The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1908-01-29
DUTIES ON
CHAMP ACNE
Twenty Per Cent Abate-
ment Conceded.
FRANco-AMERIcANREcIPRocITY
-s
Secretary Root and Ambassador
Jusserand Sign Arrangement.
ger II. Part, rae French Government
Confirms The sEinimum Tariff
Rate New Accorded 10
Americas Products.
FRANcoAMERIcANREcIPRocITY

Washington, Jan. 2s--secretary Root
and Ambassador Jusserand today
signed the Franco-American rectpro-
city arrangement drawn under Section
3 Of the Dingley act.
The President late today issued a
proclamation announcing the conclu-
sion OF the Franco-American reciproc-
ity arrangements drawn under Section
. OF the Dingley act.
The agreement comedies to France
an abatement of twenty per cent in
the duties on champagne and spark
ling wines imported into America.
For its part, the French government
confirms the minimum tariff rate now
accorded to American products. Pro-
vision also IL made for appointment
OF commission of three members on
each side to consider and report upon
possible amendments to the existing
regulations in both France and Amer
lea to facilitate exchange.
The new agreement differs substan-
TALLY in form and scope from the va
rious trade arrangements drawn un-
der Section 3 OF the Dinaley act, which
have preceded It. The important point
OF difference is the method employed
to protect each party from that form
OF tariff manipulation which consists
In arbitrarily increasing the duty on
certain articles as basis for secur-
ing additional concession from the
other side. Therefore II is provided
IN THIS new agreement that the abate-
ment OF duty on French champagne
shall be conditional only. and that the
old rates may be restored whenever
the President shall become convinced
that France Is increasing the duties
on imports from America. The French
government is granted a similar priv
ilege; namely, of applying maximum
duties on American products when sat
isfied that America is increasing the
duties on French goods.
Special Concession.
II is explained at the state Depart
nenk that no considerable reductions
OF French duties on American products
are recorded in this new arrangement
for the simple reason that America
has already been enjoying minimum
tariR rates in many case, solely by
special concession Of the French gov
ernment. In other words, the Amer
lean exporte was not legally entitled
TO claim the benent of these lower
duties, they were merely extended as
In anticipation OF the reduction on
champagne duties and the amelioration
Of certain custom house regulations
and certain provisions of the new
American pure food law about to. be
applied to French parliamentary pro-
UUCL4s IN tnG pI0C61lAk EEMuGo~ <AIuCES
fcan reciprocity agreement made In
1902. the duty. on American coffee
(neariy all from Porto Ricol, was sus.
pended for one year, at the expira-
tion OF which time. heavy duties were
to Abe applied. The French govern
meut at that time was DESTROYS Of
securing al reduction Of the Amer
denied by our government on the
ground that the agreement of 1902
practically contained in itself that de-
gree Of equivaleney contemplated by
the Dingley act; and that to mako
further concessions TO France would be
20 bestow upon her q preponderance Of
1avors exchanged. But this govern
ment promised that IL in the future
reduced duties on champagne were
granted to any other nation, the same
privilege would be extended to French
champagne. So the French govern
ment for more than four years has
delayed the application of duties on
Porto Rican coffees and 1t has done
more in the opinion of the State De-
partment officials. 1t has resisted the
demand OF the French olive growers
for the application of maximum on
American cotton seed oil, which
completes with olive oil and It has
refused to accede to the demands Of
Russia. Frances ally, for increased
duties on American petroleum in the
interests OF the Baku product.
Additional Duties.
There also has been strong de-
nnand for additional duties on Ameri-
can shoes and many other articles
in the interest of Frances manufac-
lures. The French government has
declined to accede to all OF these in
ternal demands for discrimination
against America. But the conclusion
OF the reciprocity agreement with
Germany whereby German champagnes
and sparkling wines were granted an
abatement Of twenty per cent of duty,
brought matters to a focus and the
French government. pointing out the
extent OF the concessions afforded to
American trade and recalling the
promise heretofore made suggested
that French champagnes also should
be granted the same rates of duties
accorded to German CHI Apagnes and
this is baHis for the agreement con-
eluded today between the two govern
ments. Not being a treaty but mere
Iy an arrangement under Section OF
the Dingley act, which delegated to
the President power to effect limited
reciprocal exchanges, this new agree
ment will not require the approval OF
the limited States Senate and will be-