The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-07-29
TRADE TREATY WITH
FRANCE IS SIGNED
Both Sides Make Concessions and
a Satisfactory Agreement
Is Reached.
cAMBoH AND kAssoR SIGN PACT
Is the Most Important Reciprocity
Treaty Negotiated Undcrt the
Provisions of the
Dingicy Aca.

Washington, July 26.-The long
standing reciprocity treaty negotia.
tons between the United States and
France We're brought to a successful
close at the state department late yes.
terday afternoon when Ambassador
Gambon, in behalf of France, and Com.
missioner Kasson, in behalf of tho
United States, affixed their signaturea
to the reciprocity treaty. 1t is by far
the most important treaty concluded
under the reciprocity provisions of the
Dingley law, and the only one affecting
trade with u large commercial nation.
The negotiations were marked by
rather sharp and lo~ng-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 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 by
France embraced most of the articles
imported under what is known
as the French minimum tar
if. This comprises GA heads,
the rates being On an average of about
20 per cent below those III 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 twenty
four articles, chiefly agricultural prod.
ucts. The French ministry was obliged
to pay heed to this sentiment, and in
turn Mr.. Cambon made the exceptions
a condition of closing the treaty. 1t
was On this point that negotiations
were in doubt for several days, and IL
was only by compromising on the eX,
tent Of the exceptions that an agrees
ment was made possible. AS first pre-
sented, tn e exceptions numbered IL,
but some of these were classes, includ!
ing q number of distinct items. In all
there were q large number of excep,
tions. AS finally agreed upon these e%1
ceptions were narrowed down to t"en-
ty-four, and outside of them the Unit
ed States gets the benefit of all the re.
auctions 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 1t
the treaty had not been concluded.
The most important of these articles
are petroleum and mineral oils, cot
ton, copper, silver and many classes OF
machinery. France secures important
concessions on over 100 of the CHIEF
products sent by France to this coun-
try. The Dingley Law allows not to eN-
coed 20 per cent reduction as a basis OF
reciprocity, but the full per cent is not
allowed on all the articles covered by
the treaty.
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, with few exceptions, have had
to pay the maximum rate.
The negotiations just ended were be-
gun nearly two years ago by NJ. Pate
notre, then ambassador from France!i
When he was succeeded by NJ. Cambon,
the latter took up the negotiations and
for a time there was a prospect of IN
GLIDING a treaty. but delays occurred
and in order to close the matter the
French authorities sent from Paris NJ.
CharPenuef, Il trace expert, as u sPe-
cial reciprocity delegate.
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
instruments of this kind, and the
treaty work under the .Dinglcy act is
now brought to a close. Six treaties
have been made, all save that with
France relating to the British West
indies.