Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-06
HIGH RATES TO APPLY
France to Put Maximum Tariff
on American Goods.
NO HOPE OF AVERTlNG IT
Situation Similar to That With Ger
many.
SENATE AGAINST RECIPROCITY
Assurance Of Favorable Consideration
Of Treaty Cannot BE
Given.
NO HOPE OF AvERTING IT
Situation Similar to Thst With Ger
many.
AGAINST RECIPROCITY

The executive branch Of the government
has abandoned all hope Of finding any con-
cessions which it can offer the French gov
eminent to prevent the application of the
maximum tariff rates on American prod
ucts not specifically exempted therefrom
by existing arrangements. Omcially 1t Is
stated that the situation as to France IL
therefore similar to that as to Germany;
in neither case can this government at
present meet the demand for a reciprocity
treaty as the price Of minimum tariff rates
for United States goods and products.
Through their embassies at Washington
the governments of the two countries
named have been made well aware Of that
fact, and also that it remains for Congress
to decide whether it cares to divert these
blows at the domestic export trade by ap-
proving reciprocity treaties with France
and Germany.
In the case of France, the State Depart
ment is concentrating its efforts upon the
subjects of the live cattle and dressed meats
trade. The French government has de-
clined to accept as sufficient the rigorous
examinations and precautions against the
shipment of unfit cattle and meats pro-
vfded for in the pure food act and the reg
ulatfons Of the Department OF Agriculture.
Instead 1t persists In demanding the GER
tffcate Of microscopical examination pro-
vfded for by the old law and reguIatfona.
and It IS the purpose OF the state depart.
ment to convince the French people that
the new plan Is very much better and safer.
The Italian government has given notice
that IT is satisfied with the new inspection
system, and that fact Is being used as an
argument to influence favorably the French
government.
No Ground for Protest.
But as to general exports, there is little
to be done by the State Department, and 1t
l. <a0f
against the projected increase Of the
French duties on United States products
for protective reasons. More than ten
years ago Mr.. kasson, special reciprocity
plenipotentiary, made arrangements with
the French government under section
of the Dingley act, whereby, In return for
reduced tariff rates on still wines. argols.
brandies and works of art, the French gov
eminent granted minimum tariff rates on .
number OF American products. mainly
agricultural, and In the nature Of crude
raw materials. The French list was Inn
tied and did not by any means include all
the staples of our commerce with France.
The United States for its part withheld
but one concession which 1t was free to
offer under section OF the tariff act,
namely, reduction Of duty on champagne.
1t still has that to offer, but could scarcely
secure any very considerable concession In
return from France, so no attempt has been
made to negotiate on that line. +-.
But Mr.. Kasson also negotiated with the
French government q complete reciprocity
treaty. under the terms Of which, in re-
turn for a number Of reductions Of duty
on French manufactured goods, all Ameri-
can imports into France were to be given
the benefit of the minimum French rate.
That draft of treaty lies in the pigeon
holes of the Senate committee On foreign
relations, never having received any kind
Of report-favorable or unfavorable-to
the Senate. 1t Is now out Of date and
would have to be considerably amended to
meet the present conditions Of trade. But
1t contains the basis Of q convention that
would satisfy the French government and
prevent. II approved by the Senate. the
chambers.
Can Give No Assurance.
If Secretary Root could give any reason
able assurance to the French ambassador
that the Senate at its next session would
favorably consider some kind of a reci-
procity treaty it Is probable that an ar
rangement might be made with the French
government similar to that made with the
German government for the suspension Of
the application of the maximum tariff
rates to United States goods and products
for year or two. But it Is believed that
nothing occurred during the session of
Congress just ended to warrant the belief
that there has been any change in the
conviction of senators as to the fnexpeds-
ency OF embarking upon a policy of reci-
procity. so there is little hope among the
officials of being able to avert this threat
ened blow at the home trade Moreover If
is very much doubted whether a basis can
be found for an agreement with GERMANY
TO prevent the application of the German
maximum rates to goods and products from
the United States when the suspensory
will be applied with full severity to Ameri-
can imports.