The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-20
RECIPROCITY WITH FRANCE
Negotions Under the Dingley Law Will be
Began Soon.

Began Soon.
| Washington, Aug. 19-Secretary Sher-
man has acknowledged the recent over
ture of the French government, through
Ambassador Paternotre, for negotiating
a reciprocity treaty between the United
| States and France under the reciprocity
| clause Of the new tariff law, and the sec
rotary adds an assurance that ne hopes
TO take up this important subject a. an
| early day. 1t will be the first effort to-
| ward practical application of the reci-
procity clause of the new law, and 20
some extent il win shape the future ac-
ton OF the government on the treaties 10
be negotiated. In view Of this. careful
investigation is being made Of the statu-
| of trade between France and the United
States as preliminary to negotiations.
This has developed that the reciprocity
clause will not permit an offer 10 France
OF much reduction Of the duties The
data prepared in this Connection show that
imports from France for the year 1866
amounted TO SCI, 600 1t is estimated
that the duties under the new tariff law
on imports Of this amount would amount
to $S2, 100000. or 1885 per cent OF the val
ue Of the goods. IF, however, the reci-
procity clause IS granted to France, the
duties on French imports is estimated
at S3l, 100000. or AZ per cent of the value
or the goods. Thus the reciprocity
clause would reduce the French duties
less than Sl,0oO000 on a years imports.
Another estimate shows that the duties
on French imports are $50. 400 900 under
the Dingley law. as against s2l 900 900
that they would have been under the
Wilson law, an increase of ST., 400 900 in
duties on French goods
As against this il is shown tina, On the
imports Of the United States 70 France
amounting 20 So. 100000 the duties
would be N4.oo0,O oo or % % per cent of
the value Of the American goods sent II
France. From the standpoint Of the
French government there is much margin
Tor reciprocity, between the French rate
o. about % per cent against American
goods. ana the American rate OF about
- per een'. against French goods.
The present negotiations will be a So
qHal 10 The arrangement effected by Am
bassador Whitelaw Reid. March Is 1899
France continues 20 give the minimum
rates estimated at that time. although
ne United Saes long since withdrew
the reciprocal reductions on sugar. mn
!aSses, hides and skins When he ar
Fangenent was first made. France grant
ed the minimum rate on the folIovipg
American goods: Meats. fruit. dried fruit
woods. wood blocks for pavement. slaves
hoops, prepared pears and apoIts Pc
troieum ass secured certain ADVANCES
IN reduced rates. but /, is under sens--
axe provisions. These minimum, -ssas
are still IN force. although the F-en,,
government has fel; free 10 restore -.
maximum rates since the United States
ceased % give reciprocity en- sugar. mo-
iasSes. hides and skins.
Ambassador Pateno:re's prooosi.ior,
contenplates that the French minimum,
rates snail be continued il the Uni.ei
states grants reductions under the -a,i-
p7ociIy clause OF the new law. O.h4--
wise. the French government is i;Lal,,
10 restore her maximum rates agains,
meats fruits. dried fruits. woods. wood
olecks for pavement, slaves. hoops. n-e-
pared pears and apples. and possibly pc
troleum.
me French authorities feel that they
are entitled 70 reciprocity. which a, most
viii not exceed 100000 as heretofore
shown. because o.. the lower percentage
o. duty levied by France On American