Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-25

WITH France
Negotiations Have Been Brought
10 a Successful Close.
AND TIE TREATY SIGNED
Concessions Granted by Franco Em-
brace Most Articles In French Miu-
finun Thrift the Rate being About
Twenty Fer Gent. IlciOw general
Tariff of Tint Country What IL
Conceded by the United Stntcs.
tBy Telegraph TO virsinian-pilot)

ti'y lc!cSrann 10 NlrS.nian- PliOt.)
Washington. d. c., July 2i.-The
long pending reciprocity treaty negotia-
lions between the United States and
France were brought TO II successful
close at 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 prOViS-
ions of the Dinsley law and the only
one affecting the trade with II large
commercial nation. The negotiations
were marked by rather sharp and long
continued discussions, which continued
UP 10 the time the signatures were
placed on the document. In the end a
spirit Of compromise prevailed and each
side yielded something. AS a whole both
sides express satisfaction with the gen
cral results secured for while the
compromise necessitated some minor
sacrifices the general effect of the
treaty Will encourage commerce be-
tween the two countries.
CONCESSIONS FROM FRANCE.
Tho concessions granted by France
embraced most of the articles in what
is known as the French minimum tar
If. This comprises 64i heads, the rates
below those in the general tariff of
France. 1t was found necessary. how
ever. owing to protests from French
agrarian interests to except from this
minimum list about "a articles. chiefly
agricultural products. The French min
istry was obliged TO pay heed to this
sentiment and in turn NJ. Cambon made
the exceptions a condition of closing
the treaty. 1t was on this point that
the negotiations were in doubt for sevc-
II =. L.,
missing on the extent of the exceptions
that an agreement was made posi-
bic.
AN IMPORTANT TREATY.
Beside the reductions given to this
country the treaty is important in con-
tinuing Il number of minimum rates.
which would have been abolished il 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 minimum
rate. but had to-days treaty failed a
rate would have been imposed. making
difference of duty amounting to about
$1,000. 600. The same is true as to cot
ton. which Is one of the chief articles OF
shipment from the United States to
France. and enters duty free. Had the
treaty failed n heavy duty would have
been imposed upon American cotton.
many classes OF machinery.
CONCESSIONS TO FRANCE.
France secures important concessions
on over one hundred OF the chief pro-
-dllclS- sent-hN- E:anca-to this-caun1rY
The Dingley law allows not to exceed
20 per cent. reduction as q 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 re-
duction is five per cent, on others ten.
and others 10 and up to 20 per cent
The list would have been larger. and
the per centage of reduction greater in
some cases had it not been for the re-
luctance of Commissioner KaSSon to
permit exceptions from the French
minimum list. This was the main cause
leading up To the omission of cham
payne from the list OF important
French products included in the treaty
While quite DESTROYS of securing re-
duction of duty on this class of wines
the French authorities were not ready
TO grant the large number of reduc-
tons asked rs an offset for the pro-
posed reduction on this particular ar
ticle. AS a result the regular rates will
be maintained on the sparkling wines
coming to this country.
EQUALITY WITH OTHER COUN-
TRIES.
Fhe treaty Will result in placing the
products of the United States on the
same basis in France as products or
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 ended to-day were
begun nearly two years ago by NJ.
Patenotre. then Ambassador from
France.
TREATY WORK CLOSED.
The French treaty is the last of the
instruments of this kind and the
treaty work under the Dingley act is
now brought to close. Six treaties
have been made. all, save that with
France. relating to British West India
islands.