The sun., 1893-08-06
Why the French Hate the English.

Those who have been inclined to under
ratio the dangers OF a war between France
and England during the last two weeks,
may do well to ponder on an incident re-
ported in despatch from Bangkok. 1t has
for some time been known that the feeling
OF animosity entertained by tho French
against the English is emphasized among
the Fronch civil officers at Saigon, and
among the officers and seamen OF tho French
fleet stationed of Siam. Amid such inflam-
mable material it needed but a spark to
cause blaze. Such spark was near being
applied tho othcr day. when. it seems. the
French Runboat Lyon steamed down. with
crew at quarters and guns out. upon a
British cruiser which happened to be lying
outside tho blockade line. We are told that
the British Captains GOODNESS and prudence
averted an armed conflict. But suppose that
he, naturally eXasperated at the threaten
ing demonstration had opened fire on the
French gunboat and destroyed her. It Is
probable that the rest OF the French fleet,
wrought to fury by the spectacle. would
have combined to overpower the British
vessel. and thus two countries would have
been plunged in war: for. although the
French would have been In tho wrong, as
having begun the contest. no French Min
istry willing to apologize and offer proper
Indemnity could have held Office for an hour,
That's TO say. collision which. under other
circumstances, could have been arrested at
the outset. or have been afterward explain
cd away. might have had disastrous conse-
quences. owing to the enmity with which
Englishmen are viewed by Frenchmen.
For such traditional aversion there is am
pie ground: indeed. it may be doubted
whether any country ever had more cause
to dislike another than France has to dislike
England. Not even yet have Frenchmen
entirely forgotten the Hundred Years War,
during which the greater part Of their coun-
try was laid waste by the English invaders.
who actually had their sovereign crowned
King OF France In Paris. For centuries Eng
land was mistress OF provinces that were
deemed jewels OF the French Crown; and
she kept foothold on French soil at Calais
until the middle Of the sixteenth century.
Throughout the wars Of religion In France,
the part played by the English, although
Justified by sympathy for their fellow Prot
estants could not fail to deeply embltter
the Catholic majority. Again, England.
under WILLIAM III. aud ANNE. was the soul
~>~>~~'s'NN'
ing plans o: LOUIS XIV. 1t was England, too.
Chat combined with Austria to defend the
Austrian Netherlands against Marshal
BAKE; and she was an ally of Prussia at The
time when FREDERICK the Great defeated
the French ut Rosbaoh. Twice she ami
hilRted the French navy. namely, IN the
Seven Years War and In tho wars against
NAPOLEON. She drove the legions OF Ma
9onEoS from Spain. and even French his
torians agree that the Emperor's downfall
is attributable mainly to her implacable
hostility. Itwas at the hands OF an Eng
hsh General that he met irreparable defeat
ut Waterloo. and IL was In an English island
that he died o captive. In 1880 France
wanted Belgium. and might have got IL
had not England interfered. A little later
LOUIS PHIhPPE wished to marry one
OF his sons to the young Queen OF
spain. ISABELLA H.: but here. too.
England interposed veto. II. finally, tho
loss OF territory bo accounted puiticient
WARRANT for national enmlty. France has J