The morning news., 1897-04-17
DINGLEY'S BILL DENOUNCED.
FRENCH EXPORTERS INDIGNANT
OVER IT'S PROVISIONS.

The French Foreign Minister Inti-
mates That the Adoption of Pro-
hIbitiOn Duties VIII Give Rise to
an UnfriendIy FeeiinE-COmpIaint
Made of the Reports sent to Fhgs
Country on French Manufactures
by Certain American Consular
Agents.
Paris, April 1.-THE Dingley bill has
aroused considerable Indignation In
French mercantile circles, where it is
pointed out that the measure may lead to
a policy disastrous in its effects on GER
tain French Industries.
Some representations of this nature
having already been made to members Of
the French government. the Associated
Press sent to NJ Hanotaux, the French
foreign minister a number OF questions
bearing on the tariff situation and the re-
lations of the two republics. The French
foreign office returned the following writ
ten reply: THE federal government at
Washington viii succeed without any
doubt in drawing closer the bonds which
unite France and the United States by
abstaining from overtaxing imported
French goods, such as sparkling and still
wines, brandies, silks. woolens, gloves,
works of art, etc. To shut out of the Uni
ted States by quasi-prohibitive tariffs the
products of French industry and art wiil
evidently. have contrary effect.
1T is to be hoped this will not eventual
ly be done. At the present time there are
no differences between the two great re-
publcs. They are bound together by too
many memories and traditions. for a YER
liable spirit of hostility to grow between
them. The solution of small current ques-
tions which give rise to negotiations be-
tween the two countries. is, however,
something rendered dihicult by the argu-
meniative spirit Of the American state
department.
Although France has no grounds for
complaining Of the diplomatic and con-
sular representatives Of the United States
there is, nevertheless, reason for stating
that she has been surprised at the at
titude OF certain American consuls. One
of the consuls admitted to exercise his
functions In one of the great ports OF
France, seems quite recently to have un-
duce of French vineyards. Incorrect state
ments. denied after inquiry by competent
authorities, have been reproduced in Of
fetal reports by the agent in question
and made public IN administrative docu-
ments.
Another agent who had exercised tbs
functions of consul at one of the grfat
towns Of France, spoke OF French WINGS
IN the course Of a lecture la the UHited
States-in the most unfavOrable terms the
worst terms. Both these agents rtpre-
sented French wines as watered, adtter-
ated, mixed with plaster of paris and all
sorts of noxious ingredients.
Ceases such as these denote the deplota-
BILE tendencies and want OF prudence "
certain American consular agents"
In reply TO the question whether Franco
would retaliate in case the tariff on French
goods should be very much raised, tha
French foreign Office said: THE answer
to that Is that France prefers to believe
that congress will examine into the ques-
ton with complete impartiality, and that
il will pronounce In the broadest spirit OF
will and justice on any proposal to charge
high duties on French imports.
In reply to a question as to arbitration,
the following was said: France loves
peace and devotes herself TO preserving Il.
She Is consequently In no way hostile to
measures the object of which is in any
way to safeguard peace. But before pro-
nouncing on an agreement such as the
one proposed between Great Britain and
the United States, France would prefer
TO wait the final action Of the Senate and
to see the result Of the experiment, IL
any Is to be made"
In answer to a question as 10 what CO.
operation France would give TO bring
about an international blmetallic confer
ence, M. Hanotaux said: "The co-opera-
ton which France could give the United
States IN the assembling of a monetary
conference would naturally depend upon
the state Of the relations between the two
countries. AS regards bimetallism Itself
opinion in France seems uncertain and
very much divided"