New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-19
WANT J. S. PACT TO STAND
French Manufacturers Appeal to
Foreign Office.
LIMOGES MEN ARE ANXIOUS
American Commissions Weekly
Trip to Paris Declared Incon-
sistent with Good Faith.

Paris, Oct 1S.-Tte proposed action of
the American Treasury Department In abb
rogating its arrangement with the Limoges
Chamber OF Commerce, whereby the valua-
ton set by that chamber upon importations
OF Limoges china into the United States
was accepted by the American customs au-
thorties. was the subject of consideration
to-day by NJ de Selves, the French Foreign
Minister, who received a delegation or
porcelain manufacturers. members of the
Limoges Chamber OF Commerce and SEN
ators and Deputies from that district.
The delegation asked the government TO
obtain an extension Of the running agree
ment with the United States concerning
porcelain valuations, or otherwise protect
French manufacturers by treaty.
Last March notice was given that after
MAY these imports would be assessed by
appraisers in the same manner as other
imports are. The question was taken up
at Washington by Ambassador Jusserand,
who believed that a solution OF the difll-
Guilty would be found. In reply TO the re-
quest Of the delegation to-day VI. de Selves
said he would instruct the French Ambas-
sador at Washington to make further eff
Leonard 3etoulle, Deputy for Haute-Nf-
enne. presented the case for the manu-
facturers. An American commission, he
said. composed Of Edwin r. Wakefield,
George Davis and Frederick Aschenbach.
was sent to Limoges at the request Of the
Limoges Chamber Of Commerce. James r.
Curtis, Assistant Secretary of the United
States Treasury, had asked the chamber
TO cooperate with the commission and as
sist IN the inquiry This the chamber
, would have been pleased to do. The COM
mission, however, called upon VI. Lamy
president OF the chamber. on arrival at
Limoges, but declined the offer Of rooms
and facilities at the chamber. The commits
siol agreed that before leaving Limoges
an opportunity would be given President
| Lemy to show that Limoges was an open
market, and that the list OF prices pre-
viously certified was substantially accurate
According TO VI. Betoulle tho commits
sioners did not see President Lamy again
They wrote letters TO the manufacturers
requiring them TO submit all their books
for examination, including those SHOWING
the profits and losses and customers &C
counts. These requests were such as only
the courts I'm France under special stipu
lation could make All the books, how
ever, were willingly opened for inspec
ton. showing invoices and journal ano
! ledger accounts which would serve to es-
! taalish the market prices.
" Betoulle gave a long review Of tn,
commissions endeayors not 10 establish
/ market prices, as he affirmed. but 10 OBJ
tain evidence Of differentiation. A most
singular part OF the commissions proceed
| ings, " Betoulle thought, and inconsistent
with good faith. which he was confident
the American government would deplore anc
dsavow, was that the commissioners made
weekly trips TO Paris-sometimes more thar
orce a week-to confer with w. Burgess
chairman Of the executive committee OF
the United States Potters' Association
/ They remained many hours in his company
| on each occasion.
Of this there were proofs that NJ Be
toule thought certain the American gov
eminent could not be aware of, and he as
s,med that government would not counter
ance such proceedings I'm view Of assur
ancos made solemnly and deliberately tina
J all information obtained at Limoges wa:
| confidential with the United States gov
eminent and would not be disclosed e
| business competitors