Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-31

Washington, May 30.-The United
States and France have concluded the
first commercial agreement entered into
under section 3 Of the Dingley tariff
law. The negotiations have been pend
ing for the last eight months and after
many vicissitudes, were concluded on
Saturday last, when Ambassador Cam
bon, in behalf of France and the Hon.
John Kasson. reciprocity commissioner
for the United States. affixed their sig
natures to the formal agreement. 1t
makes important changes in the tariff
rates on a number of articles. consti-
tuting the chief trade between this
country and France. The particular
advantages secured by the United States
are on meat products and lard COM
pounds, France reducing her rates one
half on meat products and about one
third on lard compounds. The chief
benefits to France are IN reduction IN
rates on brandies. stilled wines. YER
muth and works of art. There is 80
reduction in the rate on champagne.
although the Dingley law contemplated
reciprocity reduction on champagnes
in case mutual concessions were given.
By the terms of the agreement the
new rates go into effect on June 1, or
next Wednesday. In the meantime,
under the terms of the Jaw the PresI-
dent has issued a proclamation grant
ing the reciprocal reductions specified
In the agreement, and at the same time
the French authorities. at Paris. will
decree a reduction in the French rates
in accordance with the agreement
The conclusion of the agreement is
source of
GENERAL GENERALIZATION
among the officials of the State depart
ment and of the French embassy. Sew
eral reciprocity negotiations Lave been
in progress and it was thought those
with Great Britain were y likely to be
concluded first.
The French negotiations began last
October. when M. Patenotre vas the
French ambassador here. 1t soon de-
veloped, however, that the United
States expected much larger conces-
slons, particularly on meat products,
than M. Patenotre was ready to yield.
M. Cambon. formerly governor general
OF Algiers, and regarded as one of the
most capable diplomatic officials in the
French service. when he succeeded M.
Patenctre. resumed the work Acting
under instructions from Paris. conces-
sions were made which allowed that
two governments to come together. 1t
was matter of no little surprise that
the arrangement was concluded at the
present time when the war emergency
compelled this government to look for
every possible resource for revenue
ana 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 regarded as significant in showing
the good Will existing between the Uni
ted States and France. In official cir
cles there never has been any ones
ton as to the continued cordialitv he
tween the two countries, Iut in unofB-
ctal quarters there have been reports
VI friction. 1t is believed that the
agreement will serve to
DISPEL MlSAPPREHENSIO
as to the satisfactory relations betuoor
the Two governments, and that II will
" quite as beneficial in increasing the
as the trade. The benefit of the Frono,'
minimum tariff which is granted to
various products Of the soil and indus.
u: OF the United States is especially ad-
Vantageous to western industries in
t tr.ol the large meat packing indus
tr.es OF Chicago, Kansas City Oman.
ana st. Louis. AS a result of tbasa
o o,nlc 1t is believed among off,
t enat the agreement will have
nenenclal influence in increasing the
interest ns and cooperation 3f-the west
anu the country in general in tbs
French exposition in 1900. = ne