Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-07-31

4 WISHES TO RESTORE THIN FORMER
FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH UN-
Gle SAM--A MINISTER MAKES A
VIGOROUS PRoTEsT-M MARUo-
JOULE DECLARES THERE NEVER
WAS AN HOUR DURING WHICH
THE HARMONY BETWEEN THE
TWO GOVERNMENTS RAN THE
RISK OF BEING BROKEN.
Copyright, Associated Press.)
Paris, July 30.-There is strong de-
sire In French official circles to bring
about a complete resumption of the
pleasant relations with the United
States which existed previous to the
trouble between Spain and America,
and which were disturbed by French
newspaper utterances. 1t is pointed
out that the nearer the Spanish-Ameri-
can war comes to 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 towards the Uni
ted States. 1t is added that in spite of
what was written in the newspapers
here or discussed in social circles when
the war began no doubt was entertain
>ed anywhere in France as to the result
of the hostilities. The weakness and
inferiority of Spain were SO evident
that, it is claimed here, it would be I'M
fair now to assert that the American
victories have caused change of pub
lie opinion in France and that the
French newspapers to-day think it
wiser to favor the conqueror.
In explanation of the tone of the
French press towards 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 impression that
the French newspapers were hostile to
the United States and favorable to
Spain is due to the fact that
ONLY THE LESS SENSIBLE
part of the French press was quoted in
the cable dispatches, while such pa
pers as the Journal Des Debats, the
Figaro and the Temps and some others
have not favored either side in the war
and have furnished their readers with
honest accounts of the different fea-
lures of the hostilities.
Continuing, it is argued that some
of the leading representatives of the
French press were interviewed during
the waS and their statements left no
room for doubling that they entertain
ed cordial feeling towards the United
States, while French business men who
w1re similarly interviewed were even
Rore emphatic in their expressions of
endship towards America.
Hinally, the Frenchmen say that the
pit celebration r. the Fourth of
here was the N Of bringing
y Enterta;a [rds Amer
a. 4. AZ tn1 banquet Of the American
chamber of Commerce there were
many prominent F'renchmen present,
including some of the highest State Of
ter of Commerce. speaking for the
French government, said:
eve have been told that far away
on Vie other side of the Atlantic there
are those who have listened to calum-
niators in France who asserted that
France was forgetful Of her duty and
that we have become not only advel
saries, but, according to some reports.
,yv.fo oyac A,,,n ri 7
protest against such an impression.
My word is sufficient to dispel such a
ridiculous idea, and I hope that the
echo of what | say will be carried far
from this banquet hall to the ether side
Of the Atlantic, as an indignant pro-
test
AGAINST THE FALSE REPORTS
as t. 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 d minute
has elapsed during which the harmony
which exists between us has ever run
the risk of being broken. France has
always been for your country, and no
one knows better than your Ambassa-
dor and Minister of the French Cab
met the degree Of cordially nantes
ted in connection with our reciprocal
relations"
This statement of the French Min
lister of Commerce is reproduced here
as it is being freely used by French
men in their arguments tending to
kove that France has not been I'M
endly to the United States in the
with SPAIN They also argue that
is no geason why France should
Iith66pain as during the present
1there has never been any
ideal between the two coun-
and that the Frenchmen of to-
mot led by clerical considera-
.sby the theory of the so
Gces,' which, it is further
longer taken seriously
lie man.
i-official source the fol-
ut was made:
mercial point of view,
much interested in
Spanish trade, and,
RfyIldI ~ has no reason To