The age-herald., 1898-05-21
AMERICANS KEEP
 AWAY FROM FRANCE
BY hiYL,, MANNING.

BY MYLO MANNING.
 It is evident that the people of France are very much exercised over the attitude of the Americans in declining to further trade with the French people because the latter have taken such strong sides in behalf of Spain as against the United States. The French people, especially those in Paris. have become more insolent to Americans than are the Spaniards. Since war was de- clared an Americans life is not safe in Paris. The French people have often been described the very essence of politeness and chivalric conduct. Judging from re- cent events in Paris. this is about as far removed from the truth as it Is possible to make it.
 American women have been insulted by all classes of people in Paris. They are in- suited by the police, by the cab-drivers, by the shop-keepers, in fact by every class of citizens. The rich people have been in- sulting to the Americans as well as the middle or poorer classes. American wo- men in Paris for the past six weeks or more have been subjected to all kinds of indignities. no matter where they might go. The omnibuses and other public convey
 
 stop and take on American passengers.
 In the hotels and cafes Americans have received little, if any. attention, and they have been compelled, out of self-respect. to withdraw from the French capital. Every American in the City of Paris has been openly insulted by the expressions of the Paris editors. Americans have been fa haI cip fr 4 the ignorant element, without breeding, without refinement, in fact, complete ab- sence of all that goes to make up ladies and gentlemen.
 Everything that has been done in Franco to humiliate the people of the United States has apparently been done under the sanction of the French government, or at least by those in charge of public af- fairs. France has from the outset in no unmistakable way shown its intense hos tility toward the United States and its extreme friendship for the Spaniards. Tho American women who a few days ago passed a series of resolutions denouncing the conduct of the Paris shop-keepers and saying that in future they would not patronize any of the Paris or French milliners or tailors did the correct thing. The Ameri- can women are not dependent upon Paris for good clothes. They still have the op- portunity to purchase in London or New York, and either, or both, are just as good as Paris. There is no reason why any American should go to France except from curiosity There is nothing in that coun- try that can't be obtained elsewhere ex- cept possibly, the worst kind of immor- ality France is the most immoral nation in the world, and it would be a good thing if Americans would keep away from it. Evil communications corrupt good manners"
 The people of the United States should not believe asingle utterance from the rep resentative of the French nation who called on the president on Thursday that the people of that country are honest or truthful when they say they want to be friendly with the United States. It has little if any regard for anything beyond a monetary consideration. Americans have purchased millions and millions of dollars worth of goods from France every year for many years. France wants to keep Its traQe W1tn AmeTlcd. IL WIiltS <Amcii- can money to help boom its exposition in 1900 That's why 1t sent representative to this country commissioned to carry to the president of the United States the statement that the French people are at this time friendly to the people of this country. President. Mckinley is a hard headed, sensible man. He knew it was untrue when the French representative was speaking to him upon the subject. The president was diplomatic He listened to all that was said, but said little in reply.
 When General Grosvenor said in the house of representatives few days ago that he would oppose any appropriation for the Paris exposition of 1900, he did wise act for which the American people will sustain him. The thing to do at tho present time is to cut off all trade with France. Let the French people make their money out of the bankrupt Spaniards. The United States has always been friendly to France and has rendered that nation many favors for which it ought to be grateful Frances conduct during the Spanish controversy has been against tho United States, and it's people neither in dividually nor collectively are the friends of this country. The only reason France profess friendship at this time is be- cause it has become scared, and afraid of losing trade, therfore. it sent repre- sentative to Washington to tell lie to the president in hopes of lessening the just prejudices of the people of this coun- try against France because it's people have become so insulting to Americans from no other reason than that they love the Saniards better than the Americans. Let France take the consequences. These are times when it is is well to play even. if France wants Spain to whip the United States it has the right to its opinion. When it does. however, it should take into consideration that the people of this