New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-17
FRANCE AND THE TARIFF.
STATEMENTS FROM THE FRENCH FOR
EIGN OFFICE.
NJ. HANoTAUx CRITICIsEs UNFAvoRABLY AMERi-
CAN CONGRATULATIONS AND IN
TERNArIoNAL BIMETALLIsM.

CAN CONsUIs-ARBITRATIoN AND IN
TERNArIoNAL BIMErArIIsM
Paris. April 16-The Dingley Tariff bill has
aroused considerable antagonisrn In French iher-
camille circles. where II is pointed out that the
measure may lead tc policy disastrous III i's
effects on certain French industries Some
re presentations of this nature having aireauy
been made to members Of the French Govern
ment. the Associated Press sent to NJ. Hanotaux'
the French Foreign Minister number of ques-
tions bearing on the tariff situation and the re-
lations Of the two republics. The French For
elgn Office returned the following written reply:
THE Federal Government at Washington VIII
succeed without any doubt in drawing closer the
bonds which unite France and the United States
by abstaning from overtaxing imported French
goods. such sparkling and still wines, bran
dies silks, woollens. gloves. works OF art. etc.
To shut out OF the United States by quasi pro-
hibitive tariffs the product Of French Industry
and art WILL evidently, have a contrary effect.
1T is TO be hoped this will not eventually be
done. At the present time there are no differ
ences between the two great republics. They
bound together by too many memories ana
traditions for a veritable spirit of hostility TO
grow up between them. The solution OF small
current questions which give rise to negotiations
between the two countries is. however, some
times rendered difficult by the argumentative
spirit Of the American state Department
Although France has grounds for COM
planning OF the diplomatic and consular repre-
sentation OF the United States. there Is. never
theesa. reason for stating that she has been sur
prised at the attitude Of certain American Con
suls One Of them, admitted to exercise his
functions in one of the great ports OF France
seems quite recently to have undertaken the
task Of disparaging the produce Of French vine-
Yards. Incorrect statements, denied after IN
quiry by competent authorities. have been re-
produced in official reports by the agent In ques
tion and made public IN administrative docu-
ments.
Another agent who had also exercised the
functions of Consul in OF the great towns Of
France spoke OF French wines-in the cours"
of a lecture delivered in tho United States-in
the most unfavorabe terms the worst terms
Both these agents represented French wines as
watercd. adulterated. mixed with plaster or
paris. and composed Of all sorts of noxious IN
gradients. .
Cases such as these denote the deplorable
tendencies and want Of prudence OF certain
American agents"
In reply TO the question whether France would
retaIiate in case the tariff on French goods
should he very much raised. the French Foreign
Office said
believe that Congress will examine the question
with complete impartiality an1 that II VIII pro,
nounce in the hroadest spirit Of goodwin ana
justice upon any Hl'poH"i9 W N"''' - '''r'''
on French imports.
In reply to question as 10 arbitrator" ''o
following was said:
France loves peace and devotes herself 10
preserving IT, She is consequently. in no way
hostile to measures the object or whlcn is III
2 general way To safeguard peace But De
fore pronouncing on an agreement such as the
one proposed between Great Britain ana 'he
United States, France would prefer TO await
the final action Of the Senate, and 70 sec the
result OF the experiment, II any. 10 be MADE.
In answer to a question as to what co-opeIa-
,ion France would give to bring ABOUT an m
ternational bmetalic conference, NJ. HanotauN
said: - ,, ,,.o ,ho
"The cooperation which France could give .ne ~,
United States in the assembling OF a monetary
conference would naturally depend upon the
state of the relations between the TWO couh-
tries AS regards bimetallsm itself opinon IN n
Rance seems uncertain and very much divided