Evening star., 1932-06-01
FRANCE L|GHTENS
i. s. TRADE CURB
Quotas Lifted to 1881 Level,
Edge Reveals on Way to
Washington.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
PARIS. June 1-An important trade
agreement which is expected shortly to
Increase the amount of American goods
that may be imported into France was
reached yesterday by the United States
and French governments
The agreement grants the United
States most characterization treatment
on importations which now are cur
tailed by the French system of quotas
The agreement was achieved by AM
bassador Walter E. Edge. who has been
working on it for some time. The Am
basadOr succeeded in convincing rep
resentativeS of the French government
that the present quotas were unfair to
American shippers
The accord took the form of de-
cree signed by Premier Andre Tardieu
1881 Levels Restored.
1t provides a method of establishing
Quotas in the future by more consulta- l.
ton than has been the case in the past
with those handling American importa-
tions into France. Generally speaking
1t bases importation limits on the levels
of 1881.
The recent Franco-American agree
ment eradicating the double-taxation
burden carried by American houses
with branches in France paved the way
for the new accord. This agreement
also negotiated By Mr.. Edge, saved
American concerns millions of dollars
in taxes.
These two diplomatic accomplish
ments will serve as the foundation of a
general commercial treaty for which
Mr.. Edge will negotiate on his return
from the United States.
Williamson Howell. jr a Texan. who
Is secretary of embassy. furnished the
Ambassador with valuable technical as
slstance in the negotiations which LED
to the accord.
The agreement was announced lust
as Ambassador Edge. Mrs. Edge and
their three children were boarding a
train for Havre to sail for the United
States. The Ambassador said he was
happy over the result of the trade con-
1erenceS. and looking forward to active
participation in the Republican Ma
tlonal Convention in behalf of a change
In the prohibition law.
In accord, he said, was a genuine
manifestation of Franco american un-
derstanding which would serve as an
impetus II cooperation between the
two countries and as an al interim
solution of a problem which has been
the source of disquiet to American
business interests.
He also expressed his appreciation of
the help of Premier Tardieu and officials
Of the French foreign Office.
American trade had been restricted
under the quota system approximately
81 100000 a year. Several hundred
commodities. shipped from all sections
OF the United States. were affected and
In about dozen cases 10 per cent of
French imports ccme from America.
When the quotas are renewed France
will grant increases to America on
many important products. Radio sets
will have an increase of about 20 per
cent and radio tubes As per cent Other
Imports given relief are tools. patent
leather. dynamos. other electrical ma
chinery, paper and lumber.
1t was estimated American businesses
would be benefited over S500,00O a year
by the new agreement
Numerous American products have
been hit by the French system of plac-
ing quotas on imports
Among the items affected were locks,
keys, furniture. some fruits and plants,
rubberized cloth, rubber fabrics. ma
chine tools, electrical equipment, wheat,
printing machines. strip steel, finished
woods, radio equipment. broomS, iodine,
leather, paper and cards.