The San Francisco call., 1898-05-19
RELATIONS
 WITH FRANCE Not as Cordial as the Diplomats Desire. RECIPROCITY IS SUSPENDED. NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN
 BROKEN OFF. It Is Evident That the Paris Govern ment Is Influenced by It's
 Sympathy for
 Spain.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

NEW YORK, May 1S-The Herald S
 Washington correspondent telegraphs: :: While the relations between the United
 States and Great Britain are, being more closely knit together those with France are not as cordial as the au- thorities would like. It developed to- day that there has been a practical suspension of the reciprocity negotia- t1ons between the Washington and Paris Governments, due to the action of the French authorities in increasing the tariff duty on several American products imported largely into France.
 This increase is particularly felt by meat shippers. who are indignant, and protests have been made to the State Department which have caused the de- partment to submit a formal protest on the subject to France. In the mean time reciprocity negotiations are Ian- gushing, and it Is doubtful if they will be resumed until France has made a satisfactory explanation of her action. or at least has reduced the tariff to the point it was before the existing law went into effect.
 France increased her tariff after the Dfngley law went into effect" said an official with whom talked, the object being to take or the increase in ex- change for concessions to be given by this Government in accordance with the provisions of the Dingley law. To say the least it was a. rather sharp trick This Government was informed at the time the French executive re- commended its legislature to enact a law providing for the imposition of in creased duties on American products and the matter at the time was brought 10 the attention of the Paris authori- ties, but the law was placed on the French statute books and is now being enforced"
 It is the firm belief of the admins tration officials that the French atti- tude on the tariff and other questions between the two governments is dic- tated by her sympathy for Spain, and there IS no question that the Spanish Government is receiving her moral SUD- port. If the Spanish fleet could suc- ceed in raising any part of the Ameri- can blockade of Cuba the officials have no doubt that France would be one of the first nations to raise innumerable questions growing out of the alleged in- effectiveness of the blockade.
 As an offset to Frances attitude that assumed by Great Britain is most re- freshing to the officials and no surprise need be expressed if the most trouble some questions between the two gov ernments are promtply and effectually settled.
 It is known that reciprocity nego- tiations between the I ted States and Great Britain for Be 'uda, Bahama and West Indian Islai belonging to Great Britain are progressing most sat isfactory, and there is some reason to believe that Canada will soon enter into reciprocity negotiations with this country.
 Special Ambassador Foster is also busy with the Bering Sea controversy and it is quite possible that a solution of this question may be expected with in the near future. One of the most pointed features of the good relations existing between the United States and Great Britain is the fact that Sir Ju- Han Pauncefote is daily visitor to the State Department and that his rela- tions with the officials of the depart ment are of a most cordial character
 It is denied in official circles that is being done looking to the formation of an alliance between the two countries, and 1t Is stated that the treaty is still on the shelf