The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-31
WILL BE HERE FOR THIRTY DAYS ONLY!

that the echo of what 1 say will be car
ried far from this banquet hall to the
other side of the Atlantic as an indignant
protest against the false reports as to the
sentiments of France towards America
But if this is not sufficient, let me assure
your countrymen that not a day. not an
hour, not minute has elapsed during
which the harmony which exists between
US has ever run the risk of being broken.
France has always been for yon a second
country and no one knows better than
your ambassador and a minister of the
French cabinet the degree of cordiality
manifested in connection with our rela-
tons
This statement of the French minister
of commerce is reproduced here, as it is
being freely used by Frenchmen in their
arguments tending to prove that France
has not been unfriendly TO the United
States in the war with Spain.
They also argue that there is no reason
why France should side with Spain. rs
during the century there has never been
any common ideal between the two cour-
tries" and that the Frenchmen of today
are not led by clerical considerations nor
''by the theory of so-called Latin races. -
which, il is further asserted, is no longer
taken seriously by any sensible man.
From a semi-official source the follow
ing statement was made:
From a commercial standpoint France
is as much interested in American as in
Spanish trade and consequently she has
no reason TO jeopardize her friendly rela-
tons with the United States. Still she
feels sympa thy for her unfortunate neigh
Dor and rejoices heartily at the fact that
peace is 10 be arranged and that the
French ambassador, NJ. Cambon, has been
the messenger of peace.
LAS 10 the terms upon which peace will
be arranged, the French government and
public opinion in France are perfectly
aware that the United States will TO
longer be satisfied with the mere indie
pendence OF Cuba, considering that the
war has cost her considerable. Conse-
quently the French press. especially the
Journal des Debats and the Temps. are
already taking into account that import
ant eIemen; in the settlement Of peace
They only hope that America won't Ga IN
too much. Not that France feels envious
in view Of the increasing power OF the
United States, but simply because too
onerous conditions on the part OF Amer
lea would make peace difficult. IN fact.
il deserves to be pointed out that France
does not make any objection TO the United
States increasing either its strength o.
its douiuions The reason for a quiet
feeling of France in this matter is that
she is convinced that II such an increase
7 any way threatens any European pow
er. she IS not that power. Even the ar
nexation q Hawaii. which gives % ne
United States an important possession IN
the Pacific. has not disturbed France in
the slightest degree. her possessions -
America being small and unimportant.
consisting OF some lNtle islands and
French Guiana. Therefore she feds s1ye
that the Americans. whom she considers
70 be q practical people. wiz never think
OF having trouble FOR such t-iflng objects
As 70 ,he Philippines. Il chose Islands are
los, 10 Spain. France. as the ruler q I7so-
China. would probably prefer having .he
Americans as aext-doo- ne.Chbo-s instead
Of any European or Astaoc powa-
Consequently wis: France wants. 50
far as the United States IS concerned.
IS Only a proper consideration u her com
mercial interests In that respect she has
been thoroughly treasured by the willing
ness the American government displayed
on the occasion o. ,he last c0mmerc.s}
INCREMENT 80 she IS fun OF confidence II
.ha sst.s,re-'