The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-06-27
French Wine


French Wine
Add to the influences strengthen
ing the position Of the United States
at the world economic conference
the prospective repeal Of prohibition
in this country.
It is strictly an internal affair and
foreigners cannot be expected to take
official notice Of it, yet it is Of vast
Importance from an international
and commercial standpoint.
Specifically, it operates to soften
the disposition of France in the con-
sideration OF such things as none
tary stability, tariffs and quotas.
With great market about to open
up for her wines and liquors, France
is too canny to set up an irreconcil-
able prejudice against herself.
Wine is and probably always will
be one OF the leading products of
our sister republic. It is an article
OF everyday commerce such as bread.
Those who have travelled in France
easily will recall the sight of a
Frenchman with long bottle of wine
under one arm and longer loaf of
bread under the other, taking home
his supper.
Since they make so much wine for
themselves it was only natural that
France should make it for others.
Her people became skilled in the art
and much of her scientific genius
has been devoted to improving her
vintages.
Since 1919 America has legally
been out Of the market for wines.
Some Of the French product has
been struggled In, Of course, but
nothing like the quantity which will
he used II the legal barriers are low
cred. For that reason. the fact that
Illinois or New Hampshire or Iowa
voted against continuance Of the
noble experiment" has almost as
many repercussions In France as it
has at home. This interest is re-
Elected. at the economic conference.
There are other factors, too.
France, for instance, finds herself
strongly in need OF friends as a re-
suit Of developments In Germany.
She cannot afford to take upon her.
self the onus Of bringing failure to
the economic conference. upon which
SO much depends. She needs relief
as badly as anyone and her own peo-
pie feel the pinch of the times as
much as other nations.
Thus she yielded q very important
point when she agreed that none
tary sterilization might be deferred
for time. In q way she risked her
financial prestige in 50 doing, for
one Of the major points in the
strength Of Frances position has
been her possession of the largest
gold reserve in Europe.
French diplomats are notorious
~ hard : boiled. Wilson's idealism
crashed upon the rock OF Clemen-
ceau's practically" in 1919. Every
world gathering since has found her
statesmen taking the same position,
asking the same question, What
will France get out Of it," II France
has stood to gain nothing, she has
refused to play.
Had we been maintaining more
profitable commercial relations with
her, France might not have done
some OF the things which have
marred the record of recent years,
II wine, for example. were flowing
to America in exchange for United
States gold, she might never have
defaulted on the debt due us. If that
business Is restored we may see q
change.
We already have seen an about
face from the recent French position
at London. We may see more con-
cessions before the meeting vs. ended.
A tremendously important wine
trade makes alluring bait.