New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-15
FRANCE FEARS TARIFF
THE VIEWS OF VI. DUPUY.
Efforts to Find Way of Auoiding
Trouble suith america.

Paris, Aug. 14-Jean Dupuy, Minister OF Com
merce. has had long experience as a Partisan
journalist. and is man of sound common sense.
moderation and discretion. His views the
tariff question are similar to those often
pressed by mis- predecessor, Nj. Cruppt NJ.
Dupuy has not yet found any practical method
of defending French industry from the effects of
tho United States tariff law. which for France.
in the absence of any special agreement. will
enforce on November 1 the maximum duties on
French exports
M. Dupuy Is strongly opposed to any measures
which would bring on a tariff between the
two countries. and has already replied to lead
Ing members OF the French Chambers of Com
merce OF Paris Rheims. Bordeaux and Lyons,
saying that 1t would be matter Of national
regret IL DO other way of defending their inter
est could be found except that of applying from
November l the French maximum tariff on
American commodities, which would require
increase OF duties amounting 20 over %I,ooO,tD0
francs more than hitherto-that is TO say. Ameri
can exporters would have to pay S0,O00.0O0
francs duties instead of 4300v. 600 francs.
The Premier. N. BRAND. and his Cabinet.
which contains several Socialist and Radical
members. must take into consideration the eco
nomical welfare of the French working classes.
The thrifty French housewife, who rules the
family life of France, would begin to scoId and
get angry and anti-republicaH at any consider
able increase in the prices Of pork, lard. oil.
petroleum. preserved meats. canned vegetables,
dried fruits and other household commodities.
NJ Dupuy points out that while the French ex-
ports TO the United States are mostly Iuxuries.
on which duties OF 100000 francs. instead OF
l3,GOoOOO francs hitherto, will be paid. the
United States exports TO France. on which over
SO.ooOoO francs instead OF 43.OoO60 francs
will be levied next November, are mostly neces-
sites. vi. DUpuy Is sorry that France. together
with Switzerland. has only three months to make
ready for the situation. while Germany has six.
The Minister of Commerce is examining and
studying the situation with Ambassador Jus
serand. who has recently returned here from
Washington, and hopes 10 find some means OF
defending French industry otherwise than by
putting into force the French maximum tariff.
Meanwhile French exporters Of champagnes.
silks. brandies. stockings. gowns. hats. under
wear. laces, gloves and dainty garments of every
description are hustlng about to ship as many
goods as possible I'm time 10 reach the United
states before November. The opinion OF French
business men Is that IL would be most unSise
for two essentially practical people. such as
Americans and Frenchmen. to allow themselves
10 be drawn into tariff war injurious 10 both
because no special arrangement can be made
William S. Dalliha. a prominent member OF the
American Chamber OF Commerce. sums up the
situation by saying: 1T looks as if We were
about to enter on a period OF paralysis OF all
business relations between the United States
and France" cIR