Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-17
FRENCH BULLDOzING.
NJ. HANOTAUX SEEKS TO BRIGHTEN
UNCLE SAM.
TALKS OF THE NEW TARIFF.
SAYS 1T WILL TEND TO SEVER
BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP.
Holds m International BimetnIIism
Club Over This Country ana
Wnrns 1t to Bewnre-Amer-
lean COnsuis Criticized
for Indiscretion.
TALKS OF THE NEW TARIFF.

Paris. April 16-The Dingley tariff bill
has aroused considerable antagonism
among French mercantile circles, where it
Is pointed out that the measure may lead
TO 4 policy disastrous in its effects on GER
tain French industries. Some representa-
tlons of this nature have already been made
to members of the French government.
The Associated Press sent to NJ. Hanotaux,
the French foreign minister, number of
questions bearing on the tariff situation
and the relations of the two republics.
The French foreign Office returned the fol-
lowing written reply:
The federal government at Washington
will succeed without any doubt in drawing
closer the bonds which unite France and
the United States by abstaining from over
taxing 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 quasi prohibit
i've 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
differences between the two great repub-
lies. They are bound together by too many
memories and traditions for a spirit of hos
tility to grow between them. The solution
of small current questions which give rise
to negotiations between the two countries,
is, however, sometimes rendered difficult
by the arSumentative spirit of the Ameri-
ican state department.
Although France has no grounds for
complaining of the diplomatic and con-
sular representations of the United States,
there is, nevertheless, reason for stating
that she has been surprised at the attitude
OF certain American conSuls. One of them
admitted to exercise his functions in one
of the great ports of France seems quite
recently to have undertaken the talk of
dis paraging the product 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 ad-
ministrative documents.
Another agent vino had also exercised
the functions of consul in one of the great
towns of France spoke of French wines
in the course of lecture delivered in the
United States-in the most unfavorable
terms, the worst terms. Both these agents
represented French wines as watered
adulterated, mixed with plaster of paris
and composed of all sorts of noXious in
gradients.
Gases such as these denote the deplor-
able tendency and want of prudence of GER
taiE American agents"
In reply 10 the question Whether France
would retaliate in case the tariff on French
goods should be. very much raised, the
French foreign office said
This office prefers TO believe that con-
gress will examine the question with COM
plete impartiality, and that it will pro-
ncurce, in the broadest spirit of good will
and justice, upon any proposals 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 proving it. She is, consequently, in no
way hostile to measures the object of which
is in general way, a safeguard of peace.
But before pronouncing 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 expert
ment If any be made
In answer to a question as to what CO.
operation France would give to bring about
an international bimetallic conference, NJ.
HanctauX said: THE cooperation which
France could give the United States in the
assembling of monetary conference would
naturally depend on the state of trade be-
tween the two countries. AS regards BIZ
metallisnr France seems uncertain and
much divided