National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-15
FrencI, Scientists Views.
To The Editor Of The Republican:


The following is the translation of q
letter dated January Is, from a French gentleman
a scientist, at present in the interior of France
who has resided for years in the United States and
will return in few months 10 make this country
his home. He is not connected in any manner
withthe Nicaragua Company. His ideas and Opin-
ions viii be read with interest:
Il see that nothing has Yet been done by your
Government 10 show the French government its
error in protecting the financial projects of NJ de
Lesseps. 1t IS 4 grave error TO leave the United
States Minister at Paris without Instructions under
the pretext that the French government does not
interfere in favor OF NJ de LeSScpS. From the very
first day of his projects the French government
declared itself in his favor, giving special leaves
OF absence to Frenzy navy officers (WySe and
Reclus), 10 a mining engineer tBOutanl and to an
engineer of roads and bridges all employees of the
government, and Of whom VI. de LeSScpS has taken
care to proclaim their official character More
over, the French government gave him the cross
OF the Legion of Honor TO distribute at will ::
finally the French government has the pOwerto re-
fuse that The shares be quoted at the B0urse.
All these facts are sufficient for the Secretary of
State 10 write TO Minister Moves TO read his views
and leave copy with the Secretary of Foreign
Affairs i'll France. These actions of the French
government are not friendly toward the United
States but the contrary and any action on the part
OF the French government would have arrested or
will still arrest, all Of the maneuYres of NJ de
LessepS.
4 wrote an article for the newspapers a fort
night previous TO the subscription, when NJ. de
LcSsepS put ont his prospectus and handbills. in
Oiaer 10 1OTeWaTn the French people that there
was IN America Nicaragua company. All of the
papers TO whom sent my article refused to pub
fish il, as they had all been bought nm by N de
LeS>cps, who subsidized them; he spent 100000
francs Ior this purpose. The intelligent public did
not lalI into VI. de LessepS' trap, but the masses
VINO save and have money were caught: it could
not be otherwise after the great drum beating of
N qe Les>elS, the support of the Suez Canal and
Oi lie French government.
IN France there is a great deal of cant. For
merry u was military; now it is humanitarian.
They affect to work in the interest of humanity
" de LcsSeps knows very well the weak and sell
iish vanity Of the French people Formerly, l
i very much esteemed NJ dc LeSseps: now | CON
s9cr him the greatestliar and charlatan know
Very little action on the part of your Govern
ihIt would be necessary to appTise public opinion
III france. For long time France has avoided
any ulpIomatic complications. \ slight expression
Gl dlspeis;lrc TO the government of France would
nave an extraordinary effect and it is necessary
mat II should be done The action of Mr. ThGmp-
son, eX-SccrctaTy of the Navy, has given NJ. de
I@SSeIS great power. He says American officials
are ioT sale and can be bought, as formerly in
Egypt he bought the Pachas and Khediye."