New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-11

The coal question which has already caused some
anxiety in Great Britain. result OF the Trans
vaaI war. is also agitated n France whose facto-
ries are threatened with dearrh OF coal since none
can be expected from England for some time The
situation is still more dangerously complicated IN
France BY the strike which has occurred al -.
Erienne and in other coal regions Of the country.
Fortunately. a recent dispatch reports that the
strike has ended thanks 10 the Government ar
btratiOn and 10 the spirit OF concession displayed
by the employees and employers Nevertheless
high rates will prevail for Goa! for some time 20
come and chambers Of commerce. in particular
that OF Lyons have decided 10 request the Minis
tf u On farlin ga sb91I - borfsS3 i me h GU
resolved also 10 ask the Minister OF Public Works
MS influence IN order TO obtain lower rates
Of transportation for coal from the eastern rail-
roads IN France. The adoption OF these TWO meas
ur-s would certainly improve the present embar-
rassed situation OF French nuta curing industry
The Custom House duty on foreign coal Is p cents
lyH 80 - ~ - - --i--E ian ~ -
million tons Importation OF foreign coal repre-
ton AS 10 the request for the lowering OF trans
portati0n rates, the Chamber OF Commerce Of Lyons
Issn+ 10 lower them g-eatv Tor ira 1snr-t =.
long distances favoring exporta zion or French coal
Thus foreign industry. especially that which buys
than that paid BY French Manufacturers SCoaI
transportation costs less from the St Etenne mines
TO Marseilles than TO Lyons. which Is much nearer.
From January the proportion OF custom house
duties in Brazil which must be paid in gold has
been NXed az 10 per cent instead OF 10 formerly.
Moreover. all goods destined for Brazil viii have
from the same date. January l. 10 be accompanied
BY consular invoices. From the same day also the
minimum tariff is applied. A. 70 the maximum
tarin its application Il postponed 10 March I on
account Of certain diplomatic discussions. Il Is
therefore incorrect 70 state has been done in a
cable dispatch from Rio Janeiro, dated January :
that several Of the foreign Ministers have pro
tested" against the dIferential duties Nothing
been decided in absolute manner. and friendly
discussion going instead Of protest having
been entered against the duties The question
OF a lowering Of duties in France on the Conses
brought from Brazil Is Yet decided BY the
French Chamber and that decision VIII exercise
great influence over the application OF the Brazilian
maximum tariff IN March. Meanwhile they
afraid in Hayti that the reduction OF the French
duties on Brazilian cohees. already approved by
Chamber. The Haytian papers have complained
recently OF the III luck Of their country, which sent
almost all It's cofees TO Eavre. where good prices
we're obtained and where the coffee from Brazil was
prevented from becoming dangerous competitor
BY being handicapped by a high custom house duty
Regarding the influences which the Transvasl war
nav have tho British possessions the Upper
Nile and the relations between the Anglo-ESyptians
and Menelik. the Abyssinan ruler. 10 interesting
20 note the progress made in the building OF The
Frauco-A byssinlan railroad Djboutel-E tarrar The
work advances pdly. and locomotives nave Drawn
heavy trucks loaded with the materials necessary
70 the construction ~ the road further gp n TIE
mountain The roadbed has been made IoE a as
lance Of ntLy kilometres beyond the V,aauct OF
Hou-HoA The railroad VIII soon De nns1ed up 20
the HarrAxt whence Il win seals the EsnioplAn
hsiEhts 70 ths capital q Abyssinia. Aaa~ Aoee~-