The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-25

RATHER DIFFICULT ALSO
CONCESSIONS WE'RE MADE BY
BOTH SIDES.
ITS EFFECT UPON THE TWO COUNTRIES
Reciprocity Will Encourage Commerce Betwe II
Them. Had the Treaty Failed, Cot
tn, Now Entering France Free,
Would have been Taxed.

W0u0 nave Deen dxeQ.
Washington, July 2I.-The long pend
ing reciprocity treaty negotiations be-
tween the United States and France
were brought to Il 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 provisions of the
Ilingley law, and the only one affecting
the trade with large commercial ma
ton. The negotiations We're marked
by rather sharp and long continued dis
cussions, which continued up to the
time the signatures were placed on the
document. In the end spirit of com
promise prevailed and each side yielded
something. AS IL whole both sides ex-
press satisfaction with the general re-
suits secured, for while the compromise
necessitated some minor sacrifices the
general effect of the treaty will en-
courage commerce between the two coun-
tries.
The concessions granted by France
embraced most of the articles in what is
known as the French minimum tariff.
This comprises 6i4 heads. the rates
being 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
.alsf.1 inf ta
minimum list about twcnty-four articles,
chiefly agricultural products. The
French Ministry was obliged to pay
heed to this sentiment, and in turn NJ.
Cambon made the exceptions condi-
tion of closing the treaty. 1t was Oh
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.
Beside the reduction given to this
country the treaty is important i'll con
tinuing Il 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 minimum
rate, but had today's treaty failed ii
rate would have been imposed, making
II difference Of duty amounting to about
SJ.OG00OO. 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 Il 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 pro
duets sent by France to this country
The Dinglcy law allows not to exceed
~ per cent. reduction as a basis of re
ciprocity. but the full~2O per cent. is not
allowed OH all the articles covered by
the treaty. On some Of them the rcduc
ton is . per cent, on others, III and
others ID and up to 20 per cent. The
list would have been larger, and the
percentage Of reductions greater in som,
cases had ii not been for the rcluctanc,
Of Commissioner kasson to permit eX
ccptioIls from the French minimum list
This was the main cause leading III
to the omission OF champagne from the
list Of important French products in
Guided in the treaty. While quite de
sirous of securing ii reduction of duty on
this class Of wines the French authors
ties were not ready to grant the large
number Of reductions asked as an olfscI
for the proposed reduction on this par
ticular article. As Il result the regular
rates will be maintained on sparkling
wines coming to this country. The
treaty will result i'll placing the products
Of the United States on the same BASH
in France as products of Great Britain
and Germany. At present these coun
tries have the minimum French rate
while the American goods with few cX
ceptions have had to pay the maximum
rate.
The negotiations ended today were be
gun nearly two years ago by NJ
Patcnotre, then Ambassador from
France.
The French treaty is the last of the
instruments of this kind and the treaty
work under the Dinglcy act is now
brought to a close. Six treaties have
been made. all save that with France
relating to British West India Islands.