The age-herald., 1899-07-25
A SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE
Prevailed, and Both Nations Made In-
 p0rtant Concessions.
ALL EXPRESS ENTIRE SATISFACTION
Will Place Products of United States on Same Basis in France as Those of Great Bri-
 tain and Germany

Washington, July A-The long pending reciprocity treaty negotiations between the United States and France were brought 10 a successful close at the state department late this evening when Ambassador Cam bon, in behalf of France, and Commissioner Kasson on behalf of the United States af- fixed their signatures to the reciprocity treaty.
 It is believed by far the most important treaty concluded under the reciprocity pro- visions of the Dingey law and the only one affecting the trade with large commer- cial nation. The negotiations were marked by rather sharp and long continued discus sions which continued up to the time the signatures were placed on the document. In the end spirit of compromise prevailed and each side yielded something.
 Both Sides Satisfied
 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 between the .wo countries. The concessions granted by France embraced most of the articles Ill what is known the French minimum tariff. This compromises GA heads. the rates being average about twenty per cent. below those in the general tariff of France. It was found necessary how eyer owing to protests from French agra rian interests, to except from this mini mum list about 24 articles, chiefly agricul- tural products. The French ministry was obliged to pay heed to this sentiment and in turn M. Canbon made the exceptions a condition of closing the treaty.
 It was on this point that riie negotiations were in doubt for several days, and it was only oy compromising on the extent of the exceptions that an agreement was made possible. As first presented the exceptions numbered twelve, but some of these were classes including number Of distinct con yeHtionS, that in all there Were a Iarge number of exceptions
 As finally determined upon these eXcep- tions were narrowed down to twenty-teur, and outside of them the United States gets the benefit of all the reductions on the Frenca minimum list. Besides tho reduc- tlcnS given to this country, the treaty is important in continuing number of mini mum rates, which would have been aloo!- ished 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, a rate would have been imposed making a diff ference of duty amounting to about S5,- eU.0OO The same is true as to cotton. which is one of the ehief articles of ship ment from the United States 10 France, and enters duty free. Had the treaty faueJ heavy duty would have been imposed upon American cotton. The same is true or coppet, rubber and many classes of machinery.
 France Gets Important Concessions
 France secures important concessions on over 100 of the chief products sent by france To this country. The Dingley law allows not to exceed twenty Der cent re- duction as a basis of reciprocity, but the full twenty per cent is not allowed on all the articles covered by the treaty. On some or them the reduction is five per cent and others ten, others fifteen, and up to twen- ty per cent The list would have been larger and the percentage of reduction greater in some cases had it not been for the reluctance of Commissioner kasson to permit exceptions from the French mini mum list. This was the main cause lead- ing to the omission of champagne from the list of important French products included in the treaty. While quite desirous of se- curing reduction of duty on this class of wines, the French commissioners were not ready to grant the large number of reduc- tons asked as an offset to the proposed reduction on this particular article. As a result, the regular rates will be maintained on sparkling wines coming to this country
 The treaty will result in placing the pro- ducts of the United States on the same basis in France as products of Great Bri- tain and Germany. At present these coun- soeeoe see ee oe