Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-04
APPLAUSE FOR WHITE
Ambassador Is Guest of Honor
at Paris Dinner.
MAKES PRINCIPAL SPEECH
Annual Function of American Cham
Der of Commerce.
EXPLAINS TARIFF REVISION
EXPLAINS TARIFF REVISION
SAYS It Is in No Wise Aimed at
France-Exploits System Of
Raising Revenues.

| PARIS, July 3.-The annual Fourth Of
July dinner of the American Chamber of
Commerce at the Hotel Pal4is d orsay to-
night was an exceptionally brilliant af-
fair. Laurence V. Benet, president of the
chamber, presided and covers were laid
for 400 among whom were many visiting
Americans. The guests of honor included
the American ambassador, Henry White:
NJ. Barthou, minister Of public works
Jacob G. Schurman, president of Cornell
| University, and Patrick Murphy
Ambassador White. who was given an
ovation, del vered the principal speech, his
reference to the aid rendered by France
in achieving American independence and
the increased American prosperity under
President Taft calling forth salvos of ap-
plause. The ambassador paid a high
compliment to the success OF DIR. Van
Dykes lectures at the Sorbonne, but his
most important utterances constitu ed an
Official assurance. addressed directly to
Minister Barthou, that the American tar
If revision. contrary to the idea prevail
ing here, was in no wise aimed at France.
The ambassador explained that the
United Sta.e like other countries in an
age of Dreadnoughts and constantly aug
menting expenses, needed additional rev.
enue, and, like other popular govern
ments desired that the increased taxation
should fall on those best able to pay.
Revenues Raised by Customs Dues.
I'm France, he said. you believe in an
income tax; we believe that money is
most easily raised by customs dues"
He pointed out that France enjoyed al
most a monopoly in articles of luxury ex-
ported to the United States for the use of
the Well-to-do and these people would
still purchase. regardless of price. On the
other hand. a slight augmentation In the
price of necessities would reduce con-
sumption. AS the primary object was the
increase of revenue. Congress. he said
did not desire to raise the rates on lux
uries to point where importation from
France would be arrested or d unfinished.
He further called attention to the i'm
nense quantity of French purchases, run
ming into millions, which did not appear
in the statist cS. These brought little
in to the United States treasury because
| they were taken back in the trunks OF
tourists.
Il do not claim,' said the amba ssador
that in rev sing the tariff our first pre-
occupation IS to safeguard the int srests
of France or any other fore gn country,
bht do insist tlieit inc Is HOl
true.
Commerce Reciproeally Adjusted.
After pointing out that the final rate
to be retained will be adjusted in confer
| ence, he concluded by saying: Il am
convinced that when our revision has
been completed the commerce of the two
countries " II reciprocaly adjust itself as
1t has always done heretofore. In the
meantime l hope that the friendship Of
13i years which has been so advantag ,ous
to France and the United States and to
the peace of the world. will not be chilled
by groundless fears that the forthcom-
ing and pending American revision is
hostile TO French expectation.
NJ. Barbcu. after paying tribute to the
United States and Pres dent Taft. recalled
former President Roosevelt's words to NJ.
JuSerand the French ambassador, Il
can imagine war with any other country
except France. as an eloquent expires ion
OF the deep and underlying friendship be-
tween the two countries. The minister
said that France could only await the
contamination of the American tariff
with some Iprehension, which. perhaps.
might be equally felt on the other side. a
both countries had ultra protec.ionists.
There is good ground, however" con-
tinued the minister. "for equitable and
reciprocal concessions. What We ask Is
not sacrifice, but only Cancellation OF
our interests We cannot consider the
hypothesis Of rupture
President Schurman's Remarks.
President Schurman, in a thoughtful
speech, warned his hearers that there
was less enthusiasm for liberty and the
rights Of man In the United States and
Europe now than there was a genera
ton ago. Experience had brought dis
Illusion. Under popular government as
we'll as under monarchies, he said, men
must toll and sweat. Poverty stalks
abroad, crime flourishes, the disconnected
camor for revolution in the hope of the
new Elysilim.
Beneath all civilization lie the forces
of barharsm and anarchy. The great
powers today, he said. seem less con
cerned about civil and political liber y
than about territorial expansion, col
iosal armies and navieS, yet they cam
not extinguishethe yearning for demo-
cratic equality, and socialism is the
nemesis of outraged idealiSm against
triumphant materialism
Nevertheless, President Schurman view
cd with great satisfaction the conditions
in the United States which lad not es-
capped the spirit of the age, but still
remained true to the principles of the
Declaration of Independence He con-
sldered natural conditions In the United
States, the energy and civic virtues of
the people largely responsible for this,
but these very conditions, he declared
were the source of this great national
danger.
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