Evening star., 1898-07-30
.HERCHANGE OF FRONT
France Anxious to Secure America s
Friendship Again.
THE DESIRE In OFFICIAL CIRCLES
It is Said Public Opinion Here Has
Been Mistaken.
THE FRENCH NEWSPAPERS

Copyright. 1893. by the Associated Press)
PARIS. July 3O.-There Is a strong desire
in French official circles to bring about a
complete resumption of the pleasant rela-
tiCns with the United States which existed
previous to the trouble between Spain and
America and which were disturbed by
French newspaper utterances- 1t is point
ed out that the nearer the Spanish-Ameri-
can war comes to a close the clearer it is
to sober-minded Frenchmen that public
opinion in America has been mistaken in
regard to the real opinion and feeling of
France toward the Cnited States. 1t is
added that in spite of what written
in the newspapers here or discussed in So
ciaI circles when the war began, no doubt
entertained anywhere in France as
TO the result of the hostfHties. The weak
ness and inferiority of Spain were so evil
dent that, it is claimed here, it would be
unfair now to assert that the American
victories have caused a change of public
opinion in France, and that the French
newspapers today think 1t wiser 10 favor
the conGueror-
The French Newspapers.
In explanation of the tone of the French
press toward the United States it is said
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 i'm
preston that the French papers were hos
tile to the United States and favorable
Spain is due 70 the fact that only the less
sensible part of the French was quoted in
the cable dispatches. while such papers as
the Journal des Debats. the Figaro and
the Temps and some others have not ia
voIed either side in the war and have fur
ntsEed their readers with honest accounts
of the different features of the hostilties
Continuing iS hat of
the leading representatives of the French
press were interviewed during the war and
their statements left no room for doubling
that they entertained a cordial feeling to-
ward the United States. while French bus
mess men who were similarly interviewed
were even more emphatic in their express
sions Of friendship toward America.
Finally. the Frenchmen say that the re-
cent celebration of the Fourth of July here
Was the occasion of bringing forth addi-
uonal proof of the cordial feeling enter
tained here toward Americans. At the
banquet of the American chamber of COM
merCe there were many prominent French
men present, including some of the high
est state officials and NJ Maruejoule the
minister of commerce, speaking for the
French government, said:
He Spoke for France.
I'VE have been told that far away on the
other side of the Atlantic there are tnosA
Who have listened to calumniators in
France who asserted that France was for
getful of her duty ard that we have be-
come not only adversaries. but, according to
some reports. even discourteous towards
america protest against such i'm
preston NJ word is sufficient to iispel
sub ridiculous idea. and / hope that the
echo Of what 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 sentiments of
France toward America But il this is not
sunelent' let me assure your countrymen
that not day. not an hour, not a minute
fas elapsed during which the harmony
that exists between US has ever run the
risk Of being broken. France has always
been for yoT 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 reciprocal relations.''
Z This statement of the French minister of
commerce is reproduced here as it is being
freely used by Frenchmen in their argu-
ments tending to prove that France has
not Deen unIriendly 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 countries" and that the
frenchmen Of today are not led by clerical
considerations nor by the theory OF the
so-caDed Latin races" which, it is further
asserted, is no longer taken seriously by
any sensible man.
Semi-OmcIaI Statement
From semi-officiaI source the following
statement was made:
/ From a commercial point of view.
France is as much interested in American
as in Spanish trade. and. consequently, she
mas no reason to jeopardize her friendly re-
iations with the United States. Still, she
IeeIs sympathy for her unfortunate neigh.
Dor and rejoices heartily at the fact that
peace Is to be arranged and that the French
ambassador, NJ Cambon, has been the mes
serser OF peace sent by Spain to America.
a n torn
De arranged, the French government and
public opinion in France are perfectly
aware that the United States will no longer
be satisfied with the mere Independence of
Cuba. considering that the war has cost
her considerable Sacrifices. Consequently
the French press, especially the Journal
oes !'eoats ana the Temps, are already TAX
ing into account that important element in
the settlement Of peace They only hope
that America VIII not clam 700 much. Not
that France feels envious, III view of the
increasing power of the United States but
simply because 200 onerous conditions on
the Part Of America would make peace
olflcult. In TACT, it deserves to be pointed
out that France ElOeS not make any obiec-
ton to the United States increasing either
Its strength CT its dominions. The reason
Tor quiet feclirg Cf France in this mat
ter is that she is Convinced that if such an
increase IN any Yay threatens any Euro
pean power she is not that power. Even
the annexation Of Hawaii which gives to
the United States important position in
In the slightest degree; her possessions in
America beinS small and Ininportant con-
slsung only OF some little islands and
french Guiana Therefore she feels sure
Jnat the Americans, wnOm she considers to
be practical people, will never think of
having trouble with Il great European n
power for such a trifiing obiecI
As TO the Philippines, if those islands
are TO be lost to Spain. France as the ruler
OF Indo-Chira, would probably prefer hav-
ing the Americans as next doO- neighbors
instead or any European or Asiatic power
consequently, what France wants so
iat as the United States are concerned, is
caly proper consideration of her CONNER
car interests In that respect she has been
thoroughly reassured by the willingness the
American government displayed on the oc-
casion OF The last commercial agreement
sc she Is full OF confidence IN the FUTURE
one OF the features OF a new hospital
building In Berlin is to be a large room in
which patients suffering from lung diseases
can breathe air artificially impregnated