The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-25
1T HAS FINALLY ENDED.
Reciprocity Treaty Between France and
the United States Brought to a Close.
CONCESSIONS MADE BY BOTH NATIONS
This Is the Last OF the INSTRUMENTS
Under the Dingiey Inv, md the
Work Ia Now Closed.

washington, July <i.-Tlho long pending
reciprocity treaty negotiations between
the United States and France were brought
to a successful close at the state depart
ment late this evening, when Ambassador
Cambon, on behalf OF France, and Com
missioner kasson, on behalf OF the United
States, affixed their signatures TO the re-
| oiprocity treaty. 1t is by far the mos, i'm
| poriant treaty concluded under the recip-
rocity provisions OF the Dingley law and
the only ono affecting the trade with .
| large commercial nation. The negotiations
were marked by rather sharp and long
to the time the signatures were placed on
the document. In the end spirit of COM
promise prevailed and each side yielded
something. AS whole. both sides ex-
pressed satisfaction with the general re-
suit secured, for while the compromise
lnecessitated some minor sacrifices, the
general erect of the treaty VIII encourage
commerce between the two countries.
The concessions granted by France en-
braced most OF the articles in what g
known as the French minimum tariff
This comprises 644 heads, the rates being
those in the general tari1 of France. IL
was found necessary however, owing TO
protests from French agrarian interests
10 intercept from this list about twenty
four articles, chiefly agricultural prod
ucts. The French ministry was Obliged
60 pay heed TO this sentiment. and In turn
NJ. Camhon made the exceptions a con-
dition OF closing the treaty. II was on this
point that the negotiations We're In doubt
Tor several days, and 1t was only by COM
promising on the extent of exceptions
that an agreement was made possible AS
first predicted. the exceptions numbered
twelve, but some of these were classes M
Guiding a number of distinct items, so that
In all there were a large number OF cx-
ceptions. As finally determined upon,
these exceptions were narrowed down TO
twenty four. and outside of them the
United States gets the benefit of all the re-
ductions on the French minimum lists.
Besides the reductions given to this coun-
try, the treaty is important In continuing
number of minimum rates which would
have been abolished II the treaty had not
been concluded.
The most important of these articles are
petroleum and oils These enter France
on the minimum rates but had todaS's
agreement failed the articles would have
been subject to the rate of the regular
tariff. American cotton now enters France
free of duty, but had today's convention
failed cotton would have had to enter I'M
der aheavy tariff The Dingley law al
lows not TO exceed 20 per cent reduction
as a basis OF reciprocity. but the fun 20
per cent is not allowed on all the articles
entered by the treaty On some of them
the reduction is 5 per cent, on others TO-
others 10, and up to 20 per cent The list
would have been larger and the percent
age of reduction greater in some cases
lNgNt,.
missioner Kasson to permit exceptions
from the French minimum list, This
was the main cause leading to the omis-
sion of champagne from the list OF impor-
tant French products included In the
treaty. While quite DESTROYS of securing
a reduction of duty on this class of wines,
the French authorities were not ready to
grant the large number of reductions
asked as an Offset to the proposed reduction I
on this particular article. AS a result the
regular rates Will he maintained on spark I
ling wines coming to this country.
The treaty will result in placing the I
products of the United States on the same
basis in France as products OF Great Brit
ain and Germany AT present these coun- |
tries have the minimum French rate, whila
the American goods, with few exceptions, |
have had TO pay the maximum rate.
The convention ended today began |
nearly two years ago by NJ Patenotre. |
then ambassador from France. When he
was succeeded by NJ. Cnmbon the latter !
took up the negotiations. and for while |
there was a prospect of concluding a |
treaty. but delays occurred and in order |
to close the matter the French authorities
sent from Paris NJ Charpcnter, trade
expert. as special reciprocity delegate.
Ambassador Cambon viii leave for Paris .
IN about week, carrying with him the
French draft of tho Neaty.
The French treaty is the last Of the In
struInenfs of this kind and the treaty work
under the Dineley act is now brought to
close Six treaties have been made. all
save that with Franco relating to British
West India Islands.