Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-08-03
FRANCE IS FRIENDLY.
Assures United States that it New
er Had Other than the Kind
lest Regards.


which existed previous to the trouble be-
tween Spain and America, and which
were disturbed by French newspaper ut
| terances. 1t is pointed out that the near
| er the Spanish-American war comes to a
close the clearer it is to sober minded
Frenchmen that public opinion in Amer
| lea has been mistaken in regard to the
real opinion and feeling of France to-
wards the United 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 entertained anywhere in France as
to the result of hostilities. The weak
ness and inferiority of Spain were so
evident that, it is claimed here, it would
be unfair now to assert that the Amer
lean victories have caused a change Of
public opinion in France and that the
French newspapers today think it wiser
to favor the cOnquerOr.
In explanation of the tone Of the French
press towards the United States it is said
that the language used by the newspa-
perS at present is in substance the same
as used three months ago. and that the
reason the American people have been I'M
der the impression that the French papers
were hostile to the United States and IA
Vorable to Spain is due to the fact that
only the less sensible part of the French
public opinion was quoted in the cable dis
patches, while such papers 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 diff
ferent features of the hostilities.
Continuing, 1t 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 entertained a cordial
fOv orIc no
French business men who were similarly
interviewed were-even more emphatic i'll
their expressions of friendship towards
America. Finally, the Frenchmen say
that the recent celebration of the Fourth
of July was the occasion of bringing forth
an additional proof Of the cordial feeling
entertained among Aulericans. At the
banquet of the American chamber of COM
merce there were many prominent French
mem present, including some of the high
est state officials, and NJ. Maruojule, the
minister of commerce, speaking for the
French government, said: 1--WE have
been told that far away on the other side
of the Atlantic there are those who have
listened to calumniatOrs in France who
asserted that France was forgetful of her
duty and that we have become not only adj
versaries, but, according to some reports
even discOurGeoHs towards America.
protest against such an impression. Ny
word Is sufficient TO dispel such ridiculous
idea and L 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 towards
America. Blu; if this is not sufficient, let
me assure your coUntrynan that not
day, not an hour not a minute has elapsed
during which the harmony existing be-
tween US has ever run the risk of being
broken. France has always been for your
country, and no one knows better than
your ambassador and q minister of the
French cabinet the degree of cordiality
manifested in connection with our recipro-
cal relations"
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 unfriendIy 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 the Frenchmen of today are
not led by clerical considerations nor by
"the theory of the so-called Latin
races" which,. it is further asserted, is no
longer taken seriously by any sensible
man.
From a. semi-officiaT source the follow
ing statement was made:
Prom a commercial point of view,
France is as much interested in American
as in Spanish trade, and consequently she
has no, reason to jeOpardize their friendly
relations with the United States. Still
she feels, sympathy for her unfortunate
neighbor and rejolceS heartily at the fact
that peace. is to be arranged and that the
French ambassador, NJ. CambOn, has
been the messenger of peace sent by
Spain to America.
LAS to the terms upon which peace will
y i
public opinion In France are perfectly
aware, that the United States will no
longer, be satisfied with the mere indie
pendence of Cuba, considering that the
war has cost her considerable. Conse-
que1tty the French press, especially the
Journal DIES DebatS and the Temps, is
already taking into account that impOr-
tant element in the settlement of peace.
They only hope that America will not
claim 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
America would make peace difficult. In
fact, it deserves to be pointed out that
France does not make any objection to
the United States increasing either it's
strength or its dOminiOns. The reason
for quiet feeling of France in this mat.
ter Is that she is convinced that if such
an Increase IN any way threatens any
1IulOlfCaA pONGI SHe Is hot IudI power.
Even the annexation of Hawaii. which
gives to the United States an important
possession in the Pacific ocean, has not
disturbed France in the slightest degree.
her possessions in America being small
and unimportant, consisting of some lit
tie islands and French Guiana There
fore. she feels sure that the Americans,
whom she considers to be practical peo~
pie, will never think of having trouble
with a great European power for such
a trifing object.
''As to the Philippines, if those islands
are to be lost to Spain, France, as the
ruler of Indo-China, would probably pre-
fer having the Americans as next door
neighbors instead of any European or
Asiatic power.
Consequently, what France wants, so
far as the United States is concerned, is
only q proper consideration of her COM
mercial interests. In that respect she has
been thoroughly treasured by the willing
ness the American government displayed
on the occasion of the last commercial
agreement, SO she is full Of confidence in
the future"
Mr.. Vanderbilt's Condition.
New York, July 30-Cornelius Wander