Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-20
IS HURTING THEIR BUSINESS
FIGARO SEEKS TO MAKE A JOKE OF
THE BOYCOTT.
Mr. Chamberlain Responsible for =
Decided Feeling Of Nervousness
In France-Possible Anglo
saxon Alliance Regard.
ed With Dread.

PARIS, May 1s.-Mr. Chamberlain's SEN
sational speech is undeniably responsible
for decided feeling of nervousness here.
The French press begins to see it has
adopted mistaken policy in declaring SO
pronouncedly for Spain, as opposed to the
United States. The Des Debats. in a
leader, tries to smooth away matters, but
"Quis excuse accuse" 1t admits that
the English have profited by Frances ac-
tion in this matter. It says: america
is entering upon an enlarged international
career. and it is very important to the
French that Americans do not begin with
preconceived ideas against US, and that
they do not renounce their good under
standing with us. SO useful in the past and
still more desirable for the future. We
have shown how ably England. dissatis-
fled with the attitude Of the Continental
powers, is creating relations with the
United States, which she Is trying to bring
to her policy. We, therefore, ought to
avoid all mistakes that our adversartes,
always vigilant, might turn to our disad-
vantage.
1.-THE moment is passed to sit in judg-
ment on the war. France has never been
really hostile to the Americans. This will
be well understood across the Atlantic.
when the present misunderstanding has
been dissipated. The friends of Spain have
something better to do than to declaim
against her adversaries."
The general tone Of the article is one
Of fear that things have gone too far.
Businesses which depend largely for their
success upon the patronage of Americans
have already felt the effects Of the quasi
campaign against the United States in ia
vor of Spain. The proprietor of one of
the hotels here inveighed bitterly against
the attitude taken by the French press.
The number Of Americans staying in the
hotel is sensibly less than at the same
time last year.
At Voisins. where at this season there Is
usually big crowd of Americans or Span
iards. there were, the other night, only
two diners in the rooms.
Costumers. jewelers., milliners and other
tradesmen are seeing their season virtually
ruined by the diminished number Of Amer
ican clients.
The Figaro yesterday morning tried to
turn the affair of with laugh In an ar
ticle which says:
ut is finished. France is going to be
boycotted by American millionaires and
by the pretty Americans. who will no long
er get their dresses from Paris.''
Then, in a bantering way, the writer asks
"ASAS eASy Will Sot lAcIu. ScTIdlHlys not
In London, where tailor-made costumes
and bicycling skirts can be made admira-
bly,. but full dress-never. Certainly not
in America. and certainly they will never
consent to be badly dressed.
AS to the millionaires, they will surely
comes to Paris" continues the article, "in
search Of a more agreeable, more intel
lectual and more artistic life than is led in
America"
A long list Of those who habitually stay
long portion of each season in Europe
is given, but there is serious tone under
lying the Jest.
In the same issue Of the Figaro appears
dispatch from its London correspondent,
telling Of the grievous state of public opin-
lon there. Mr.. Chamberlain is believed to
have spoken for the entire cabinet, and the
correspondent insists upon the gravity of
the situation. The people are already talk
ing OF possible Franco English conflict.
With this fear before them. and with the
practical results of the loss of American
custom staring them in the face, the
people here are very gloomy in their
prognostications, in spite of their dis
chalmers. 1t il evident that the French
look upon the rapprochement Of the
Englishmen and the Americans with dis
quietude. 1t is such a natural alliance that
they realize it will some day be made, and
they begin to fear they have hastened that
| day by their display Of hostility to the
United States over the war with Spain.