Mr. Eustis to Mr.
Sherman.
Embassy
of the United States,
Paris, March 8, 1897.
(Received March 23.)
No. 649.]
Sir: Referring to Mr. Vignaud’s No. 642,
informing the Department of the action he had taken upon receiving the
telegram of February 24
[Page 130]
concerning the bill introduced in the Chamber of Deputies for the
increase of the import duties on pork products, I now send a copy and
translation of M. Hanotaux’s reply to Mr. Vignaud’s communication.
It is friendly in tone and gives the assurance that no hasty action will
be taken and that the French Government will always be disposed to
discuss in the same sentiment expressed by us its commercial interests
with the United States.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
649.—Translation.]
Mr. Hanotaux to
Mr. Vignaud.
Mr. Chargé d’affaires: I hastened to
communicate to the president of the council and minister of
agriculture, as soon as I received it, that is, on the 27th of
February last, the letter you addressed to me on the 25th of
February.
I thank you for having been kind enough to communicate to me the
telegram which Mr. Olney addressed to you, and I have no need to
tell you that you will always find the French Government disposed to
discuss, in the same sentiments you express, its commercial
interests with a friendly nation.
I made good note of the considerations which present as to what
concerns the inspection of meats.
If you have taken the trouble to read the account rendered of the
debates of the Chamber, you will have remarked the indications given
by M. Meline in regard to the great development of production of
which you had on your side pointed out the influence in the
depreciation of prices.
The solution which was given to the discussion by the adoption of the
order of the day pure and simple, accepted by the Government,
appears, besides, of a nature to calm the impressions which this
debate has inspired. The declarations of the president of the
council can not but reassure you against the eventuality of any
hasty resolution and which did not take into account the interests
of our commerce with the United States.
Please accept, etc.,
