Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-31
TRADE TREATY WITH FRANCE.
reciprocity Pact-MutunI Good Will
congratulations.

| WASHINGTON, d. g., May SO--The
| United states and France have concluded
| the first commercial agreement entered
into under section of the Dingley tariff
law. The negotiations have been pending
for the last eight months, and after mary
Vicissitudes were cOnclu led on Saturday
last, when Ambassador Cambon, in be-
half of France, and the Hon. John A.
hasson, reciprocity commissioner for the
United States, affixed their signatures tC
the formal agreement. The President to-
day issued a proclamation granting tho
reciprocal reductions specified. Jhe
French authorities will also decree 1e-
duction in tho Frencn rates. Ia accord
ance with the agreement.
The agreement makes important changes
IN the tariff rates on number of articles
constituting the chief trade between this
country and France. The particular aG-
vantages secured by the United States are
on meat products and lard compounds,
France reducing her rate one half on the
first and about one third on the latter.
The chief benefits 20 France are in le-
duction in the rates on ordndias, stiled
wines, vermuth, and works Of art. There
Is no reduction in the rate on champagne,
although the Dingley law contempates a
reciprocity reduction on champagnes, in
BY the terms Of the agreement the new
rates go into effect on June LIST, or next
Wednesday.
The conclusion of the agreement is a
source Of general cOngTatulation among
the officials Of the State Department and
Of the French embassy. Several recipro-
city negotiations have been in progress,
and it was thought those with Great Bri-
tain were likely 70 be concluded first The
Ia
when NJ. Patenotre was the French Am
oassadOr here. 1t soon developed, how
ever that the United States expected
much larger concessions, particularly on
meat products, than NJ. Patenotre was
ready to yield. NJ. Cambon, formerly Gov
ernor-General Of Algiers. and regarded as
one of the most capable diplomatic Off
cals in the French service resumed the |
work when he succeeded NJ. Patenotre, |
who was promoted TO the Madrid mission, |
and. acting under instructions from Paris, |
were made which allowed the |
two governments 10 come together.
1t was a matter Of no little surprise |
that the arrangement was concluded AT |
the present time when the war emergen-
cy compelled this government 10 look for |
every possible resource for revenue, and |
when there was a concentration Of OH
clal. attention on measures relating d1-
rectly TO the war.
Aside from the tariff changes made by |
the new agreement. the convention IS
regarded as significant showing the
goodwill existing between the United |
States and France. In official circles
here never has been any question as TO
the continued cordiality between the two
but in unofficial quarters there
have been reports of friction. 1t is be-
ieved that the agreement VIII serve 10
lispel misapprehensions as TO the satls-
'actory relations between the two govern
nents. and that it VIII be quite as bene-
icial in increasing the good VIII between
he two republics as the trade.
The benefit Of the French minimum
arlff which is granted TO various pro- |
lucts of the soil and industry or the
rnited States is especially advantageous
a western industries. AS a result or
hese concessions it is believed among
,ficiaIs that the agreement viii have a
beneficial influence in increasing the in
crest and cooperation of the West ana
he country i'm general in the French EX-
,ositiOn in 1901.
Tbe agreement in detail grants the fol-
owing concessions on American pro-
ucts. Manufactured meats, prepared
rom pork. 80 francs per 100 klos in lieu
I the regular rates of 100 francs; lard
nd its compounds, 25 francs per 100
ilos in lieu OF 10 francs. The French
minimum rate is also continued on table
nit. canned meats, dried or pressed
ruitg. common woods, paying-blocks,
ayes. hops, apples, and pears, cured and
ried These minimum rates were origi-
ally secured by Ambassador Whitelaw 7
cid but they were about 10 be discon- /
nued for the maximum rates
The concessions allowed to France are 6
! follows: Argot, so per cent. ad valo- v
IN. in lieu OF / TO cents per pound; =
-andies and other spirits N.75 per gal S
n. In lieu of S2.25 per gallon; still wine Il
nd vermuth, 35 cents per gallon, in lieu a
40 and 80 cents per gallon; paintings, I
atuary, and works of art, 10 per cent. I
valorem, in lieu of 20 per cent al Is
loren. The reciprocity reduction from ]
10 SO per dozen on champagne per S
zen quarts, as contemplated by the u
W. IL not concluded In the agreement h