Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-31
FRENCHMEN ARE FRIENDLY
Insist that Sentiment in that Country Has
Been Misquoted,
SIGNIFICANT SPEECH OF A MINISTER
Rejoicing mt Prospect of Pencc-If
Spain Loses Philippines Pre-
fcrs United states to
Have Them,

Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press)
PARIS, July 30.-There Is a strong desire
in French official circles to bring about a
complete resumption OF the pleasant rela-
tions 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 American
war comes to a close, the clearer 1t Is to
sober-minded Frenchmen that public opinion
in America has been mistaken in regard to
the real opinion and feeling of France to-
ward the United States. 1t is added that
In spite Of what was written in the news
papers here or discussed in social circles
when the war began, no doubt, was enter
tanned anywhere in France as to the result
of the hostilities. The weakness and in
feriority of Spain were so evident that, it is
asserted here, it would be unfair now to
assert that the American victories have
caused a change of public opinion in France
and that the French newspapers today think
1t wiser to favor the conquerer.
In explanation Of the tone of the French
press toward the United States, il is said
that the language used by the newspapers
at present is in substance the same as used
three months ago, and the reason the Amer
lean people have been under the impression
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 mme was quoted in the
cable dispatches, 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
different features Of the hostilities.
AIxynya IyrtApJI, a.. ,n
1t is argued that some Of the leading
representatives of the French press were
interviewed during the war and their state
ments left no room for doubling that they
entertained a cordial feeling toward the
United States, while French business men
who were similarly interviewed were even
more emphatic in their expressions of friend
ship toward America. Finally, the French
men say that the recent celebration of the
Fourth Of July here was the occasion OF
bringing forth additional proof of the cordial
feeling entertained for Americans. At the
banquet of the American Chamber of COM
merce there were many prominent French
men present. including some of the highest
state officials, and NJ. Maruojoule, the min
lister of commerce, speaking for the French
government, said: I'VE have been told that
far away on the other side of the Atlantic
there are those who have listened to calum-
niators in France who asserted that France
was f~orgetful of her duty and that we have
become not only adversaries, but. according
to some reports, even discourteous toward
America. l protest against such an impress
sion. My word is sufficient to dispel such a
ridiculous idea, and l hope that the echo OF
what l say will be carried far from this
banquet hall to the other side OF tie At
lantic as an indignant protest against the
false reports, as to the sentiments OF France
toward America. But, if this Is not suffi-
ciept, let me assure your Countrymen that
not a day, not an hour, not a minute has
elapsed during which the harmony which
exists between us has ever ran the risk of
ever being broken. France has always been
for your country, and no one knows better
than your ambassador and the ministers of
the French cabinet the degree Of cordiality
manifested in connection with our reciprocal
relations
This statement of the French minister of
is reproduced here, az it is being
freely used by Frenchmen in their argu-
ments 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 reason why France should side with
Spain, as during the present century there
has Never been any common ideal between
the two countries" and that the Frenchmen
of today are not led by clerical considera-
lions, 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 official source the following
statement was made: From a commercial
standpoint, France is as much interested
In American as in Spanish trade, and con-
sequently it has no reason to jeopardize its
| friendly relations with the United States.
Still, it feels sympathy for its unfortunate
neighbor and rejoices heartily at the fact
that peace is to be arranged and that the
French ambassador, NJ. Cambon, has been
| the messenger of peace.
"As TO the terms upon which peace will
be arranged, the French government and
public opinion in France are perfectly aware
that the United States will no longer be
satisfied with the mere independence of
Cuba, considering that the war has cost it
considerable. Consequently the French
press, especially the Journal DIES Debats
and the Temps, are already taking into ac-
count that important clement in the settle
ment. 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
operous conditions on the part of America
would make peace difficult. In fact, 1t de-
serves to be pointed out that France does
not make any objection to the United States
increasing either its strength or Its
dominions. The reason for the quiet feeling
of France in this matter is that 1t is con-
WINGED that If such an increase in any way
threatens any European power France is
not that power. Even the annexation Of
Hawaii, which gives to the United States
an important possession in the Pacific, has
rot disturbed France in the slightest de-
gree, its possessions in America being small
and unimportapt, consisting of some little
islands and French Guiana. Therefore
France feels sure that the Americans, whom
il considers TO be a practical people, will
never think of having trouble with a great
European power for such a trifiing object.
las to the Philippines. if those islands
are TO be lost to Spain, France, as the
ruler of Indo-China, would probably prefer
having the Americans as next-door neigh
bors, instead Of any European or Asiatic
power. Consequently what France wants,
so far as the United States is concerned, is
only a proper consideration Of its COM
mercial interests. In that respect ii has
been thoroughly treasured by the willing
ness OF the American government, displayed
on the occasion of the last commercial
agreement, so it is full of confidence in
the future"