The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-07-26

France and Is the Most Important Ono
Yet Coming Under the Provisions of
the Dingley Tariff BiiI-Concessions
Made By Both Governments.
WASHINGTON, July 25.-The long
between the United States and France
were brought to a successful close at
the state department, when Ambassador
Cambon in behalf of France, and Com
United States, affixed their signatures
to the reciprocity treaty. 1t is by far
the most stimportanttreaty concluded un-
der the reciprocity provisions of the
Dingley law and the only one affect
ing the trade with a large commercial
nation. The negotiations were marked
by rather sharp and long continued dis
cussions, which continued up to the
time the signatures were placed on the
document. In the end, a spirit of COM
promise prevailed and each side yield
ed something. AS whole both sides
express satisfaction with the general
results secured, for while the treaty
necessitated some minor sacrifices the
general effect of the treaty will en-
courage commerce between the two
countries.
The concessions granted by France
embraced most of the articles in what
is known as the French minimum tar
iff. This comprises 644 heads, the
rates being on an average about 20
per cent below those in the general
tariff in France. 1t was found neces-
sary, however, owing to protests from
French agrarian interests to except
from this minimum list about "a ar
tlcles, chiefly agricultural products.
The French ministry was obliged to
pay heed to this sentiment and in
turn NJ. Cambon made the exceptions
a condition of closing this treaty. 1t
was on this point that the negotiations
were in doubt for several days and
It was only by compromising on the ex-
tent of the exceptions that an agree
ment was made possible. AS first pre-
sented the exceptions numbered IL,
but some of these were classes includ-
ing a number of distinct items, so that
in all there were large number of ex-
ceptions. AS finally determined upon,
these exceptions were narrowed down
to "a. and outside of them the United
States gets the benefit of all the re-
ductions on the French minimum list.
Besides the reduction given to this
country. the treaty is important in
continuing a number of minimum rates
which would have been abolished If the
treaty had not been concluded. The
most important of these articles are
petroleum and mineral oils. At pres
sent these oils enter France on the
minimum rate, but had this treaty
failed a rate would have been imposed
making a difference OF duty amount
ing to about s5,OOOOOO 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. The same is true of copper,
rubber and many classes of machinery.
France secures important conces-
sions on over 100 Of the chief products
sent by France to this country. The
Dingley law allows not to exceed 20 per
cent reduction as a basis of reciproci-
ty but the full 20 per cent is not al
lowed on all the articles covered by the
treaty. On some of them the reduction
Is per cent, on others 10. on others 10
and up to 20 per cent. The list would
have been larger, and the percentage
of reduction greater in some cases had
1t not been for the reluctance of Com
missioner Kasson to permit exceptions
from the French minimum list This
was the main cause leading to the
omission of champagne from the list
of important French products includ-
ed in the treaty. While quite desirous
of securing a reduction of duty on this
class of wines the French authorities
were not ready to grant the large num-
Der of reductions asked for as an Off
set for the proposed reduction on this
particular article. AS a result the reg
ular rates will be maintained on spark
ling wines coming 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 Germany. At pres
ent these countries have the minimum
French rate. while the American goods
WIN lew eAceplions nave ndu 10 pay
the maximum rate.
Ambassador Cambon will leave for
Paris in about a week carrying with
him the French draft of the treaty. The
French treaty is the last of the instru-
ments of this kin1 and the treaty work
under the Dlngley act is now brought
to a close. Six treaties have been made,
all save that with France relating to
British West Indies