The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-07-25
RECIPROCITY TREATY SIGNED
NEGOTI1TTONS BETWEEN UNITED
STATES and FRANCE CLOSED.

The Treaty VIII Result In Placing tn
Products of This Country on sam,
Basis In France as Those of Great Brit
ain and dGermany-One G O f the Most I'm.
portant Treaties Negotiated Durin.
This Admit N tratiOn
Washington, D. c., July 24.-The Ions
pending reciprocity treaty negotiations
between the United States and Franc,
We're brought to a successful close a
the state department late this Afternoon
when Ambassador Cambon, in behalf OF
France, and Commissioner Kasson. ir
behalf of the United States, affixed
their signatul - to the reciprocity
treaty. 1t is by far the most important
treaty concluded under the reciprocity
provision of the Dingley law and the
only one affecting the trad with a
large commercial nation. The negotia-
tons were marked by rather sharp and
long continued discussion, which con-
tlnued up to the time the signatu
were placed on the document. In the
end 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 necessitated some
minor sacrifices, the general effect of
the treaty will encourage commerce be-
tween the two countries
The concessions ororfo1 b,r Eropoa
embraced most of the articles in what
is known as the French minimum tariff
This comprises GA heads, the rates be-
ing on an average about 20 per cent.
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 twenty -four arti-
cles chiefly agricultural products. The
French ministry was obliged to pay
heed to this sentiment and in turn M
Cambon made the exceptions condi-
ton Of closing the treaty. 1t was on
this point that the negotiations were in
doubt for several days, and it was only
by compromising on the extent of the
exceptions that an agreement was made
'possible. AS first presented the excep-
tions numbered twelve. but some of
these were classed, including a number
of distinct items, so that in all there
was a large number of exceptions. AS
finally determined upon, these eXcep-
tions were narrowed down to twenty
four and outside of them the United
States gets the benefits of all the reduc-
tions on tf1e' French minimum list.
Besides the reduction given to this
country, the treaty is important in con-
tinuing on number of articles mini
mum rates which would have been abol-
ished if the treaty had not been con-
cluded The most important 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 about $4,000, 900. 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 on over one hundred of the
chief products sent by France to this
country The Dingley law allows not to
exceed 90 per cent, reduction as a
ba sis of reciprocity, but the full 20 per
cent. is not allowed on all the articles
covered by the treaty
On most the reduction is five per cent, |
on others ten, on others fifteen ana up |
~ twenty per cent The list would have
41,o ,tp ~ o.
duction greater in some cases had 1t not
been for the reluctance of Commission
or Kasson to permit exceptions from the
French minimum list. This was the
main cause leading to the omission OF
champagne from the list OF important
French products included in the treaty.
while desirous of securing reduction
Of duty on this class of wines, the
French authorities were not ready to
grant the large number of reductions
a sl<ed for as an offset for the proposed
reduction on this particular article. AS
n result the regular rates will be main
tanned on sparkling wines coming to this
THE treaty will result in placing the
nroducts 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 rates, 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 M. Pa
+renotre. then ambassador from France.
When he was succeeded by M. Cambon
The latter took up the negotiations and
.or a time there was prospect OF con-
,luding a treaty, but delays occurred
md in order to close the matter the
French authorities sent from Paris M
a trade expert, as special
delegate. Ambassador Cam
ION will leave for Paris in about week,
carrying with him the draft of the trea-
". The French treaty is the last of the
Instruments of this kind, and the treaty
work. under the Dingley act is now
to a close. Six treaties have
,een made, all save that with France
'elating to British West Indies. Il