Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1909 — The Franco-American Tariff War. [ARTICLE]

The Franco-American Tariff War.

In compliance with the provision of the Payne tariff act the commercial convention between this country and France terminated Oct 80. One result of the abrogation of the agreements concluded In 1808 is to put into effect the maximum rates of the French tariff upon articles which under the agreement enjoyed minimum rates. If we should engage In a tariff war with France we would be at much of a disadvantage. Of course France Is not going to tax our raw cotton. But she will exclude our breadstuffs and provisions and take much less of our cotton oil. I It is Idle to talk of our people foregoing French luxuries because of the

price or to vindicate any tariff bill. Nor is that all. France is the world’s money lender and makes the rate of discount at London and Berlin, and that means much to every railroad or other corporation in our country. Ix“t us hope that the trade between the United States and France may not be curtailed, as it certainly would be so far as it concerns our exports if the threatened tariff war should come.