Mr. Vignaud to Mr. Olney.
Paris, February 26, 1897. (Received March 10.)
Sir: Your telegram in reply to my No. 633, concerning the proposed increase of duty on foreign pork products, was received yesterday morning. A few hours after I met M. Hanotaux and told him of the instructions I had received, and in order to remove from his mind any idea that we were endeavoring to exercise any undue pressure upon him before the French Government had taken a stand in the matter I said that, although your instructions were not intended to be communicated to him, I would send him unofficially a literal translation of the telegram containing them, which would enable him to judge for himself of the considerate and friendly spirit in which they were couched.
[Page 129]The same day I sent the translation of your cable, and as there is an interpellation on the question in the Chamber fixed for to-morrow I added to my note of transmittal a few remarks on the fallacy of the argument made by the advocates of the proposed law that foreign importations of pork products had caused a great decline in the prices of home products of the same sort, whereas it is shown by the recent statistical reports that such importations have declined since 1894, and that the falling off in prices complained of is simply the result of overproduction.
I also called the minister’s attention to an intimation that it was intended to propose the organization, in France, of a service of microscopical examination inspection of all imported pork products which, if adopted, would not only add to the already heavy duty levied on these products, but would, as far as the United States are concerned, be contrary to our understanding with the French Government that American pork products which are to be exported to France will not be permitted to be shipped without having been previously microscopically examined and stamped accordingly by Government inspectors.
I shall inform the Department of the result of to-morrow’s interpellation, in case it should amount to anything.
I inclose a copy of your telegram mentioned above.
I have, etc.,