The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-30
FRANCE BOWS
To THE EARTH
PrOfuse in Expression of
Friendship
And Good Feeling Toward the
United States.
WAS ALL A MISTAKE.
Never Had Aught But Senti-
ments of Love.
Surprised That She Was Sus-
pected of Animosity.


Paris, July 3O-There is a strong de-
sire in French official circles to bring
about a complete resumption of the
pleasant relations with 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-American war
comes to a close the clearer it is to So
er-minded Frenchmen that public
opinion in America has been mistaken
in regard to the real feeling and opin-
ion in France towards the United
States It is added that in spite of
what was written in the newspapers
here OF discussed in social circles when
the war began no doubt was entertain
ed anywhere in France as to the re-
suit of the hOstilities. The weakness
and infertOrity of Spain were so evil
dent, that it is claimed here that it
would be unfair now to assert that the
American victories have caused
change of public opinion in France and
that the French newspapers today
think is wiser to favor the cOnquerOr.
In explanation of the tone of the
French press towards the United States
It is understood that 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 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 favor
ed either side in the war and have furn-
1shed their readers with honest ac-
counts of the different features of the
hostilities.
It is argued that some of the leading
representatives of the French press
were interviewed during the war and
their statements left no room for doubt
ing that they entertained a cordial feel
ing toward the United States while
French business men who We're similar
ly interviewed were even more en-
phatic in their expressions of friendship
towards America. Finally the French
men say that the recent celebration of
the Fourth of July here was the oc-
casion of bringing forth additional
proof of the cordial feeling entertained
for Americans.
At the banquet Of the American cham
Der of commerce there were many prom
inent Frenchmen present including some
of the highest state officials and NJ
MaruojOuIe, the minister of commerce,
speaking for the French government,
said: We have been told that far
away on the other side of the Atlantic
are those who have listened to calumni-
atOrs in France who asserted that
France was fOrgetful of her duty and
that we have become not only adVer-
saries but according to some reports
even d1ScOurteOuS toward America. ]
protest against such an impression My
word is sufficient to dispel such ri
diculOus idea and hope that the echo
of what I say will be carried 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. But if this
is not sufficient let me assure your
cOuntrymen that not a day, not an hour
has elapsed during which the harmony
which exists between US has ever run
the risk of being broken. France has
=
one knows better than your ambassador
and a minister of the French cabinet,
the degree of cOrdiality manifested in
connection with our reciprocal rela-
tons"
The 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 unfriendly to the
United States in the war with Spain
They also argue that there is no reaS- |
on why France should side with Spain
as during the present century there
has been no common ideal between the /
two countries and that the French
men of today are not led by clerical
considerations, nor by the theory of the
so-called Latin races, which it is fur
Their asserted, is no longer taken seri-
Ously by any sensible man.
From a semi official source the fol-
lowing statement was made From a
commercial standpoint. France is as
much interested in American as in
has no reason to jeOpardize her friend
~ relations with the United States
sim she feels sympathy for her I'M |
fortunate nelghbOr and rejOnceS heart
lily at the fact that peace is to be ar
ranged and that the French ambassa-
DOR, NJ Cambon has been the messen-
ger of peace"
As to the terms upon which peace will
De arranged the French government
ana public opinion in France are per
tectIy aware that the United States
Will no longer be satisfied Wit
Independence of Cuba, considering the
war has cost her considerably Com
sequently the French press, especially
the journal deS Debats and the Temps
are already taking into account that
important 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
onerous conditions on the part Of America
would make peace difficult. In fact it
does not make any objections to the Unit
ed States increasing either its strength or
feeling in France in this matter is that
She Is convinced that II such an increase
in any way threatens any European power
alton of Hawaii which gives to the T1nifed
States an important possession in the Pa
ci1c, has not disturbed France in the
slightest degree, her possessions in America
ca being small and unimportant, consist
Guiana. Therefore She feels sure thar
the Americans. whom She considers to be
practical people. will never think of
having trouble with a great European
power for such a trifiing 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 Ash
Consequently, what France wants. so
far as the United States is concerned. is
only a proper consideration of her COM
mercial interests. In that respect she