New-York tribune., 1909-07-04
NO 1fNTI-FRENCH TARIFF.
Ambassador White Explains .1tti-
tadc Of United States.
{ - The Associated Press ]

Paris. July 2.-The annual Fourth OF July dinner
Of the American Chamber <of Commerce vas held
At the Hotel Palas DOrSay tonight. Laurence
y benef. president Of the chamber. presided and
covers were laid for four hundred, among whom
many visiting Americans.
Ambassador White made The principal speech his
reference 70 the aid rendered by France IN achey-
ing American independence and the increased
American prosperity under President Taft calling
forth salvcs of applause. The ambassador paid
high compliment 10 the success Of Dr. van Dykes
lectures ct the Sorbonne. but his most important
u'tcrances constituted official assurance. ad-
dressed directly Minister BaTthou that the
American tariff revision, contrary the idea pre-
vsiling here. was in nowise aimed st France.
The ambassador explained that the United States.
like other countries in an age OF Dreadnoughts
aud constantly Augmenting expenses, needed sddi-
tonaI revenue, and. like other popular govern
rnents. desired that the increased taxation should
fsll those best able to pay.
In France" he said. you believe IN al income
tax: we believe that money is most easily raised
by customs dues"
Continuing he pointed that France enjoyed
almost monopoly in articles Of luxury exported
10 the United States Cor the Of the wealthy
and these people would still purchase. regardless
of price. On the other hand d slight increase in
the price Of necessities would reduce consumption
IS the primary object the increase OF reve-
nue.. Congress, he said. did not desire raise the
rates luXuries TO point where importation
from France would be arrested or diminished. He
Of French purchases, running into the millions
which did not appear in the statistics. These
brought little into the United States Treasury. as
they we're taken back in the trunks of tourists.
I do not claim said the Ambassador that IN
revising the tariff first preocupation is ats-
guard the interests of France any other foreign
country but do insist that the contrary is no,
true
After pointing out that the hnal rate be re-
tanned VIII be adjusted in conference, he concluded
by saying: 4 convinced that when our revision
has been completed the commerce Of the two couu-
tries Will recipIocally adjust itself as Il has always
done heretofore. In the mean time l hope that tho
friendship Of 131 years. which has been 80 advan-
tageous 20 France and the United states and To
the peace Of the world, will be chulcd bv
groundlees fears that the forthcoming and PENDING
Ameri,aT revision is hostile 10 French cNporta-
ton
". Rar-hou after paying tribute 10 the I nited
states and President Taft. recalled former Pres
ident Rnosevelts words 70 NJ. Lusserand the
French Amba ssadcr: Il can imagine with any
other country except France" an eloquent eN-
preston of the deep and underlying friendship he
tween the two countries The Minister said that
France could only await tbs contamination of the
American tariff with some apprehension which
perhaps might be equally felt the other side as
both countries had ultra -protectionists There is
good ground, however. continued the Minister.
FOR equitable and reciprocal concessions What
We ask is not sacrifice, but only conciliation
Of our interests. We cannot consider the hypothe-
sis Of rupture"
President Schurman In a thoushtf, speech
warned bis hearers that there was less enthusiasm
for liberty and the rights of man in the United
States and Europe than there was q genera
tiOn sgo. Experience had brought disillusion In
dAr popular government as well as under mon
arches. he said. men must toll and sweat.
Poverty stalks abroad; crime 1ourishes; the dis
Ccntented clanor for revolution IN hope of tbs
now Elysiun. Beneath ali civilization lies the
forces of barharism and aparchv The great powers
TO-DAY, he said seem less concerned about civil and
political liberty than about territorial expansion
colossal armies and navies, yet they cannot eXtiu-
guish the yearning for democratic equality. ana
socialism is the Nemesis of outraged ideaism
against triumphant materialism.
Nevertheless. President Schurman viewed with
great satisfaction the conditions In the United
States which had not escaped the spirit of the age
but still remained true to the principles of the
Declaration of Independence. He considered natu-
raj conditions in the United States energy and
civic virtue of the people largely responsible for
this, but these conditions, he added, were the
source Of the great national danger.
I'VE nave dedicated ourselves" he said to the
exploitation Of our resources with an energy so
irresistible that IL would brook the restraints
Of law and morality. Material prosperity has blind
ed conscience. The world of high finance and big
business became q law itself by alliance with
political leaders and bosses. and sometimes con-
roled legislatures. Governors, and even courts but
the nation which recognizes it's perils already i'm
muns from the baneful virus. and the history of
the present decade will be a record or American
awakening.
For this debt of gratitude men like
Cleveland, Roosevelt, Hughes, Folk and. the
least, TO the much defeated Bryan. To-day the
outlook is entirely fair and promising President
Taft is happily demonstrating the possibility of
combining a government OF law with policy of
just and sane reform of cooperative abuses"