New-York tribune., 1907-06-23
MAKE TOO MUCH VINE.
Cause Of Troubles in South of France
Demand for Relief.

r.. ,,r,,,.r,, cause Of the trouble in the wine
f-royr,r, district of France, which has assumed
tho rrorortions OF a rebellion that threatens the
life oF Premier Clemenceau's administration ls
Tho enormous overproduction of all kinds OF VINE
The conditions which led up to the present crisis
have been steadily growing worse for half a dozen
years until now there is practically open war be-
tween the central government and the population
OF almost the entire wine growing district Of
Southern France. This district comprises the de-
partments Of lie Gard, lie Var. LHerault LAude
and Pyrenees OrientaIes. with population of
half Million nearly all of whom engaged in
way O another in the wine growing industry
The effects OF oveTproduction began TO be felt in
this district about seven eight years ago.
Previous TO that time the Of small. vine
yards and the laborers whom they employed were
nble to find a market for their product which
yielded fair returns In recent years. however the
area brought under cultivation for the production
OF grapes used in the manufacture Of wine has
greatly increased, owing principally to the number
or large companies which have gone into the bust
These new corners in the wine growing busi-
only greatly increased the annual pro-
duction Of wine but with their larger pital have
been steadily crowding the small producers out OF
business. In the year 1904 for instance. France
produced 100000 900 gallons OF wines of all kinds
about as much as the rest OF the world combined.
The worlds demand has not kept pace with the in
crease in the production, and the small
iacturer has. as is usually the case, come TO grief
Ihough ms Is the primary cause of the condi-
lions which have eliminated in the present crisis II
IS not the immediate cause OF the trouble. In the
manufacture Of wine. in the manufacture OF
whiskey the natural product is treated in the
process Of manufacture produce different blends
The abuse, II IS claimed of this process of treat
snent is the chief immediate Of the trouble
The small wine producers have long contended that
gross frauds being perpetrated in the manu-
facture Of wines by the OF in the process
Of treatment. and that a large proportion of the
overproduction, which is rendering their honestly
made beverage from the Juice of the grape un-
profitable 10 rnanufa cture, IS due to the flooding
of the available markets With &c
adulterated product.
About a year ago the situation began to take on
a serious aspect, For q number of years the small
wine growers had demanded that the government
should take drastic measures put a stop TO the
production Of what they maintained were aduI-
terated wines. An acute stage was reached few
months ago. when committee representing the
small wine growers and the laboring classes en-
plcyed IN the wine industry generally ap-
pointed TO formulate demands and carry
agitation 10 force the government TO accede 10
them. The principal OF these demands which are
numerous that the use of sugar in the manu-
Sacture Of wines should be prohibited by law and
that corps of inspectors should be appointed by
the government 20 that the law rlg1dIy en-
1orced These demands were presented to the
Cabinet backed by all the voting strength in the
Chamber Of Deputies that the small wine growers
could bring 10 bear. The government admitted
the seriousness OF the situation and professed
willingness TO do all in its power ameliorate the
desperate position the smaller wine growers in
the various districts. It refused. however TO agree
10 the enactment Of a law prohibiting the use OF
sugar in the manufacture Of wines. The addition
st was pointed out, could not be regarded as an
adulteration IN the that II produced a dele
ferious beverage To prohibit its altogether
"hiIe IL might increase the market of the natural
wine made by the small wine growers would con-
Etitute an injustice TO those who had invested
much capital In the production Of wines treated 10
s'If the taste OF a variety OF consumers
The refusal Of the government 10 comply with
the demands made by the wine growers committee
was the beginning Of serious trouble. The main
CoHlltlee met at the city Of Argeiiers and decided
10 carry on movement against the central gov
erhment. The hrst act in the drama the reslg-
Ii"h oI Ie etlre municipal council. including the
Mayor Of the city Of Montpelier one Of the chief
centres Of population in the wine growing districts
An appeal was sent out by Marcelin Albert. chair
man OF the wine growers committee asking for
united action on the part Of the various organiza
tions throughout the derartrenrs Of Auda
LTIeraut and Pyrenees Orientales Though the
appeal counseIed the adoption of lawful means
only 10 bring the government TO time and depre-
Gated violence. ii only a few days until the
cities Of Montpelier Narbonne, Carcassomme Per
pignan. Argeers and other smaller places in the
disaf1ected district became storm centres and were
thronged with mobs Of wine growers and their sym
pathizers from the surrounding country.
When the extent and seriousness Of the revolt
became evident. the government announced its de-
termination 10 suppress all wine frauds. held
out the olive branch to the wine growers by an
nouncing I'm the Chamber OF Deputies that II was
prepared, as an inducement 10 the owners of small
vineyards, TO abandon grape growing, TO remit the
land taxes for n period Of five wears in all cases
where it devoted 70 the raising of other crops
This announcement had little no effect and acts
of violence resulted In the calling o,It f tb Ioco
troops at several points. At NaTbOnne the soldiers
revolted and refused TO march against their friends
and relatives.
a measure then introduced by the govern
ment and passed by the Chamber Of Deputies. i'm
posing a Of about SO a hundred pounds rpon
all sugar used in the treatment of wines. Even
this had effect the thoroughly aroused
populace. Acts of violence continued, and the gov
eminent decided TO arrest and prosecute all the
leaders OF the revolt. This announcement of the
intention Of the government promptly followed
by general rising OF the countryside, with the OBJ
5ect Of making fierce resistance to the forces sent
by the government 10 arrest the leaders of the
movement.
When the rebellion reached this stage Premier
Clemenceau announced that all means Of conca-
fion had now been exhausted, and that. chief OF
the government he bound 10 enforce respect
for the law. The wine growers committee Of Ar
Eeiiers itself up the place of the central
government, and three departments had engaged
fu revolt against the country's laws were
threatening 10 burn the houses Of mayors and
others who refused allegiance the committee
Summonses had been issued for those responsible
this state OF affairs and they would be arrested
The arrest Of several members Of the wine grow
ers' committee followed by sanguinary en-
counters between the rioters and the troop9.
whole army corps has now been put in motion 20
deal with the rebellion.
The chief danger in tho situation. Il IS claimed
Hes in the determined and ugly temper OF large
Tou,iiation has been steadily impoverished for
years through being unable 10 gather their
crops Of grapes. The condition OF the wine market
has been such that the small wine growers have
found Il improbable 10 pay the labor charges for
gathering the grapes and turning them into wine
They have not had the capital necessary 20 pay
the cost Of manufacture and the price of the
necessary casks hold the wine until prices i'm
rrove. The consequence is that thousands of tons
az grapes have been allowed TO rot on the vines
for several seasons past. Right wrong, the
Teonle are convinced that II IS the Euty Of the
ernment to assist them and prFent their utter
and complete ruin.
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