Mr. Wharton to Mr.
Reid.
Department
of State,
Washington, June 8,
1891.
No. 285.]Sir: I inclose herewith, for your information, copy
of a letter from the Secretary of Agriculture, dated the 3d instant,
inquiring as to what steps are being taken by your legation for the removal
of the restrictions maintained by France on the importation of American
meats, and as to what would be the probable effect upon the agricultural
products of this country of certain legislation pending in the French
Chamber of Deputies.
You are requested at your earliest convenience to make a report as to the
present state of the subject of the importation of American meats and
agricultural products into France, summarizing the recent action of your
legation in the premises and giving your views as to the prospect of an
early removal of the existing restrictions upon the importation of American
products into France.
It is desired that your dispatch in reply to this instruction may contain a
very full presentation of the whole subject for the benefit of the Secretary
of Agriculture.
With reference to that portion of the letter of the Secretary of Agriculture
which earnestly requests that instructions may be given to you to insist in
every way possible upon the early removal of the present restrictions on our
animal products, I have only to say that the Department, being fully aware
of the watchful attention that you have constantly given to this subject,
does not deem it necessary to do more than confirm the instructions
heretofore given to you relative to the matter in question.
I am, etc.,
William F. Wharton,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure in No. 285.]
Mr. Rusk to Mr.
Blaine.
Department of Agriculture,
Office of
Secretary,
Washington, June 3, 1891.
(Received June 4.)
Sir: I have the honor to inquire as to what
steps are being taken by our minister to France for the removal of the
restrictions maintained by that country on the importation of American
meats.
Some time has elapsed since the passage of the act of Congress of March
3, 1891, providing for the inspection of live stock and their products
in this country and their certification for export to foreign countries,
and the issuance of the regulations made by this Department for the
proper execution of said law, and I am of the opinion that the time has
arrived when France should he requested to indicate its intention, in
view of this system of inspection, of removing its prohibition against
our livestock products.
[Page 490]
My attention has been called to legislation now pending in the Chamber of
Deputies of France having for its object the increasing of duties on
meats imported into that country, and, from the nature of the debate
there carried on, having reference especially to American meats.
I would ask whether this proposed legislation contains any provision
looking to the removal of the existing prohibition against the
introduction of American hog products into France, and that our minister
to France be requested to furnish this Department full information as to
the effect of said legislation, when enacted, on the agricultural
products of this country.
I would further urgently request that our minister to France be
instructed to insist in every way possible for the early removal of the
present restrictions on our animal products.
I have, etc.,
