The Washington herald., 1914-04-12
.PREMIERASSURES
FRENCH EXHIBIT
M. Doumergue Discusses In
ternational Questions in
Interesting Manner.
NO EUROPEAN WAR CLOUD
Statement on New Tariff by Admin
istration Here Eagerly Awaited
by Foreign Merchants.
Special Cattle to The Washington Herald.

sreCial Cattle to The Washington Herald
Paris, April u.-FOrmaI assurance was
given today by CASTOR DOumergue, pre-
mier and miniEtar of foreign affairs. that
France will participate officially in the
Panama-Pacific Exposition.
Not only are we determined to par
ucipate." said NJ Doumergue but our
manufacturers will spare no effort 10
make the exhibit the finest ever seen in
America The delay in making the ap-
preparation must in no way be construed
as an indication that France is waver-
ing In her determination to he repre-
sented at the exposition in a striking and
positive manner Internal difficulties
Which recently h I'VE monopolized the time
OF the chamber have prevented the bring
ing forward Of all matters not intimately
connected with great domestic problems.
Tariff Causes Prejudice.
No clearer illustration of this could
be given than the fact that our own bud.
get could not Re voted before the session
closed for the elections However as
soon as the chamber has reassembIed I
Intend to bring the question of the PAN
ANA Exposition credits forward as an
urgent matter. do not think the delav
In this respect IS likely to prejudice our
section. Our manufacturers are ready
ana we rely on the American engineers
ana builders to set up our buildings with
the rapidity for which they are famous.
IL Is idle however. to attempt to dis
gulse the fact that the workings of your
now tarin have caused great prejudice to
certain great French business interests
and that there has been active Iobbyin9
"ith view TO boycOtting the exposition:
but ] am. convinced We can safely reIv
on the Washington administration n give
US assurance that IL will do something
10 remove the onerous and vexatious fea-
lures Of the new tariff l do not expect
10 nave a new commerce treaty nut
through in few weeks but some kind
OF declaration Of Washington's good will
toward French Smmercial interests
would do lot to remove the apprehen-
sIons OF our exporters"
Favors Closed Canal.
When asked TO define the French off.
ciaI attitude on the Panama Canal tolls
question. NJ. Doumergue replied:
Naturally. the interests of France, Y
common With all European countries
compel them to favor the policy Of eouaI
treatment with the United States in re-
gard 10 tolls. and my personal view is
that. should President Wilson's poIicv
ultimately triumph. far from constitut-
ing setback to American shipping. II
would prove beneficial While prefer
ences might keep American shipping stag
nant. competition on an equal basis woult
ne bound to give the greatest possiIf.
stimulus TO the uphuildnC Of the. Amsri.
can mercantile marine"
Regarding Mexico the premier said.
our policy remains unchanged Our
interests in Mexico are enormous. and
We naturally stand for law amt order in
that troubled country. We have Prasl-
dent Wilson's assurances t-a, no inter-
Vention is contemplated and are in SYM
rathy with the waiting policy"
The premier also consented 10 depart
from his usual custom ard make a stats-
ment on the European situation
All the powers. he said. are for
peace. Every one needs ... and the f.
forts Of all the ,hancelOrieS are bent
toward that end Th-. International 5ori-
zon is clearer than il has been for some
time. and business tho world over should
he greatly benefited by this cheerful out
look
That Albania should remain in an un-
settled condition was only to be expected
Changes OF regime cannot he effected
peacefully merely 10y ,dict of the powers.
and no one hoped that Albania would Dc
come tranquil merely because Europe de-
cided that il should be made an inde-
pendent kingdom.
Despite the recent outbreak Of bei-
ligerent feeling. there is no danger OF war
between Germany and Russia.
Asia Minor will remain Turkish ter
ritory- While financial and business in
terestS are negotiating for opening up
that very rich country. there is no ques-
ti"n of territorial changes there"