The record-union., 1899-07-27
Unexpected Opposition Of French to
Its Ratification
Causes a Good Deal Of Surprise In Wash
Iagton Official Circles.
Asserted That the Foreign Govern
ment Has Secured More Ad-
vantages Under the Convention
Than They Had Any Just Rea-
son to Exact at the Beginning OF
the Negotiations.

WASHINGTON, July pa good
deal of surprise has been caused In OIL
fetal circles here by the unexpected op-
position developing in France to the
ratification of the reciprocity treaty
Just negotiated by Mr.. Kasson and NJ
Cambon.
1t is not deemed expedient now to
make public the details of the conVen'
ton, but it can be stated authorlta-
lively that in the opinion OF our ON
cials the French have driven hard
bargain in making the treaty. Ihey
have, it is said. secured more adVan-
tages than they had any just reason 10
expect at the beginning OF the negotla-
tions, and that success was ultimately
obtained is owing to the fact that the
negotiators felt bound to observe the
behest of the President and make
treaty at all hazards.
1t is suspected here that the French
people are not aware OF the actuai
value of the concessions they have op-
tained and there is reason to believe
that when French champagne makers
learn the amount of benefit they are 10
receive the opposition to the CONSUME
nation of the treaty will be at once
transferred from France to the United
States.
The statement made yesterday by M
Del Casse, French Minister for FOR
eign Affairs that the treaty contained
the favored nation clause, is said TO De
misleading to the public, for Wnat II
does contain in that direction IS a spe-
cial provision in the case OF certain
lines of articles of import, that II the
rate of duty is reduced below the nS'
ures stated to any other nation, then
France shall have the same rate. But
this provision is not general, and ap-
plies, as stated, only to certain speclned
articles. 1t is believed that under this
head however, the French champagne
makers will profit for while the treaty
itself does not give them the rate de-
sired. vet they probably may profit by
the low rate just given to the Portu-
guese makers of sparkling wine.
1t is appreciated here that the oppo-
sition in Paris comes from very infiu-
entail quarters. The ''Republique
Francaise" which makes an attack on
the treaty, is directed by M. Meline
former Premier, and one of the most
capable leaders in French politics. In
particular he represents the peaSantry
and the gentleman farmer class, ana
his leadership of an opposition indi-
Gates that the treaty will have a difti-
cult course before it.
A FRENCH CONSUL DISCUSSES
THE NEW TREATY.
NEW YORK, July 26.-Edmond Brue-
Waert. French Consul at New York.
saws of the new reciprocity treaty be-
tween France and the United States:
IT regard it as an excellent thing for
the United States. America was the
only country which did not have the
benefit of .our minimum tariff. AS the
manufacturers are satisfied with
profit of 5 per cent, the difference pe-
tween the maximum and minimum
rates was sufficient to keep the United
States out of the French market
Frances annual Importation OF
manufactured articles is about SZoo,-
COO. 900, and the United States Will get
a good share of this America under-
sells England in cotton goods in emma,
and there is no reason why 1t cannot
do the same in France. 1t will be the
same with other articles.
England Belgium, Germany and
Austria now supply France with ner
imported manufactured articles. The
leading imports are raw cotton, wheat
tobacco. mineral oil, copper and Lead
America sends agricultural implements,
sewing machines, electrical appliances
and pumps.
.There are 642 articles on the dutiable
list of the French tariff, and the treaty
gives the United States the minimum
rate on all except twelve. Germany,
ha OIL countries which
have treaties with France do not enjoy
the minimum rate on these twelve ex-
ceptions. which are chiefly agricultural
nroducts. The average difference be-
tween the French maximum and mini
mum rate is 33 per cent, so that i'm
ports from this country will pay one
third less duty when the treaty goes
into effect.
..There are 463 dutiable items in the
+ar;ff law of the United States and. in
return for her concessions, France VIII
obtain a lower rate in less tnan Ioo OF
them, the average reduction being only
10 per cent. While this seems one-sloed'
It is not so much SO as 1t appears De-
cause American goods have been sent
into France as English goods under the
minimum tariff.
"I do not think that the treaty can go
into effect before next February. II
mtist be ratified both here ana III
France and signed by President Loupet
and President Mckinley Then copies
of the treaty must be exchanged.
This treaty marks new era for the
United States There will eventually
be opposition to American imports in
foreign countries. and it will be wise
for the United States to make treaties
before that opposition becomes TOO
strong. Mr.. Kasson. who negotiated
the treaty for the United States. has
lived much abroad. and I think he
takes broad view of the situation
foreseeing what must happen in the
future.
"France has given all she can give.
because, with her S7.00OOOO.OO0 ma
tional debt. she cannot reduce her tar
III any further We did not get what
we asked by any means. but we OBJ
tained all the United States was will
fn~ "a ufva We rea1fzed that tho troa tv