The sun., 1907-04-30
TARIFF DISPUTE WITH FRANCE
ALMOST EXACTLY SIMILAR TO
THAT WITH GERMAN,

which Resulted In the Recent Concessions
70 That COuntry-Franco imposed a
Duty ON COttOnseed On As a lHnt
That She Wants similar Concessions.
WASHINGTON. April 2s.-There have been
Developments in the tariff dispute with
France which make it appear that the COM
plant of that Government against the
United States is almost exactly similar to
that which Germany made some time ago
and which resulted in the recent conces-
sions to that country. M. Jusserand, the
French Ambassador. called at the Treasury
Department to-day to talk over the matter
with Secrettry Cortelyou. and in doing so
he acted on rabled instructions from his
Government. Although nostatement could
re obtained after the interview, il is certain
that this Government is on the verge Of a
serious difference of opinion with the French
Government in regard to tariff matters.
The trouble began some time ago when
the French authorities, in the course Of re-
vising their tariff regulations, imposed
duty on oottonseed oil, an exclusive Amer
ican product. II was suspected at the time
that France had become uneasy on account
Of the rumored concessions which the
United States had made to Germany and
that the imposition of duty on cottonseed
oil was intended to be hint to this Govern
ment that similar concessions were wanted
by France.
few days ago a complaint was made
to the United States Government that in
voices OF limoges chinaware from France
had been advanced in value by the appras-
ing officers at New York. The French
chnaware manufacturers made a big fuss
.l,s L. A.
Induced to take up the cudgels in their
behalf. When the customs officers of the
Treasury Department were asked about it
they admitted freely that the invoice value
of certain consignments of limoges ware
had been advanced on the strength of in
formation obtained by the Treasury special
agents and by other agencies that the in
voices had not correctly stated the value
Of the merchandise. It was in continuation
Of this protest that Ambassador Jusserand
called on the Secretary Of the Treasury
to-day. but no details Of his conversation
With the Secretary Of the Treasury could be
obtained.
The first complaints from Germany were
almost exactly like those which have now
come from France. German manufacturers,
backed by boards of trade and other or
ganizations. complained that the proper
basis OF valuing imports from Germany
was not employed by customs officers in
the United States. The matter was pretty
thoroughly threshed out with Leslie NJ.
Shaw, then Secretary Of the Treasury, and
Secretary Shaw maintained that the in
formation upon which the invoice value
# many German imports had been ad-
vanced was perfectly reliable.
The German manufacturers and boards
NJ trade held for one thing that the ap-
praised value OF goods should be the export
price OF goods and not the price of those
goods in the markets of Germany. The
home market price was higher than the
export price. Just as many lines of American
goods are sold cheaper in Europe than
they are in the United States. The Treas
ury Department under Secretary Shaw
would not concede this point. even after il
appeared certain that Germany's maximum
iaTin duties would be imposed upon Ameri-
can imports In Germany. Subsequently the
time when the maximum tariff Of Germany
would be put in force against the United
States was extended for one year and will
expire on June 30 next.
A few days ago. when Baron Speck Won
SteTnburg, the German Ambassador, sailed
for home, he took with him the draft OF a
modus vivendi further extending for one
year from June 30, 1907, the time when the
maximum duties shall be put in force against
american goods entering Germany. That
instrument requires only the approval Of
the Reichstag 70 make it effective. II is
Inspected that France il somewhat exer-
cised over the fact that the modIs vivendi
with Germany was negotiated on the
strength Of certain concessions on the part
Of the United States.
The precise nature OF these concessions
has never been published officially, but il
is believed that one of them is an agree
nent to hold open instead Of closed meetings
NJ the Board Of General Appraisers at New
York, a condition for which German eX-
Dorters have been asking for a long time
II is probable, also, that some concessions
have been made in regard to the method
NJ determining the proper valuation TO he
placed on imports of German articles at
the ports Of the United States. II is prob
able that il the attitude OF the French Gov
ernment continues, the same concessions
will be demanded for France.
Secretary Root does not concede the
light OF any particular nation to demand
the same concessions from the United
States in tariff matters that are granted
% any other nation by the United States.
Ne holds that within certain legal limita-
ions It is the right Of the United States
y grant special privileges in exchange for
rsrtain privileges granted to us by another
nation, ard that these privileges will not
necessarily be granted to any other nation.
This IL called reciprocity OF the broadest
Kind, but not OF such a nature as to require
Incorporation within the terms Of a treaty
Negotiated under the provisions Of the
DinRley law and requiring ratification by
the United States Senate.