New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-06
SIAM IN PARIS.
DISLIKE OF ENGLAND IS MANIFEST.
in December

Paris, July 23.
The troubles of France with Siam may lead
10 nothing serious: but here in Paris they have
stirred up certain peculiarly Partisan humors. IL
is to DO feared that these will not be transmitted
through the ordinary English channels for the
communication of French news. The English
ALWAYS take seriously everything which touches
their Indian Empire and commerce. They can
never appreciate the versatile lightness of French
antics at their expense.
The truth is that the excitement about the
Land of the White Elephant has come just in
time for everybody. The Government is glad
to have something to stimulate French Chauvinism
{" Jingosm' y and to draw the minds of the peo-
pie away from too much interest in the general
elections of August 20. The people clad to
have any excitement at all during the dull season
even after Panama they find it hard to keep up
any lively interest in home politics. An American
finds this strange when he remembers that in
three weeks time general elections throughout
the country will determine the whole adminstra-
ton of France for more than foursycars.
Siam and the English are safe subjects all
round for the fireworks Of French wit and en-
element This is not always the case. Tie late
war in Dahomey was good safcty-valve, under
control of the Government, for spirits undrly
heated by the Panama disclosures But when
General Dodds back. in all the glory OF sue
cess care was taken that he should have no
public reception. He l. too much like another
conuuering hero who was 10 come riding
into Paris on his black horse At present the
Partisan public which cares only TO be amused,
can safely he trusted with any excitement which
will make the people shout for the Government
against "pcriidious Albion This also enables
the Ministry to give a clever turn TO the excite
mcnt caused by the publication Of papers supposed
to have been stolen from tho British Embassy
The popular dislike Of England has been grow
ing for many years. 1t is backed up by the
settled opinions OF business mon and politicians.
In the first place. the Fren n feel that they have
been cheated out of Egypt and all the fat plums
to be fad in the administration of that country.
Their resentment against the English Is mingled
with admiring envy and scarcely hidden desire
to pay them back in some other part of the world.
Next, a common idea prevails that France, by an
noying England in the East, can further tie in
terrsts Of Russia. Now the popular enthusiasm
for Russia shows no sign Of abating. Just as
the French Army is the only institution Mt home
which calls out tile full confidence OF the people.
SO the Franco Russian alliance Is at the root OF
all popular interest in foreign affairs Apart from
this, the French people Willing 10 remain what
they have always bcen-the self-sufliccnt, self
contented Chinese of Europe
Last Of all, the business men CT France are con-
WINGED that the extension Of their output for
home manufactures depends on the breaking down
Of English pr,dominancc in Eastern commerce.
Already the East Indian commerce Of France
amounts TO oneNft,snth Of the total expiration
and to more than twice rs much OF the imports
Now there is fixed idea that a victory over
Siam in the present matter VIII open 10 fr'nch
commerce a wide and exclusive roadway INTO
China Add to this that il VIII prov" cheek 10
English influence Oh the Burman frontier, whl1h
again VIII seriously he Up the Russians IN ther al
vance of the Pamirs. Finally, besides repay lhs
England for her uisdccds III Egypt, 1t VIA tIc
her hands In case shc should inclin" toward TIE
TRIBE Alliance Of the enemies Of France.
these points, in the abstract, ar" no secret 10
tho English press but you nowhere see apIrc-
ciated at its Just value the animus which ulcN
create in the breasts Of ordinary FrenciiInen f"r-
cigncrs are slow TO recognize the vital chang"
growing up in these last few years OF the re
public, which, weak and corrupt as it may nave
been, is the only possible government for France
Politics has become a bore TO the people; pa'flp'
ism is all abroad if anywhere; and the CONNER
cial spirit rules everything. 1t Is not TOO much
20 say that Frenchmcn, as nation, now care
little by whom or how they are governed, provided
two things f1ourish-the French Army ana french
trade Thus in spite OF spasnodic revolutions
the French people, under the Republic rs under
the Empire and the Monarchy, keep closer and
closer 10 the routine which has essentially pre-
vailed from the time Of Richclicu. France is for
herself against all the world.