the past week, have often been
obtained previously without the coun-
try starving, but serious damage
would be done if the duties were re-
moved even for a short period. This
is why NJ. Viger has persuaded the
general council of the Loiret to vote
a desire that no modification shall be
made in the import duties of foreign
grain"
The municipal council voted reso-
luton to petition the minister of ag-
riculture to remove the duty on flour
should it prove inexpedient to abolish
the duty on wheat.
NJ. Chaplain, who is a recognized
authority on all matters connected
with the grain trade, said today, how
ever, that he did not think NJ. Meline
would acceded to the desire of the
council.
The municipal council voted reso-
luton urging the minister of agricul-
ture to use his prerogative and to re-