The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-31
RECIPROCITY WITH FRANCE.
An Agreement Signed for Mutual
Reduction of Duties.

NthhNAAoh W. DhAAtEs
Washington, May G-The United States
and Franco nave concluded the first com.
meroial agreement entered into under sec
ton of the Dngley tariff law.
The negotiations have been pending for
the last eight months, ana after many VI
cissitudes were concluded ON Saturday last,
when Ami assador Cambon. In behalf Of
France, and the Hon. John A. Kasson,
reciprocity commissioner of the United
States, affixed their signatures to the
formal agreement
The President to-day issued a procla-
nation granting the reciprocal reductions
specified.
The French authorities wiz also decree
a reduction in the French rates In accord
ance with the agreement
The agreement makes important changes
IN the tariff rates on a number of articles
country ana France.
The particular advantages secured by
the United states are on meat products
ana lard compounds France reducing her
rates one-half on the former and about
one-third on the latter.
The chief benefits Go France are in re-
duction of rates on sbrandies, sdlled wines,
reduction In the rates Of champagues, al
though the Dlngley law contemplated
reciprocity reduction on champagnes IN
case mutual concessions were given.
BY the terms of the agreement the new
rates 80 into effect on June /, or next
Wednesday.
The conclusion of this agreement Is q
source of much general congratulation
among the officials of the state depart
ment and OF the French embassy.
Several reciprocity negotiations have
been In progress and 1t was thought those
with Great Britain were likely TO be con-
cluded first.
The French negotiations began last Oc-
tober when M Patenotre was the French
ambassador 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.
M. Cambon. former governor general
of Algiers, and regarded as one of the
most capable diplomatic officials in the
French service, resumed the work when
he succeeded NJ Patenotre, who was pro-
noted TO The Madrid mission and, acting
under instructions from Paris, concessions
We're made which allowed the two govern
ments to come together.
IL was matter Of surprise that the ar
rangement was concluded at the present
lililtg Nlfu AlE WtI emergency GOiDalltU
the government to look out for every pos
sible recourse for revenue and when there
was a concentration Of official attention
on measures relating directly to the war.
Aside from the tariff changes made by
the new agreement, the convention Is re-
garded as significant in showing the good
will existing between the United States
and France. In official circles there never
has been any question as to the continued
eprIao1tttr countries hlf
In unofficial quarters there have been re-
ports Of friction. 1t is believed that the
agreement VIII serve to dispel mlsappre-
tensions as to the satisfactory relations
between the two governments, and that st
will b. quite as beneficial in increasing
the good Will between the two republics
as the trade
The benefit of the French minimum
tariff which IS granted to various pro-
ducts Of the soil and industry of the Uni
ted States, Is especially advantageous to
Western industries. AS n result Of these
concessions, 1t is believed among officials
that the agreement will have q beneficial
influence In increasing the interest and
cooperation OF the West and the country
IN general in the French Exposition in
1900.
The agreement In detail grants the fol-
lowing concessions on American products:
Manufactured meats, prepared from pork,
80 francs per 100 kilos, in lieu of the regu-
lar rate Of 100 francs; lard and It's COM
pounds. 25 francs per 100 kilos in lieu OF
40 francs The French minimum rate is
also continued on table fruit. canned
meats. dried or pressed fruits, common
woods, paving blocks, slaves hops and
apples and pears, crushed, cut or dried,
These minimum rates were originally Sc
cured by Ambassador Whtelaw Reid but
they were about to be discontinued for the
tf.,.,..
allowed France are as follows:
Argol 5 per cent. ad valo-
rem In lieu Of ! 20 8 cents per pound ,
brandles and other spirits, $1.75 per gallon
In lieu Of $2.25 per gallon; stll wine and
vermuth 35 cents per gallon In lieu Of 40
and 20 cents per gallon; paintings, statu-
airy and works Of art, IS per cent ad va2o-
rem, in lie of 20 per cent ad valorem. The
reciprocity reduction from 50 10 So on cham
payne per dozen quarts, as contemplated
by The law, is not concluded in the agree
ment.