New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-15
GENERAL GRINT md THE FRENCH.
CORRECTION OF \ FALSE IMPEE SION CON-
CORNING HIS ATTITUDE IN THE TER
RIFLE YEAp'


RIELE YEAR"
An early number of the Revue 10 Paris" tho
new Paris bmonthly edited by James Darmesteter
of the College OF France. and Louis Cambria the
Wel!-known French critic. is to contain rather
curious historical monograph from tn" psn Of Theo
dore Stanton. entitled 'Ln Genera. Grant Q. Ia
France An opinion prevails in France tia, Gen
eral Grant during the of 1901 was friendly
to Germany and hostile to the French. 1t is said
among other things that after each German VIC
tory Grant sent King William cab.egram OF con
graduation" tina; he. occasion. toasted the
German Emperor in honor Of his having vanquished
France" that without cause. ne
OF the mortal enemies Of France" etc.
Mr.. Stanton has investigated this 'in,erna-
tional misunderstanding and finds that it
rests solid basis In sustaining his thesis. h.
publishes severa. interesting letter. from General
sherman. Hamilton Fish. George Bancroft f.. II.
washburnc. John Russell Young. Bancroft Davis
and other Americans who were either close per-
sona friends of Grant or prominent actors IN public
life during the period OF the Franco-ciermar
struggle.
Sherman, who at the time was at the heal OF the
United States Army, says: During our civil War.
when struggling for liberty agains, slav-
cry. the French Government engaged IN es-
,ablishing an en- pire in Mexico. Grant in this
Intervention an unfriendly act. II not OF de-
clared hostility. and | have heard him say that our
Civil War should not come TO end TIL the French
were forced 10 quit Mexico. He would have beer
ready 20 march his victorious army against Ba-
zanc If the objec; in view had not been attained
by diplomacy. Grant never attributed this action
to the French people. but 10 Louis Napoleon.
Mr.. Young writes: General Grant had strong
aversion for the Bonaparte family. and more es-
peciay for the first Bonaparte. This feeling was
strong that while in Paris he refused TO visit
the tomb of Napoleon I at the Invaliies and when
the Prince Imperial expressed a desire 10 meet him
he dec'i ned he he
times stated wish make the acquaintance OF
Victor Hugo The interview was 10 be arranged by
NJ. Clemenceau- Bat the poet refused to see HIM
saying that he considered Grant TO be the enemy
OF France, and that ne had written poem TO that
o CRAM anl n tbe extiiemcn of his Pari1 VII
the whole matter escaped his mind" Thus. at the
meet General Grant the latter Vas turning MS back
on the uncle AMI son Of him who. At the time OF
Mr. Washburne. who was OF Grants most
Intimate friends and who REPRESENTED the United
During all my relations with General Grant !
never heard him express sentiment or pronon2ce
a single word which was not friendly ana ainiahl-
Hamilton Fish Grants Secretary OF STATE for
Germany is true; but am convinced that his al,
that which he had FOR Germany never heard him
say anything which would lead one 10 supp 50 ina;
he entertained preference FOR one more than for
the other During the Franco-German war our
converse tons on this subject were ne,etsart VrIy
FOR one or the other Ct the two nations | never
discovered IT, Al that time some % the German
United Sta,-- accused mr. o' haN-
ing a leaning toward France be ause he permit"i
tina; country 10 buy arms freely In the United
States !; Is absurd. ridiculous. TO suppose
that General Grant sent a letter OF fcc!taton 70
tories. /! he had done IL would have Kept MN
pretty busy. until such letters or telssrams are
| produced ! shall remain firmly convinced thar they
| do not exist, ever have existed
George Bancroft's letter on this point would ap-
pear to be decisive Here IL IL: 1T Is absolutely
false that General Grant sent kilograms OF fAcita-
ton TO the King OF Prussia every tme the French
! lost a battle. then Minister % the United
| States Berlin and no such kilograms were ever
received at the Legation Furthermore have had
examination made at the Stat" Department
archives and the Secretary OF State assures that
nothing OF the kind can Do found there
| There Is also d letter from Bancroft DAVIS. As
sistant Secretary OF State In ls07l. which SAYS:
Grant was essentially an American. and his sym
pathies and affections were given without stint 10
| his own country and 10 no other As President his
course during the OF 1870 was strictly neutral
II he departed from that line. II was the Ray
| when ne permitted the sale and embarKation OF a
{ surplus Of Government arms 10 agents OF the
! French Government"
| Mr. Stanton closes his article with these words:
1T IL evident that there Is no solid foundation
for the legend spread throughout France By news
papers and biogra piers concerning Grants rea tons
| with Germany and France during their war. French
journalists and authors are In honor bound. there
fore. revise hasty judgment. formed during the
terrible period OF 1S70-7 and to 10 all In their power
| to up unfounded prejudice which exists in
the mind Of whole people. against great citizen
| OF friendly Nation"