The Washington herald., 1909-02-21
NAY AFFECT FRENCH TRADE
Higher Tariff There Excites Amer
lean Exporters.
Proposed Increase VIII Hit Metal
iuTEiCaI Goods and Hamper
Firearms Trade.

New York. Feb. 9-As the proposals
OF the customs committee Of the French
Parliament. which is revising the present
French tariff. become more fully known
on this side among business houses en-
gagged in the trade with France. much
alarm is expressed by shippers Of both
exports and imports AZ the probable ef-
Ifects Of the new schedules
The report Of the customs committee
has been published. and glance at the
new scale Of duties proposed On tie arti-
icles Of which the French-American trade
principalIv consists. compsred with the
scale OF duties al present IN force. shows
10 more than 80 per cent. Manufacturers
or machinery and metaUurgical goods.
electrical typevriting. and similar appa-
'ratus Will be particularly hard hit If the
committees proposals are adopted by tie
French Parliament without modification.
II Is hoped that by proper representa-
tons through diplomatic channels a re-
lduction may at least be obtained in the
new duties projected, as it is not cousid-
cred that this general rise is Al al jus
tilted.
one particular class Of goods likely TO
suffer heavily in its exports 20 France IS
that Of firearms For instance. the car
bines. rifles. and revolvers. for which
French importers now pay 6c3 francs. per
100 Kilograms. would have 10 pay 200
francs per 100 Kilograms. The hammer
double-barreI shotgun. for which is now
paid go francs. would pay 200 francs the
100 Kilograms. and the hammerless shot
gun, now paying I20o francs. would pay
1900 francs per 100 kilograms. The i'm
porters in Paris have already held ueet-
ing 10 formulate their objections and
make a general protest.
a merchant in this city familiar with
the situation. when seen, explained as
follows.
a committee Of the French Iegisla-
ttlre." he said has been for consider
able time taking testimony with a view
to recommending changes in the French
tariff law Most OF these changes viii he
In the nature Of an increase and viii
cover a large variety Of goods. II Is gen
orally understood that the French have
also in mind the prospective changes in
the United States tariff. and wish to be
in a position n negotiate commercial
agreement with this country should pro-
vision for such agreement be made In
our new tariff
There would be no likelihood OF any
modification being made by the French
government in their tariff rates as the
result OF representations made by our
government unless this government is
prepared 20 make concessions in our tar
iff rates that the French authorities deem
sufficient compensation for the changes
they might be requested to make on our
part
The history Of the reciprocity treaty
which vas negotiated with France in 1898
by John N. Kasson may be recalled. That
treaty provided for the admission Of the
great bulk Of American manufactured
goods into France at the minimum French
tariff rates in return for our granting Ger
tain concessions in our tariff speciaities
of French origin.
Our Senate, however. failed to confirm
the treaty and consequently nearly all
classes of American goods can enter
France only by paying the maximum
tariff rates"