New-York tribune., 1899-07-25
NEW TREATY WITH FRANCE
NpeoTIATIoNs BROUGHT TO A SUCCESS
Full CLOSE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
AMBASSADOR cAMBoN SIGNED THE DOCUMENT
FOR FRANCE AND COMMISSIONER KAssoN
FOR rHD UNITED STATES.

FOR THE UNITED STATES.
washington, July 24.-The long pending reel
nrocity treaty negotiations between the United
states and France were brought TO a successful
close al the State Department late this after
noon. when Ambassador Cambon, In behalf Of
Ftanoe and Commissioner Kasson, In behalf OF
the United States affixed their signatures to the
reciprocity treaty. II is by far the most
important treaty concluded under the reci-
procity provisions Of the Dingley law and
the only one affecting the trade with a large
commercial nation. The negotiations were
marked by rather sharp and long continued dis
cussions. which continued UP to the time the
signatures placed the document In
the end spirit OF compromise prevailed. and
each side yielded something As a whole. both
sides express satisfaction with the general
suits secured. for while the compromise neces-
STATED some minor sacrifices. the general effect
Of the treaty will encourage commerce between
The two countries.
The concessions granted by France embraced
most OF the articles in what is known as the
French minimum tariff This comprises GA
heads the rates being average about 20
per cent below those IN the general tariff Of
France II found necessary. however,
OWING to protests from French agrarian inter
ests TO except from this minimum list about
twenty four articles chiefly agricultural prod
ucts The French Ministry was obliged 70 pay
heed 70 this sentiment, and In turn NJ Cambon
made the exceptions a condition OF closing the
treaty. II was on this point that the neeotia-
tions were in doubt for several days. and II was
only by compromising the extent Of the ex-
oeptions that an agreement was made possible
As first presented. the exceptions numbered
- 49, cil
a number of distinct items that in all there
was a large number Of exceptions AS finally
determined upon these exceptions were mar
vowed down 70 twenty-four and outside Of them
the United States gets the benefit Of all the re-
auctions on the French minimum list Besides
the reduction given TO this country. the treaty
e inlportant in continuing a number OF mini
r,urn rates which would have been abolished II
The treaty. had not been concluded. The most
irnportant Of these articles are petroleum ana
mineral oils At present these oils enter France
on the minimum rate bat had to-day's treaty
failed a rate would have been Imposed making
a difference Of duty amounting TO about so'V"'-
600 The same is true as 10 cotton Whlch Is one
OF the chief articles Of shipment from the United
States 10 France. and enters duty Tee' hau
the treaty failed heavy duty would nave oeen
inposed upon American cotton The sathe 10
true Of copper, rubber and many Glasses oI
,,ochirarv France secures important conces-
,iors an cver one hundred Of the chief products
SAINT hv France to this country. The Dingley
law allows not to exceed 20 per cent reduction
as a basis Of reciprocity. but the fuu ~ per
cent is not allowed all the articles covered
=, ,,,, treaty. On some OF them the reduction
is : per cent on others 10, on others 10 and up
- 20 ner cent. The list would have been larger
ian
cases had il not been for the reluctance OF Com
missioner Kasson 10 permit exceptions rom ene
French minimum list. This was the main
cause leading 70 the omission Of champagne
from the list Of important French products IN
cluded IN the treaty. While quite desrous Of
securing reduction Of duty on this class or
,rfnes the French authorities were not ready 10
grant the large number Of reductions asked Tor
as an offset for the proposed reduction on this
IA rtc,Ilar article AS result, the regular rates
viii be maintained on sparkling wines coming
70 this country
The treaty will result in placing the products
OF the United States on the same basis IN france
as products Of Great Britain and Germany. Az
present these countries nave the minimum
French rate. while the American goods with rev
exceptions have had TO pay the maximum rate
The negotiations ended to-day were pes III
nearly two years ago by NJ Patenotre theh
Ambassador from France. When he was sue
ceeded by NJ Cambon the latter took up the
negotiations and for time there was proepecI
Of concluding a treaty but delays occurred ana
in order 10 close the matter the French autnorl-
ties sent from Paris NJ. Charpentlere' Tade
expert. as special reciprocity delegate.
Ambassador Canbon will leave for Paris In
about a week carrying with him the French
draft Of the treaty.
The French treaty is the last OF the instru-
ments Of this kind, and the treaty work unGer
The Dinglev act is now brought 10 a close. six
treaties have been made. an save that with
France relating TO the British West Indies