New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-02
FRANCE TO THE FORE.


Whatever else has or has not been done in
Europe during this Eastern crisis, the power and
prestige of France among the nations have been
markedly increased. No stronger evidence of
that could be desired than was offered by Lord
Salisbury, when he referred Parliament to the
speech of the French Foreign Minister for an
exposition of British policy. That was an an
nouncement that Great Britain was following
the lead Of France, a most unusual thing IN
these latter years. Since then France has been
figuring more and more prominently In the Con-
cert. At the present time 1t Is in Paris that talk
of Intervention and of peace is centred, and 1t Is
from the DUAL dorsey that the Sultan receives
his warning not 10 proceed too far in his inva-
sion of Greece. Whether that warning was the
warning of France alone, or of the great Powers
speaking through he-, does not so greatly mat
ter The voice was the voice Of France and
it was and is the most commanding in all the
concerted babel-clamor.
1t Is well that this should be so. The voice of
the French Government is the voice Of the peo-
pie more than that of any other great Power in
Europe Great Britain herself not excepted. That
is largely because foreign as well as domestic
policies are subject to consideration. review ana
control by the Chamber Of Deputies The sys-
TEN has its disadvantages There are some
questions which it is embarrassing to exploit in
town meeting But it has also its advantages.
A town meeting in a civilized town is not likely
to formulate or to approve policy Of nfamy.'
There are times when ii is desirable TO get down
to elemental principles, perhaps TO elemental pas
sions if they be passions for truth and liberty
and justice
When that is to be done there is no Power in
Europe more worthy TO be intrusted with the
task than France. True, she has made mis-
takes: as what Power has not? True. she once
''got drunk on blood to vomit crime. as most
other nations have done at some time. True,
she is sensitive, emotional, capricious; in word
what cynics are wont to call feminine; which
is. on the whole, certainly no worse than to be
stod and apathetc. But, beyond all that,
France has for centuries been above all other
Continental Powers the Light of Europe. She
has done in the last century more than have all
the rest Of them put together for human freedom
and the advancement Of the best interests Of the
race She stands to-day, beyond all challenge,
the supreme leader of the Continent in that
progress which Is not measured merely by geo.
graphical surveys and census figures.
1t Is fitting that such a Power should be n
leader and ii Is desirable that her allies should
be those most in harmony with her spirit and
most in sympathy with her aims. France Is not
to be censured for making an alliance with
Russia, since no other then seemed possible.
But by this time she must recognize the incon-
gruty and the futility of it. She sees the League
of the Three Emperors being re-established; Rus
sla coquetting with Frances enemy, and Ger
many and Austria sacrificing Italy after the lat
ter has almost ruined herself for their sake.
Surely, the moral Of the situation should be
plain. Birds of a feather flock together" De
mocracy and de'potism are not appropriate
mates On one side are combining the three I'M
progressive, reactonary Powers, still welded to
the doctrine of the divine right of kings. 1t
would be glorious thing If the other three would
likewise combine, the three Powers of light and
progress and the rights of man. Nor could there
be a more suspicious moment for such draw
ing together than this. in which the power and
prestige of F-ance are greater than ever before
in this generation. and when even the rival Of
whom she has been most Jealous and most sus-
piciOus is manifcSting readiness for il. and, In
deed. is actually following her lead