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 I presume that you will easily understand that it would be very unseemly of me to answer your questions regarding the latest French laws affecting exportation of works of art, and, consequently; to criticise our Government.    It also seems unnecessary because you are evidently well-posted through the statement made by the President of the "Chambre Syndicale" which you published in your issue of November 20th. 
 I can, however, throw light on the deplorable working of said law and explain to you the hardships it may, and does, create. I refer to the selection of the person who has it in his power to decide which works of art, intended for the American market or purchased in France by Americans, will be permitted to be exported or not. To make such a decision possible, it it evident that all works of art, whether of supreme quality or simply dating back prior to 1830, whether of the above named quality or simply good, bad, or indifferent, must be examined.  Not only must such works of art be examined, but the Government requires complete information regarding date of purchase, name of the seller, price paid for such works of art and also the name of the purchaser if such works of art are already sold before exportation.
  If such data was requested and furnished to an examiner whose sole occupation was to comply with