Mr. Reid to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Paris, December 11, 1891.
(Received December 22.)
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.,
[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.
Done at Paris
this 3d day of
December, 1891.
Carnot.
By the President of the Republic:
The Minister of Commerce, of Industry, and the Colonies,
The Minister of Agriculture,
[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.
Done at Paris
December 4,
1891.
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.
Done at Paris, December 4,
1891.
Carnot.
By the Presidentof the Republic:
Jules
Develle, Minister of
Agriculture.
Jules Roche, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and the
Colonies.
Rouvier, Minister of Finance.
