Mr. Reid to Mr. Blaine.

No. 460.]

Sir: On the 5th instant I sent yon a dispatch announcing the President’s promulgation of the French law fixing the duties on pork and of the two decrees issued the following day (December 4) which withdrew the long-standing prohibition of American pork and provided for its admission into France after American and French inspections. I now send a copy of these documents with a translation of the same.

The long chapter of correspondence relating to American pork in France is thus closed. It has lasted over ten years, has taxed the efforts of this legation under three of my predecessors as well as myself, and has involved negotiations with nine French ministers of foreign affairs. Gen. Noyes entered our first protests against the prohibitory decree of Mr. Tirard, issued by Mr. Grévy on February 18, 1881, addressing them to Mr. Barthélemy St. Hilaire, then minister of foreign affairs. From 1882 to 1885 Mr. Morton wrote on the same subject successively to five ministers of foreign affairs, Mr. de Freycinet, Mr. Gani-betta, Mr. Fallières, Mr. Challemel Lacour, and Mr. Jules Ferry. Governor McLane carried on the effort to get this decree removed, with Mr. de Freycinet and Mr. Flourens; and I have had continuous correspondence and personal negotiation on the subject throughout nearly three years with Mr. Spuller and Mr. Ribot. The prohibition was originally imposed during the administration of President Hayes. It has lasted through those of President Garfield, President Arthur, and President Cleveland, and more than half way through the present administration of President Harrison.

On the 27th of November 1883, Mr. Morton obtained from Mr. Jules Ferry a decree withdrawing the prohibition, but the Chamber immediately passed a resolution calling upon the government to suspend the operation of its act, and this was done within a month.

The present government has been ready to withdraw the prohibitory decree since September, 1890, but it was resolved not to place itself in the position, of having so just and proper a measure again reversed by a vote of either Chamber. On my suggestion, therefore, it asked first for a separate bill fixing such a duty on pork as the deputies and senators might think consistent with the duties on other articles contemplated in their new tariff, and it gave open notice in both Chambers that it did this with the intention of removing the prohibition. The bill was passed after heated debates, with this distinct understanding, and there seems, therefore, no reason now to apprehend that the action of the government in withdrawing the prohibition can again be reversed.

I have to thank you for the extreme liberty given me in conducting the negotiations and for the firm support I have constantly received.

I have, etc.,

Whitelaw Reid.
[Page 163]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 460.—Translation.]

Extract from Journal Officiel, December 3, 1891.

The Senate and Chamber of Deputies hare adopted;

The President of the Republic promulgates the law the reading of which is as follows:

Sole Article: Schedule A, tariff of entry of the general custom-house tariff, established by the law of May 7, 1881, is amended as follows:

Salted pork, hams, and bacon, 25 francs per 100 kilos.

The present law, debated and adopted by the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, will be applied as a State law.


Carnot.

By the President of the Republic:

The Minister of Commerce, of Industry, and the Colonies,

Jules Roche.

The Minister of Agriculture,

Jules Develle.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 460.—Translation.]

Decree of December 4, 1891.

The President of the French Republic, on the report of the minister of agriculture;

In view of the decrees of the 18th February, 1881, and of the 28th December, 1883, by which American pork was excluded;

In view of the sanitary inspection now provided by the Government of the United States for pork intended for export;

In view of the opinions expressed by the ministers of foreign affairs, of finance, of the interior, and of commerce and industry,

Decrees as follows:

Article 1. Salted pork meats from the United States can be imported into France at points to be fixed by subsequent decree.

Article 2. Before discharge of cargo, the importers must produce for each shipment a certificate from the United States for the inspection of the slaughters-houses, certifying that the meats are from healthy animals and suitable for human food.

The boxes must bear the officical stamp of this inspector.

No shipment can be admitted which does not comply with these requirements.

Article 3. After their discharge thete meats shall be examined by sanitaiy inspectors appointed by the minister of agriculture, and instructed to make sure of their healthy condition and of their being properly salted.

All meat found unwholesome shall be destroyed in the presence of these inspectors.

Article 4. The custom-house shall permit the meats mentioned in article 1 to enter the territory of the Republic only after seeing the certificate of the inspectors provided for by article 3, certifying th at the meats have been found to be healthy and suitable for public consumption.

Article 5. The expenses of the inspection prescribed by article 3 shall be paid by the importers, according to a tax fixed by a decree issued on the proposal of the minister of agriculture, on the advice of the consultation committee on epizoötics.

This tax shall be paid to the custom-house collectors.

Article 6. The decrees of the 18th February, 1881, and of the 28th December, 1883, are repealed, as well as all other regulations which may be in conflict with the present decree.

Article 7. The minister of agriculture, the minister of the interior, the minister of commerce, industry, and the colonies, and the minister of finance are intrusted with the execution of the present decree, which will go into effect on the 1st January, 1892.


Carnot.

By the President of the Republic:
Develle, Minister of Agriculture.
Constans, Minister of the Interior.
Jules Roche, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and the Colonies.
Rouvier, Minister of Finance.

[Page 164]

The President of the French Republic, on the report of the minister of agriculture;

In view of the decree of this day authorizing the importation into France of meats of American origin, and especially of article 1 of said decree;

In view of the opinions expressed by the ministers of foreign affairs, of finance, of the interior, of commerce, industry, and the colonies,

Decrees as follows:

  • Article 1. The importation of salted pork meats from the United States of America shall only take place by the ports of Dunkirk, Havre, Bordeaux, and Marseilles.
  • Article 2. The minister of agriculture, the minister of commerce, industry, and the colonies, and the minister of finance are intrusted with the execution of the present decree.


Carnot.

By the Presidentof the Republic:
Jules Develle, Minister of Agriculture.
Jules Roche, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and the Colonies.
Rouvier, Minister of Finance.