The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-07-25
The Only Treaty Affecting Our Trade
with a Large Commercial Nation,
THEY AGREED ON A COMPROMISE
The Treaty Contains Number of Min
imum Rates which Would Have
Been Abolished Had the Treaty
Not Been Concludcd-Many
Articles of Export are
Affected by Change.

WASHINGTON. July A-The long
pending reciprocity treaty negotiations
between the United States and France
were brought to a successful close ~
the state Department late this afternoon
when Ambassador Cambon in behalf Of
France. and Commissioner Kasson. In
behalf Of the United States affixed their
signatures to the treaty. 1t IS by far the
most important treaty concluded under
the reciprocity provisions Of the Dineiey
law and the only one affecting the uaue
with large commercial nation.
MUCH DISCUSSION.
The negotiations were marked ny
rather sharp and long continued discus
sions. which continued up 20 the tune inc
signatures were placed on the cocument.
In the end "a spirit of compromise pre-
vailed and each side yielded something
As a whole both sides express satlSIa.-
tion with the general results secured,
for while the compromise necesslta'eu
some minor sacrifices the general euect
of the treaty will encourage commerce
between the two countries.
The concessions granted by France en-
braced most of the articles I'm what is
known as the French minimum tarin.
This comprises 6lf heads. the rates being
ON an average about % per cent peioN
those I'm the general tariff Of France. 1T
was found necessary. however. owing 10
nroteets from French Agrarian interests
IN ovcept from this minimum list about
twentv-four articles chiefly agricultural
products. The French ministry was
Obliged 10 pay heed 10 this sentiment
and I'm turn ST. Camhon made the eKcep-
tions condition of closing tho treaty.
10 was on this point mat me nesotia.
tious were in doubt for several days ana
it was only by compromising on tho eH-
tent OF the exceptions that an agreement
WAS made possible
LOWER RATES.
Beside the reductions given 70 this
country the treaty IS important I'm con-
tinuing number Of minimum rates
which would have abolished had the
treaty not been concluded. The most
important Of these articles are petroleum
ana mineral oils. At present these OILS
enter France ON the minimum rate nut
had to-dav's treaty failed rate would
have been imposed making "a difference
of duty amounting to about S'"o"p'
The same ls true as 90 cotton Whlch y
one of the chief articles OF shipment
from the United States to France ana
enters duty fyec. Had the treaty iaheo
a heavy duty would have been imposed
upou American cotton The same Is true
of copper rubber, and many classes oh
machinery
France secures important concessions
an over one hundred of the chief pro-
ducts sent by France TO this country.
The Dingley law allows not 90 exceed -
per cent. reduction as a basis of reel
urocitv. but the FUN 20 per cent IS not
allowed on an the articles covered by
the treaty. ON some Of them the reduc-
ton is per cent. ON other lo ana DINERS
15 and up TO ~ per cent. The list would
have been larger and the percentage "i
reduction greater I'm some cases had IL not
been for the reluctance OF Commissioner
Kass0u TO permit exceptions from th'
French minimum list. This was the main
cause leading mp 20 the omission OF cham-
payne from the list of important fr nch
products included in the treaty While
quite desirous of securing a reduction or
duty ON this class of wines. the french
authorities were not ready 10 grant th'
large number OF reductions asked aS am
offset for the proposed reduction on thIs
particular article. As "a result. the regu-
lar rates will be maintained ON sparkling
wines coming to this country
ANOTHER BASIS
The treaty will result in placing the pro
ducts of the United States on the same
basis I'm France as products OF Great
Britain and Germany Al preseT these
countries have the minimum French rate.
while the American goods. with few eN-
ceptions. have had to pay the maximum
rate.
The negotiations ended to-day We're be-
gun nearly two years ago by ". Pate
notre then Ambassador from France.
The French treaty is the last of the
Instruments of this kind and the treaty
now working under the Dinelcy act is
brought 20 e. close. Six treaties have been
made. an. save that with France. relating
10 British West India Islands