The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-31
FRANCE GROWING FRIENDLY
AN OBVIOUS DESIRE TO CLIMB
INTO THE BAND WAGON

The Recent Utterances of the Paris
Press Detained In Official Cir
cles, Where 1T Is Pointed Out
That the United States Has AL
ways Commanded the Respect of
the Government of the Republic.
PARIS, July 3O.-There Is a strong
desire in French official circles to bring
about resumption Of the pleasant re-
lations with the United States which
existed previous to the trouble between
Spain and America, and which were
disturbed by French newspaper utter
ances. 1t Is pointed out that the near
err the Spanish American war comes
to close the clearer it is to sober
minded Frenchmen that public opinion
In America has been mistaken in re-
gard to the real opinion and feeling
Of France towards the United States.
1t is added that in spite Of what was
written in the newspapers here. or in
social circles when the war began, no
doubt was entertained anywhere In
France as to the result of the hostil-
tiles. The weakness and inferiority Of
Spain were so evident that it is claim
ed here that would be unfair now to
assert that the American victories have
caused a change of public opinion in
France and that French newspapers
today think it to be wiser to favor the
conQueror.
In explanation Of the tone of the
French press toward the United
States, 1t is said that the language
used by the newspapers at present is
in substance the same as used three
months ago, and that the reason the
American people have been under the
INN ccio hot
were hostile to the United States is
due to the fact that only the less sem
sible part Of the French press
was quoted in the cable dispatches,
while such papers as the Journal des
Debats. the Figaro and the Temps
and some others have not favored
either side and have furnished their
different features Of the hostilities
CORDIAL FEELING.
Continuing, it is argued that some Of
the leading representatives Of the
French press were interviewed during
the war, and their statements left no
room for doubling that they enter
tanned a cordial feeling towards the
United States, while French business
men who were similarly interviewed
were even more emphatic in their eX-
pressions Of friendship towards Amer
lea. Finally, the Frenchmen say that
the recent celebration of the Fourth of
July here was the occasion of bring
ing additional proof Of the cordial feel
Ing entertained among Americans. At
the banquet of the American chamber
or commerce there were many promi-
nent Frenchmen present, including
some of the highest state officials, and
nj. Maruojoule, the minister Of COM
merce, speaking for the French gov
ernment said:
other side Of the Atlantic there are
those who have listened to calumniat-
ors in French who asserted that France
was forgetful Of her duty, and that
we have become not only adversaries
but, according to some reports, even
d1scourteous towards America pro-
test against such an impression. My
word is sufficient to dispel such ridicu-
lous ideas, and I hope that the echo
Of what I say will be carried far from
this banquet hall to the other side Of
the Atlantic as an indignant protest
against the false reports as to the SEN
timents Of France towards America.
But if that is not sufficient, let me
assure your commission, not day,
not an hour, has elapsed during which
the harmony which exists between us
has ever run the risk of being broken.
France has always been for you Sec
ord country, and no one knows it bet
ter than your ambassador"
The statement Of the French minis
ter Of commerce Is reproduced here,
as it is being freely used by French
prove that France has not been I'M
friendly to the United States in the
war with Spain. They also argue that
there is no reason why France should
side with Spain, as during the present
century there has 'never been any
common ideal between the two coun-
tries" and that the Frenchmen of to-
day are not led by clerical considera-
lions nor by the theory Of the so-called
Latin races, which, 1t Is further as
serted, Is no longer taken seriously by
any sensible man.
SEMI OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
From a semi-oficial source the fol-
lowing statement was made:
From a commercial point Of view
France is as much interested in Amer
lea as in Spain, and consequently she
has no reason to jeopardize her friend
ly relations with the United States. She
feels sympathy for her unfortunate
neighbor and rejoices heartily at the
fact that peace is to be arranged and
that the French ambassador, M. Cam
bon, has been the messenger of peace
sent by Spain to America.
"As to the terms upon which peace
will be arranged, the French govern
ment are aware that the United States
will no longer be satisfied with the mere
independence of Cuba, considering that
the war has cost her considerable. Con-
seouently the French press, especially
the Journal des De Bates and the
Temps, are already taking into account
the important incident Of settlement.
Gwen the annexation Of Hawaii,
which gives to the United States an i'm
pcrtant possession in the Pacific ocean,
has not disturbed France, her possess
sions in America being small and unim-
portant, consisting of some little ISL
ands and French Guiana. Therefore,
she feels sure that the Americans,
whom she considers to be a peaceful
people, will never think of having
trouble with a great European power
for such a trifling object. AS to the
Philippines, if the islands are to be lost
to Spain, France would probably pre-
fer having the Americans as next door
neighbors instead Of any European or
Asiatic power.
consequently what France wants, 50
far as the United States are concerned
is only q proper consideration of her
commercial interests In that respect
she has been thoroughly treasured by
the Willingness the American govern
ment displayed on the occasion Of the
last commercial agreement, so she is
fuII of confidence In the future"