Evening journal., 1897-04-17
WARNING FROM FRANCE.
Hanotauzs Diplomatic Attack
on the Dingley Bill.
OUR ooEsULs ARE CONCERNED.

lie Also Complains of the ''Arsumenta-
tive Spirit OF the American State De-
Observation-Disclosures Also Object to
Our Position Relative to the New Cable.
Paris, April Il. - The Dingley tariff
l+H has aroused considerable antago-
nism IN French mercantile circles. where
II is pointed out that the measure may
lead to policy disastrous in its effects
on certain French industries. Some rep
reservations of this nature having been
made to members Of the French gov
crninent, NJ. Hanotaux, the French for
eign minister, has been asked a number
Of questions bearing on the tariff stu
alton and the relations Of the two re-
publics. The French foreign Office re-
turned the following written reply:
The federal government at Washing
ton will succeed without any doubt in
drawing closer the bonds which unite
France and the United States by alb
staining from overtaxing imported
French goods. such as sparkling and
still wines, brandies, silks. woolens,
gloves. works Of art, etc. To shut out
of the United States by quasiprohib-
itive tariffs the products of French in
dustry and art will evidently have a
contrary effect.
1t is to be hoped this will not even
tually 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 veritable spirit of hos
tility to grow up between them. The
solution of small current questions
which give rise to negotiations between
the two countries is, however. some
times rende ed difficult by the argu-
mentative spirit of the American state
department.
Certain COnsuls Eaye Offended.
Although France has no grounds for
complaining Of the diplomatic and con-
sular representation of the United
States, there is nevertheless reason for
stating that she has been surprised al
the attitude Of certain American con-
suls. One of them, admitted to exer-
else his functions in one of the great
ports of France. seems quite recently
to have undertaken the task of dis
paraging the produce Of French vine
yards. Incorrect statements, denied
after inquiry by competent authorities
have been reproduced in official reports
by the agent in question and made
public in administrative documents.
Another agent who had also exer.
cised the functions Of consul in one o
the great towns of France spoke Of
French wines-in the course Of a lee
ture delivered in the United States-ir
the most unfavOrabe terms, the wors
terms Both these agents represented
French wines as watered, mixed Will
plaster of Paris and composed Of al
sorts of noxious ingredients. Case
such as these denote the deplOrabl'
tendencies and want of prudence of Ger
tain American agents
WIN France Retaliate9
In reply 70 the question whethe
France would retaliate in case the tarii
on French goods should be very muc
raised. the French foreign office said:
THE answer to thai is that Franc
prefers to believe that congress will ex
anime the question with complete i'm
partiality and that it will pronOunc
in the broadest spirit of good Will an
justice upon any proposals to charg
high duties on French imports"
In reply to a question as to arbitra
tion, the following was said:
France loves peace and devotes her
self to preserving 1t. She is consequent
ly in no way hostile to measures tn
object of which is in a general way I
safeguard peace. but before pronound
ing on an agreement such as the on
proposed between Great Britain an
the United States. France would prefe
10 await the final action of the senat
and see the result of the experiment
If any, to be made"
In answer to a question as to wha
cooperation France would give to brin
about an international bimetalic cor
ference. NJ. Ianotaux said.
THE cooperation which France coul
give the United States in the assemblin
of a monetary conference would natu
rally depend upon the state Of the rela
tions between the two countries. a
regards bimetallism itself, opinion /
France seems uncertain and very muc
divided"
Trouble over the New French Cable.
Washington. April 1.-THE Frenc
embassy here is actively assisting II
French Telegraphic Gable company
Efforts it is making to lay new cab
from Brest. France, to Cape Cod, Mass
which shall take the place Of the o
pose the attention of senators has bee
sled to the restrictions which penI
ing senate bill will places upon Il
French company. This bill prohibi
the landing of new cables without Il
previous consent of congress, and It
claimed to be directed mainly again
ths French company. The cable hi
been partly laid and it is said that Il
care requisite in laying a cable max
II necessary to take advantage Of Il
coming summer in, order to make Il
landing at Cape Cod.
he French company has submItt
protest to the senate committee
commerce. and a strong intimaion h
hson made to senators from ofiici
Frcach sources thatif the French cor
pany is denied entrance TO this countr
the1 there will be strong probability
rs.aliation by the French governme
araiast the four American cable cor
psnies entering France. The point
u;sed also that the cable line to Fran
would be Of important military al
strategic importance to this country
TIE event of trouble between the Unit