Year: 1871

tglLvnAW " tUI view tunA uehRLU


LONDON, Oct q, 1871.


President Thlers-speaking In the name Of the
French republicans formally notified the British
Cabinet, through Earl Granville Her Majesty's
Secretary for Foreign Affairs, that the commercial
treaty between France and England-known as the
Golden -Bonaparte treaty-will terminate in the
month of May, 1872 according to provision which
was included the paper itself at the moment OF its
ratification In Paris on the 23d OF January In the
year 1860.


The treaty was signed by Lord Cowley and Rich.
ard CoDden the part OF England and by Ministers
Rouher and Baroche as the representatives OF
France.


THE PROvIso OF EXPIRATION.


The twenty first anu last clause Of the treaty pro-
vides as follows:-


The present treaty shall remain in force for the
space OF ten years, to date from the day OF the ex-
change Of ratlncation and, In case neither OF the
other twelve months before the expiration OF the
said period Of ten years the intention to put end
for another year. and on from year to year. until
the expiration OF year, counting from the day on
shall have announced It's Intention to put an end
to It.


THE FRENCH NOTICE


M. Theirs has taken the initiative, as viii be seen,
towards terminating the treaty. He has perfect
right to do So Whatever people may say OF his dis
cretion in exercising Just now, and thus disturb
ing the current OF commerce In Europe. The French
Minister evidently intends to inflct blow on the
commerce Of Germany. The utility and benent Of
the Franc0-German commercial treaty will be en-
dangered. Prince Bismarck apprehendeL this re-
suit and mentioned the matter to President Theirs
In favor of renewal Of the treaty during the early
days OF the present year. Bismarck met with
rough and nat denial and then, Of course, did not
further urge the affair." H


rr,,l~ a
principle Of protection against the modern and
manifest fact Of free trade II the English treaty
OF commerce with France be not renewed, the
treaty Of commerce between Great Britain and Ger
many would be endangered were the free trade
party IN Germany not so strong and active as 1t Is
The treaty stands, ike all the other commercial
treaties with Germany, exclusively on the '.most
favored nationn clause. and thus forms merely an
appendix OF the Franco-German treaty. There is
1t is said, but one way to get out OF the difficulty
should matters take the turn which Theirs indicates
namely, direct commercial treaty between
Germany aud Great Britain. 1t is alleged
that o new offer has been made by Ger
many to England-namely, the total aboli-
tion Of tho German duties on cotton yarn and
raw iron In for England putting end to the
dinerential treatment OF foreign brandy and home
brandy, By the excess OF Is Cd. per gallon Of the
customs duty over the excise. There can be no
doubt that considerable majority OF the German
Reichstag would vote at once In favor Of such an
arrangement.


FRENCH ARGUMENTS.


The French protcotionists urge one surong point
in support OF Thcrs position. They lay great stress
ON the fact that the treaty OF commerce and the
modification Of tariffs which subsequently took
place was never submitted TO the sanction Of the
Corps Legslatf ana, In the first place, they demand
that the Legislature shall examine as TO whether 1t
shall be renewed or denounced" They hold,
moreover that the French Senate only consented TO
promulgate the treaty by a seaatus consultuna, on
the strength OF positive pledges and promises which
have been systematically broken or ignored, and
point out that one Cabinet may undo the mischief
done BY previous one,


ENGLAND's POSITION AND ARGUMENT


During the session OF the English House OF Com
mons In July, 1871. Mr.. Norwood asked the Prime
Minister "whether there was any negotiation pend.
ing as to q modification OF the commercial treaty
with France ana also whether the right honorable
gentleman was in o position to give an assurance
that the Queens government will not assent to any
dimnutlon OF the period stipulated for 'denounc
ing the treaty-viz., twelve monthsS"


Mr.. Gladstone stated IN repy:-"I am not able to
say that there is any negotiation between the two
governments in the strlcter sense OF the term but
there have been verbal communications between
M. Theirs and Lord Lyons IN France and IN Lon
don between Earl Granville and the French Am
bassador. law has been passed III France which
imposes upon certain imports into that country
duties higher than those Of the Treaty OF 1860. That
law contains other provisions which are un-
doubtedly Of o nature to G0eCt u,vnUOrdoiy
the commerce between the two countries.
The French government admits in the fullest
manner the binding character Of the stipula
tions OF the treaty and its obligation to bring
about conformity between their obligations
and wnat seem to be the exgences Of the condition
OF France We have reason to expect that we shall
shortly receive from the French government. in
more formal shape, overtures stating the different
alternative measures Of procedure and making
some proposals on the subject Of this treaty. At
present the honorable member will not expect me
to say than that we shall take no step without
anxious consideration, and that we shall be desr-
GUS OF communicating the earliest Information both
to Parliament and to the country; and we shall bear
specially In mind the effects Of any proposal which
may be made, not only upon commerce at large,
but upon the current transactions"


THE ISSUE.


The next grand European battle will be that OF
direct struggle between protection and free trade
Theirs is evidently anxious for its commencement,
hoping thereby to revolutionize capital at the
monarchical centres ana gain for the French repub
lie the sympathy and aid OF the laboring classes OF
Europe.


TRANrE.