The San Francisco call., 1898-05-16
SYMPATHY WITH AMERICA

n OPULAR opinion in this country Is about per l kI suaded that French sympathy is almost who'll, on the side of Spain and against us in ths present This conclusion is founded reports of articles in the Parsian press, teegraphed to the United States, and to that extent is fully justified
 It appears, however that the press of Paris does not thoroughly represent France, and that have among the French body of synpathizers, less noisy but not less strong than that which so vocerously up holds the Spanish.
 A large number of persons of French birth or descent are residents Of the United States and all o them have greater less number of relatives or friends in France It is inevitable that the influence of the American French should be felt in the old country and 1t is the stronger because of the senti mental tie which has bound the people of the two nations together through the memory of the aid given by France to the United States in the days of the revolution
 There is another motive, less lofty and less senti- mental which incines the French to hold friendly relations with us. It springs from the desire of all classes of the people to make the international ex- position of 1900 complete triumph from every point of view, and that could hardly be accomplished if the United States were antagonized to such an extent as to induce her citizens to ignore the enterprise and take no part in 1t. We have, therefore, sympathy arising from the pockebook we'll one of the heart, and the two co>lbined constitute a force of sentiment hardly less potent than that which eon- trols the Parisian press
 The instincts of the French people as mass are always the side of humanity and liberty. They are too proud of the glorious achievements of their revolution to have natural sympathy with a des- potic monarchy against struggling people, and therefore, under ordinary circumstances would sup port the United States in its efforts establish the independence of Cuba and the liberty of its people haDDens. at 1arOe nfirob of h capitalists hold Spanish bonds, and these have been powerful enough to induce the newspapers of Paris to nisrepresent the issue. Thus false i'm pression IS given to the people of both countries We are persuaded that the French people regard with hostility and the French persuaded that we are nation of aggressive bulles seeking deprive Spain of her territory for the qualification of greed for conquest
 Sooner or later these misconceptions will pass away from both sides. Our cause is just that civilized people long refrain from synpathizing with Its objects. Nor will the American people re-
 main for any great time under the impression that the democratic instincts of France have been subverted by new born love for Spanish monarchy, or by commercial interest in Spanish bonds The French press is brilliant and potent but it is not France.
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 At last ex-Banker Spalding of Chicago is in the penitentiary To get him there consumed more time than should have been devoted to the purpose. He rests under the uncertain doom of an 'indeternln- ate sentence What this may be is not understood out here but it is probably something which will last until some tender hearted Governor happens to be in power.
 There is some talk of second call for volunteers and ii It come the response will be as prompt and enthusiastic as it to the first
 The boys in camp at the Presidio would have had everything they needed if San Francisco had under stood Ill advance that it being depended upon to supply it. Now the people of the city devot- ing their energies to catching up.
 By killing the men the Winsow the Spanish have added to long which they are destined to pay with interest The action of suspected Spanish spy in Washing ton in hanging himself will be accepted a plea of guilty.