The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-29

of the An.4.. ~
 but this was dem,
 on the ground that the - 1902 practically contained in its. degree of equivalency contemplated p, the Dingley act; and that to make fur- ther concessions to France would be to bestow upon her a preponderance of favors exchanged. But this govern ment promised that if in the future reduced duties on champagnes were granted to any other nations, the same provision would be extended to French champagnes.
 So the French government for more than four years has delayed the appli- cation of duties on Porto Rican coffees and it has done more, in the opinion of the State Department officials. It has resisted the demand of the French olive growers for the application of maximum duties on American cotton seed oil which competes with olive oil. and 1t has refused to accede to the de- mands of Russia, Frances ally, for in creased duties on American petroleum in the interests of the Baku product
  for additional duties on American shoes and many other articles in the interest of French manufacturers. The French government has declined to ac- cede to all of these internal demands for discrimination against America.
 But the conclusion of the reciprocity agreement with Germany whereby Ger man and sparkling wines were granted an abatement of 20 per cent of duty brought matters to a focus and the French government, pointing out the extent of the concessions afforded to attract tn trade, recalling the promise heretofore made, suggested that French champagnes also should be granted the same rates of duties ac- corded to German champagnes, and this is a basis for the agreement con cluded today between the two gov ernments. Not being a treaty, but merely an arrangement under section 3 of the Dingley act, which delegated to the President power to effect limited reciprocal exchanges, this new ar rangement will not require the approval of the United States Senate and will become effective on February 1 next.
 Proclamation Issued.
 The President late today issued proclamation announcing the conclusion of the Fanco-American reciprocity ar- rangements drawn under section of the Dingley act
 Under it. America comedies 20 per cent abatement in duties on champagne and sparkling wines imported into this country and France confirms the mini mum tariff rate now accorded American products.
 Other important provisions are made in- cludins> the creation of a commission to consider possible amendments to the trade regulations in France and America.
 The proclamation follows:
 By the President of the United States of America, proclamation:
 "Whereas, The government of the Uni- ted States and the government of the French republic have entered into an ad- ditional commercial agreement signed on January 2S, 1908, by which the applica tion of minimum rate under the third section of the tariff act of the United States, ap- proved July 24, 1S97 to champagne and all other sparkling wines is provided for in return for certain specified concessions in favor of products of the United States, including Porto Rico, which concessions in the judgement of the President are reciprocal and equivalent;
 Therefore be 1t known, That I Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, acting under the authority conferred by said act of Congress, do hereby conditionally suspend from Feb ruary 1, 1908, and during the time and in accordance with the terms of aforesaid additional agreement signed January 2S, 1908, the imposition and collection of the duties imposed by the first section of said act upon the articles hereinafter