Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-07-27
NEW TREATY.
France Now Enjoys New
Trade Relations With the
United States.
The MOST IMPORTANT MADE
Under tho Reciprocity Provisions OF the
Dingley Law-Each Side Makes Com.
promises In tho Agreement-United
states on an Equality with Eng
land and Germany.

Washington, July 24.-The long pending
reciprocity treaty negotiations between tie
Unit ed States and France were brought to
a successful close at the state depart
ment late this afternoon when Ambassa-
dor Cambon in behalf of France and
Commissioner Kasson in behalf of the
United States affixed their signatures 10
the reciprocity treaty 1t Is by far the
most important treaty concluded under
the reciprocity provisions of the Dngley
law and the only one affecting the trade
with a large commercial nation. The ne
gotiations were marked by rather sharp
and long continued discussions which con-
tnued up to 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 general
results secured, for while the compromise
necesstated some minor sacrifices the gem
eral effect of the treaty Will encourage
commerce between the two countries.
The concessions granted by France en-
hraced most of the articles in what Is
known as the French minimum tariff
This comprises GA heads, the rates being
on an average of about 20 per cent. below
those in the general tariff on France. 1t
was found necessary, however owing 10
protests from French agrarian interests
to except from this minimum list about q
articles chiefly agricultural products. The
French ministry was obliged to pay heed
to this sentiment and in turn NJ. Cam
bon made the exceptions condition OF
closing the treaty. 1t was on this point
that the negotiations were In DOUBT for
several days, and it was only bycompromis-
ing to the extent of the exceptions that
an agreement was made possible. AS first
presented the exceptions numbered II, but
some of these were classes including a
number of distinct items, so that in all
there were a large number of exceptions.
As finally determined upon, these eXcep-
lions were narrowed down to "a and outside
of them the United States get the benefit
of all the reductions on the French mini
mum list.
Besides the reduction given to this
country, the treaty is important in COIL
! tinuinR number of minimum rates which
would have been abolished If the treaty
had not been concluded. The most i'm
portant of these articles are petroleum
and mineral oils At present these oils
enter France on the minimum rate but
had to-day's treaty failed a rate would
have been imposed making a difference OF
duty amounting to bout ST, ono. 600. The sa m,
is true as to cotton, which Is one of the
chief articles of shipment from the United
States to France and enters duty free
| The same is true of copper, rubber ans
many classes of machinery
France secures important concessions or
over one hundred of the chief products
sent by France to this country. TIL,
| Dingley law allows not to exceed 20 pei
cent. reduction as a basis OF reciprocity
but the full 20 per cent. is not allowed or
all the articles covered by the treaty. Or
some of them the reduction Is ) per cent.
on others 10; on others IL, and up to q
per cent. The list would have been larger
, and the percentage of reduction greater IT
some cases had it not been for the re
| luctance of Commissioner kasson to per
nit exceptions from the minimum list
| This was the main cause leading to thf
omission of champagne from :he list o
| important French products included In tn,
treaty. While quite DESTROYS OF securns
a reduction Of duty on this class Of wines
the French authorities were not ready Il
grant the large number of reductions ask
! ed for as an offset for the proposed re
drction on this particular article AS :
result the regular rates will be maintain
ed on sparkling wines coming to thi!
country.
The treaty will result in placing th
products of the United States on the san
basis in France as products of Great Brit
ain and Germany. At present these coun
tries have the minimum French rate Will
tho American goods with sew exceptions
have had to roy the maximum rate
Amba@ ador Cambon will leave for Pari
in about a week, carrying With him tn
French draft of the treaty.
The French treaty is the last of the in
stIuments of this kind and the treat,
, work under tho Dingley act is nov
brought to a close Six treaties have bee
, made, all save that with France relating
to the British West Indies.