Report of the British Chamber of Commerce in Paris. (A.
Schiffer, Paris.)—There are, of course, many interesting things in this pamphlet. At the top of the list may be put the figures relating to the imports and exports into and from France. Generally France stands in much the same position as we do. She imports more than she exports, though the difference is nothing like so great as it is with the United Kingdom. In 1898 imports stood at .175,000,000, and exports at £140,000,000, whereas our figures are £451,000,000 imports, and £294,000,000 exports. In round numbers the French proportion is five to four, ours three to two. (The British figures are for 1897, the French for 1898.) There was a serious diminution in Anglo-French trade in 1898, as compared with 1897, especially marked in the latter part of the year, and caused, it cannot be doubted, by the Fashoda business. Exports from France to England diminished by more than three millions and a half, the chief articles being in this order,—sugar, woollen goods, silk goods, mil- linery, wool, wood, butter, wines, and eggs. Almost the whole of the diminution in the French exports is accounted for by these figures. The imports of English goods into France have diminished, but only by a trifling sum. It is significant that woollen goods lost £100,000, while wool gained £416,000. It is satisfactory to find that the French Customs have been admonished by the Government to behave better in the matter of certificates of origin. The fear of retaliation has been the motive power.
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