The record-union., 1899-07-25
FRANCE AND AMERICA.
The Long Pending Reciprocity
Finally Ended.


Z WASHINGTON, July 24.-The long
pending reciprocity treaty negotiations
between the United States and France
We're brought to a successful close at
the State Department late this after
noon, when ambassador Cambon, in
behalf of France, and Commissioner
Kasson, in behalf of the United States,
affixed their signatures to the reci-
procity treaty. 1t is by far the most
important treaty concluded under the
reciprocity provisions of the Dingley
law and the only one affecting the
trade with large commercial nation.
The negotiations were marked by
rather sharp and long continued dis
cussions, which continued to the time
the signatures were placed on the doc
ument. In the end spirit of compro-
mise prevailed, and each side yielded
something.
AS whole both sides express salts
faction with the general result Sc
cured, for while the compromise ne
cessitated some minor sacrifices, the
general effect of the treaty will encour-
age commerce between the two coun-
tries. The concessions granted by
in what is known as the French mini
mum tariff. This comprises GA heads,
the rates being on an average about
70 per cent lower than those in the
general tariff of France. 1t was found
necessary, however, owing to protests
from French agrarian interests, to ex-
cept from this minimum list about
twenty-four articles, chiefly agricul-
tural products. The French Ministry
was Obliged to pay heed to this senti-
ment, and in turn M. Cambon made
the exceptions a condition of closing
the treaty.
1t was on this point that the nego-
tiations were in doubt for several days.
and it was only by compromising on
the extent of the exceptions that an
agreement was made possible At first
presented the exceptions numbered
twelve, but some of these were classes,
including a number of distinct items
so that in all there were a large num-
Der of exceptions. AS finally deter
mined upon these exceptions were mar
rowed down to twenty-four, and out
side 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 if the
treaty had not been concluded The
most important of these articles are
petroleum and mineral oils At present
these oils enter France on the mini
mum rate, but had to-day's treaty
failed a rate would have been imposed
making difference Of duty amounting
to about $5,O00,OOO.
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 American cotton. The same is
true of copper, rubber and many
classes of machinery France secures
important concessions in over 100 of
the chiefs products sent by France to
this country.
The Dingley Act allows not to exceed
20 per cent. reduction as a basis of
reciprocity, but the full 20 per cent. is
not allowed on all the articles covered
by the treaty. On some of them the,
reduction is . per cent, on others ~
and 15 per cent, and up to 20 per
cent. The list would have been larger
and the percentage OF reduction greater
in some cases had it not been for the
reluctance of Commissioner Kasson 10
permit exceptions from the French
minimum list. This was the main
cause leading to the omission of cham
pagne from the list of important
French products included in the treaty.
While. quite desirous of securing
reduction of duty on this class OF
wines. the sFernch authorities we've not
ready to grant the large number of
reductions as an offset for the pro-
posed reduction of this particular arti-
Gle. AS result the regular rates will
be maintained on sparkling wines COM
ing to this country
The treaty will result in placing the