New-York tribune., 1902-03-21
PARCELS POST WITH FRANCE.
THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT FORMALLY
ASKS THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO
OPEN NEGOTIATIONS.
IBY TELEGRAPH 70 THE TRIBUNE. ]

Washington, March 2O-Through Ambassador
Camhon the French Government has formally re-
quested the State Department open negotiations
for a parcels post convention with France similar
to the In force between the United States
and Germany. The opinion is expressed by the
French authorities that this government disregar9s
provisions of the favored nation clause in its com
mercial treaties by permitting Germany 10 OK
change packages with this country at minimum
rates in preference 10 other nations Germany is
the only power the European Continent which
has been able to conclude parcels post agreement
with the United States although other nations
have made some efforts through diplomatic chan
nels to do Lord Pamcefote went 70 the Post
office Department several times in Mr.. Smiths ad-
mnistraton to confer with officials with respect
TO parcels post convention with Great Britain,
but finally abandoned all hope Of effecting the
agreement. From his point Of view the privileges
Of parcels post convention should he extended TO
Great Britain for the same reasons that such an
agreemen, had been made with Germany.
In his conversation with Secretary Hay Amhas-
sador Cambon endeavored 10 show that the condi-
Jious which would govern postal convention with
France were analogous with those existing in Ger
many. Secretary Hay referred N. Cambon's re
quest to the Postmaster General sending with it
special On the receipt of this correspondence
at the Posofiice Department the discussion Of the
governments policy relative to parcels post con-
veGtions revived.
Al present there are twenty-one postal conven-
tous between the United States and other coun-
America and two more british colonial govern
ments. Statistics show thet the preponderance o.
FacFages exchanged by this country and other ma
tiors with which It has parcels post agreements
favor" the United States. except in the of Ger
many. Tie smaller nations hcing importers Of
American goods. the existence of a convention pro
v!dinC 70" reciprocal agreement to control the
exchange Of merchandise l. decidedly advan-
taEeous n American commerce. Iittl" more than
two years ago a convention for the reciprocal oX-
y ~ -g.l, Z.
being the intention of the officials then to expert
ment for the purpose of ascertainnE what ad-
vantageG could be gained by following a general
policy of international parcels post agreements.
In view OF Germanys friendly attitude to this
government particularly in connection with postal
affairs. il decided that the test convention
should be made with the government of that na-
uon Germany has maintained for several years
past reciprocal post service with this country.
which aids materially in the expedition of the mails
or the two countries. France and England have
Iaj ItIgot9 20 eSlaolTh sea post service pleading
otlouS EXCUSES. In me present sea post service
there are two Americans and Germans, en-
ana distribute, in the proper bags all mail for
different sectors of either country. the case
sentatives say that as the London foreign mails
have 10 he carried overland from Queenstown II
Is possible ana desirable TO have the mails
employed on the English mail trains But officials
this "trip does not afford sufficient opportunity TO
English mails received al New-York in such
shape mat II IS necessary 10 redSSOrt them on this
side AT the expense OF the United States Govern
nent. Tho French Government also says that
Germany Is compelled 10 land her mail a dis
tributing port where there is no chance for hand
ling II. and that the post service has peculiar
advantages for her. Whatever the claims. il is
serted that the convention with Germany will not
be cancelled under any circumstances, nor will this
government enter into any new conventions for
time
Officials of the POstOffiCe Department the pres
eut time are by means of mind about the
adoption Of reciprocal international postal agree
ments. Some officials regard these agreements
with foreign countries as necessary for carrying
out strictly any reciprocal trade policy But
adopted, officials contend that the provisions
common in such conventions should first be applied
IN this country II is argued that a merchant in
san Francisco may send "A package weighing less
than twelve pounds from that city Germany
the minimum rate Of 70 cents n pound but In ship
ping from San Francisco 10 Ncw-NOrk he must
employ express company whose charges
much higher than the rates Of the United States
postal service. officials say, however that the
system must be determined wholly by Congress-
So far as economy Is concerned, the parcels post
convention with Germany has proved a source OF
actual loss to this government, and TO
this effect has been given to all other foreign gov
ernments inquirinG about the result OF the expert
ment with Germany. In Germany. which includes
an area much smaller than that Of the United
States. il Is much cheaper transport mail than
In America Herein lie the advantages which the
similar advantages are now sought by the govern
ments of other countries from which there Is like
wise Preponderance Of parcels to exchange.