Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-13
FRANCE COURTS
UNCLE SANS TRADE
Minister of Commerce Believes
Closer Business Relations
Will Follow War.
TARIFF BUILDS BARRIERS

Correspondence OF The Associated Press)
Paris, Feb. 2l.-Etienne Clementel,
minister of commerce, is giving con-
sideration to the expansion of trade
with the United States after the war.
THE interests of America and
France said he to a correspondent of
the Associated Press, "have grown
so much closer during the war that
! am sure they will continue to de-
velop when peace comes. The trade
policies of both your country and OF
mine before the war made exchanges
difficult. Our financial relations with
the United States during the war
make it desirable, from our stand
point, to increase our exports to the
United States, and you, on your side,
have been showing a great interest
in expanding your foreign trade.
These motives ought, | conceive, to
bring about new working arrange
ment, in which both countries shall
treat on reciprocal basis. From
such information as | have, | believe
that the governments of both countries
will be disposed to take up this ques-
ton at the proper time"
M. Clementel considers that the
trade barriers between France and the
United States are as much the crea-
ton of the American government as
of the French. THE obstacles raised
by the French tariff against free i'm
portations from America" said he,
ARE largely the consequence OF the
American tariff policy. French manu-
facturers and exporters do not com
plain against high rates of duty as
much as against the uncertainty of
the Interpretation of your tariff laws
by customs officials and the inquisi-
torial practice of investigating the
selling prices in Europe and the cost
of the manufacturer in assessing the
ad valorem duties.
What Yankees Pay.
The American Chamber of Com
merce, in a bulletin issued January
l8, gives the subjoined table of I'M
portapt classes of goods on which i'm
porters from the United States are
obliged to pay higher rates of duties
than those imposed on similar articles
of European origin:
Percent Extpa
Duty on Ameri-
Glass of Goods. can Articles.
Portable and semi portable steam
engines ..........,......... SO
Hydraulic engines. pumps and venti-
IdtOrS lou
Weaving, knitting and spinning ma
chlnery Observation-Disclosures. 90
Presses and machinery for printing, so
Machinery and accessories for printing
trade Observation-Disclosures. so
Sewing machines Observation-Disclosures. ~
Dynamo electric machinery ........., so
Electric and electro-technical apparatus.
average Observation-Disclosures. 70
General machinery, milling, hosting,
otc. '''.'..'..'......... 5O
Complete apparatus, not specified. ...... so
Boilers NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. SO
Refrigerating apparatus, average. 100
Cotton knit goods Observation-Disclosures. 80
Woolen knit goods. Observation-Disclosures. so
Silk knit goods, average. 25
Glass and crystal ware are,................ so
Rubber goods, average so
Ham and salted meats. average. SO
Cheese ,,..,'....r.........' l33
Canned fish ',...,............,.. wv
States for writing or drawing g,.......... so
Special steels, average. ge.,............... 50
Chemical products. average, ,............ SO
Pencils ....s............ .......'..'.'.' 1o
All yarns, except manila, hemp and
New Zealand flax. ax..........,......... SO
Fabrics, embroderies and clothing Of
all materials, average ................ 80
Shoes, average (or one franc per pair) SO
Leather gloves NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 100
Transmission betting ...,..........,... SO
Imitation jewelry Observation-Disclosures. so
Watches and chonometers ........1 100 to 800
The State department appears to
have had under consideration in the
winter of 19l3-l4, the revision of the
commercial treaty between France
a.l II.:4aI C4n+ar Murnn T Inrricl.