The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-25
RECIPROCITY WITH FRANCE.
TREATY COMPLETED AND DULY
SIGNED BY BOTH PARTIES.
Important Concessions Made ON Both
sides, Hut on the whole Both Are
Satisfied That IL VIII Largely In-
crease Trade Between Countries.

WASHINGTON, July 24-The long
pending reciprocity treaty negotiations
between the United States and France
were brought 10 a successful close AT the
state department late this afternoon.
when Ambassador cambon. In behalf Of
France. and Commissioner Kasson. In be-
half of the United States, affixed their
signatures TO the reciprocity treaty. 1t
Is by far the most important treaty con-
Guided under the reciprocity treaty Of the
Dingley Law. and the only one affecting
the trade with a large commercial ma
ton. The negotiations were marked by
rather sharp and long continued discus
sions. which continued 70 the time the
signatures were placed on the document.
In the end spirit Of compromise pre-
vailed and each side yielded something.
As a whole both sides express satlsfac-
ton at the general results secured. for
,~hiIe the compromise necessisated some
MINOR sacrifices. the general effect Of the
treaty viii encourage commerce between
the two countries.
The concessions granted by France en-
braced most OF the articles in what Is
known us the French minimum tariff
This comprises GA heads. the rates being
on an average about % per cent. lower
than those in the general tariff Of France
II was foune necessary, however, owing
20 protests from French agrarian inter
ests. TO except from this minimum list
about tweuty-four articles chiefly agrt-
cultural products The French ministry
was obliged to pay heed 10 this scnti-
nsnt, ard sn turn 81. cambon made the
~ 81.
treaty. II was on this point that the ne
Sotlations were in doubt for several days
and & was only By compromising on the
extent Of the exceptions that an agree
Ersent was made possible. As first pre-
scented the exceptions numbered twelve.
bat some Of these were classes Including
number of distinct items. so ,has
ia ali there were large num-
Der of exceptions A. fnaify dr.
tsrrnined upon these exceptions were mar
rowet down TO twenty-four ard outsid.
the United States gets the beseat OF aH
the reductions on the French minimum
list.
Besides the reductions given 20 this
country, the treaty Is irfrortant n cogr-
flnwsnr a nurlAer 81 minimum rates " hie9
would have hesen abolished Il the treaty
had not f-sen concluded TIE most frnsort-
ant Of these articles are pstrol1gFa aasi
mineral cts ~ present shesA OILS enter
Frauce in Yvsnlniar7 rates hst had tgdAs :
treaty faslaa "a rate would have heexs ms
posed. making difference u Gatv
amounting - ABOUT g 90 asa The sasna ss
true ~ 10 csttsrg. which ss oss@ of sae
chief articles Of shipment frsrn tne United
states - France ard enters duty free
Haa the tra&FY failed, heavy dGty wnssst
hase Ssen imposed upssn American cox
ten. T-ae same Is true o. eop.er. rsahA#r
ard mary rsaSses ~ machinery,
France secures important concessions N
over l.s Of fhe chief products ss1t sy
Franc. 20 this coantry Tas DsnTsey ia ~
.ssswx rot 81 exceed - per csnt. rssiue
.fon mk a basis of reciprocity. set .hs iuli
- per cent. II 10. allowed xa al the ssr-
eses covered hy tas treaty. Gn some ss
she-n tse res8aes4rss - per cent. OF ota-
ere 70 per cent. ofssrx Is sga3 ap 20 = sser
seat. TIE list eoaid have 5e~sa i&rgs r