The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-07-29
TREATY is SIGNED
NEGOTIATIONS WITH FRANCE Sue
CEssFULLY TERMINATED.
Most Important Treaty Concluded
Under the Reciprocity Provisions
Of the Dingley Law and the Only
One Affecting Trade With a Large
Commercial Nation = Both sides
Express Subtraction With the
General Results Secured-Conces-
sions Made ON Both Sides.

Washington, July 26-The long pend
ing reciprocity treaty negotiations be-
tween the United States and France
were brought to a successful close at
the state department late yesterday
afternoon when Ambassador Cambon,
in behalf Of France, and Commissioner
Kasson. in behalf Of the United States,
affixed their signatures to the resiproc-
ity treaty. 1t is bay far the most i'm
portant treaty concluded under the
reciprocity provisions Of the Dingley
law, and the only one affecting the
trade with a large commercial nation.
The negotiations were marked by rath-
er sharp and long continued discus
sions which continued up to the time
the signatures were placed on the
document. In the end a spirit of CON-
promise prevailed and eeach side yield
ed something. AS a whole both sides
express satisfaction with the general
results secured, for while the compro-
mise necessitated some minor sacri-
fees, the general effect of the treaty
will encourage commerce between the
two countries.
The concessions granted by France
embraced most of the articles in which
is known as the French minimum tar
iii. This comprises GA heads, the
rate being on an average about 20
per cent below those in the general
tariff on France. 1t was found neces-
sary, however, owing to protests from
French agrarian interests to except
from this minimum list about twenty.
four articles, chiefly agricultural prod
ucts. The French ministry was
obliged to pay heed to this sentiments,
and in turn NJ. Cambon made the ex-
ceptions a condition of closing the
treaty. 1t was on this point that the
negotiations were in doubt for several
days. and it was only by compromis-
ing on the extent of the exceptions
that an agreement was made possible.
AS first presented the exceptions num-
bered twelve, but some Of these were
classes including a number of distinct
items, so that in all there were a large
number of exceptions. AS finally de-
termined upon these exceptions were
narrowed down to twenty-four, and
outside of them the United States gets
the benefit of all the reductions on the
French minimum list.
Besides the reductions given to this
country the treaty is important in con-
tinuing a number of minimum rates
which would have been abolished of
the treaty had not been concluded.
The most important Of these articles
are petroleum and mineral ores. At
present these oils enter France on the
minimum list. but has this treaty
failed a rate would have been imposed
making a difference of duty amounting
to about S., % 600. The same is true
as to cotton. which is one of the chief
articles of shipment from the United
States to France and enters duty free.
Had the treaty failed a heavy duty
would have been imposed upon Ameri-
can cotton. The same is true Of copper,
rubber and many classes of ma
chinery. France secured important
concessions on over one hundred of the
chief products sent by France to this
country. The treaty will result in
placing the products of the United
States on the same basis in France as
products of Great Britain and Ger
many.