Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1882

No. 87.
Mr. Morton to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Legation of the United States,
Paris, March 31, 1882. (Received April 13.)

No. 146.]

Sir: I had the honor to inform you on the 28th and 29th instant by cable that the pork bill had passed the Chamber with an amendment aiming at the re-establishment of microscopic examination. I transmit herewith copies of my telegrams and a translation of the text of the bill as it passed the Chamber.

The amendment introduced by the opponents of the free admission into France of our pork is contained in the three last paragraphs of article 2. It does not provide in terms for microscopic examination, but the debates show that it is intended to secure that result. The minister of commerce, Mr. Tirard, who agreed to it, and has secured its passage, is well known to be in favor of this mode of inspection, and to hold that it is the only one by which any effective guarantee can be given. In a conversation which I had with him the day before the debate he expressed this opinion, and remarked that there was a strong prejudice in France against American pork; that it would find no sale, although it might be perfectly sound, unless some kind of inspection was required which would satisfy the public. He discussed the question in a friendly manner, and intimated that the inspection, if required by the new law, could be made easy, and would become more and more so, if all meats were found to be in a sound condition.

Mr. Archard, of Bordeaux, the chairman of the committee who reported the bill during the debate read your telegram, copy of which I had furnished him, denying the existence of trichinosis in the United States, and made an able argument in favor of his bill, claiming that the prohibition was unjustifiable, that our pork was perfectly healthy, and that, even should it be unhealthy, no inspection or examination of such quantities could be in any way effective. His speech is too long to be translated, but by referring to the Journal Officiel of the 28th and 29th, which goes regularly to the Department, you will find it in full, with the whole proceedings.

It is believed that the Senate will pass the bill without change.

I have, &c.,

LEVI P. MORTON.

[Inclosure in No. 146.]

Translation of a bill passed by the Chamber.

Article 1. Salted pork meats of foreign production, which correspond to the type known in commerce under the name of “fully cured,” can be imported into France through places on the frontier of land and sea which will be designated by decree.

Art 2. At the moment of landing the importers must prove that the meats which they intend to hand over for consumption correspond to the aforesaid type; that they are wholesome; that they are in a perfect state of preservation; and that the salting of them is complete. This authentication will be executed by special experts.

These experts will be appointed by the minister of commerce, who will possess the right to direct such manner of examination as will appear to him necessary.

The cost of the service of inspection will be paid by the importers under conditions to be established by rules of the public administration.

The custom-house service will only allow the removal of the meats on the certificates of these experts establishing that they consider the condition required in the first paragraph of the present article.

Art. 3. The present arrangements are not applicable to uncooked chopped meats, such as small and large sausages, Bologna sausage, &c., nor to guts intended for culinary preparations, the introduction of which into France is absolutely prohibited.

Art. 4. Will be punished by imprisonment of from two to six months, and by a fine of from 100 to 500 francs—

(1) Those who have introduced into France uncooked chopped pork, such as large and small sausages, Bologna sausage, &c., or guts intended for culinary preparations.

(2) Those who have introduced or attempted to introduce into France, without submitting them to the verification prescribed by the present law, of pork of foreign production.

In the two above-mentioned cases, the imported meats will be, moreover, seized and destroyed.

Article 463 of the Penal Code is applicable in the cases foreseen in the present article.

Art. 5. The decree of February 18, 1881, which prohibits the importation into France of salted pork of American origin is repealed.