The evening times., 1898-05-10
Another Word to France.

Another Word to France.
Ii is a pity that American motives in
the present war are as generally and
willfuily misunderstood and misrepre-
sented by the press and large por-
ton of the people of continental Eu-
rope as they are. 1t is particularly to
be regretted that this should amount
to a sentiment of positive unfriendli-
ness in sister republic like France.
because the commercial relations OF
the two countries would seem to suS-
gest to the French people the desirable
ity of keeping on good terms with US.
and their present course does not tend
in that direction.
This nation is not going around with
a chip on its shoulder looking for trou-
BILE 1t is not the least bit anxious for
any more war than VIII Serve to bring
the present difficulty to an end. The
American people have had no other
4 aim in view in undertaking their un-
! pleasant tGsk than the execution OF
/ holy purpose. They asked and expect
/ ed nothing of advantage for them
/ selves. They started out with the
I
rid the Western Hemisphere of an in
famous and @bieodthirsty power whose
very existence has been a mockery of
civilization and curse to humanity
for centuries. They are not likely now
to stop until Spain has been deprived
of all future power of mischief outside
of the Iberian peninsula.
If European forces, dominated by
instincts and habits of greed and ag-
gression. are unable to believe that
great people can have a soul of pity
for the misfortunes of their neighbors
when the latter are suffering the tor
ments of hell at the hands of the cruel,
torturing, raping. butchering Span
iards and be willing to sacrifice blood
and treasure to right a great wrong
and to punish the wrongdoer, We can
not help it. If France. under the die
tates of a sordid financial interest in
the restoration of Spanish sovereignty
in Cuba, is determined to show US a
hostile spirit. the French people need
not think for one moment that anything
will be done on this side to prevent it,
and the extent to which it may grow
or the form of its manifestation will
be regarded with cheerful indifference
in America This country is prepared
for any eventualities which its present
policy and it's new position as world
power may bring.
We think that the President was JUS
titled in releasing the French liner La
fayette, after that vessel had attempt
ed to violate the blockade of Havana.
We do not regard the French govern
ment as justified in deceiving Mr.. Nc
Kinley in the premises. 1t was prom
ised, in case the Lafayette touched at
a Spanish port. that no Spanish Off
GERS should be accepted as pas
should be taken on board destined for
Havana Contraband was loaded in,
and Spanish officers were taken as
passengers at Corunna, and the good
faith of the French authorities was
thereby badly compromised.
Such a thing must not happen again.
If it should the American people would
not support the Executive in another
such act of International comfy. YES
sells of neutral powers have no busi-
ness in Havana harbor, unless it be to
carry away their own citizens or to
protect them. AS the war has been
on since April 81, all such relief meas
ures should have been taken and COM
pleted before now, and there does not
seem to be any further excuse for such
movements as that of the Lafayette.
Certainly We do not propose to tolerate
freight, passenger and mail service
for the benefit of Gen. Blanco and in
opposition to our own war interests
and measures.
France and all other foreign powers
may as well accept the fact that while
America has not the slightest wish to
become embroiled with any European
nation. its people and it's flag are not
to be trifed with or affronted with i'm
punity in times like these.