New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-19
pARISIANS AND THE WAR.
,,,~v INSTANCES WHICH COMPUTE THE
PERSISTENT REPORTS OF FRENCH
HOSTILITY TO AMERICANS.

Paris. June :.
The stories of extraordinary manifestations Of
., American feeling that several returned
sners have been relating IN New-York to over
,odulons listeners cause In Paris, and especially
among American residents here. no little surprise
,d ANNOYANCE. Many Of these stories bear incredi-
,r,,v on their own face. For instance. statement
,os appeared in a New-York sensational paper and
" other papers Of New-York Chicago Philadei-
mia and Boston. to the effect that an American
woman went TO the Magasns du Louvre to make
come purchases She went to the glove counter.
vnere she was known to the saleswoman. and
asked 10 see some gloves. The woman whom she
addressed looked at her scornfuy for moment.
and then turning her back. said: I'VE do not serve
Americans
The writer. being aware that no salcswomen are
euopoyed at the glove counters at the Magasins du
Louvre. took the pains to call the attention OF
those concerned to this alleged insult. and the FOL
Iowing letter from the manager Of the house In
question VIII convince any impartial person that
such incident as that related could have occurred:
Paris June :. 1898.
"To The Tribune Correspondent. Paris.
IN a sensational American paper Of recent date
Il is stated that an American lady. who went
10 the Magaslns du Louvre 10 buy gloves. was sub
tected 10 an insulting refusal the part OF the
ssleswoman. The truth should be known to the
readers Of The Tribune. In the first place gloves
are never sold at the Magasins du Louvre by
clerks. ana the male employees VINO sell
gloves are accustomed every day TO serve Ameri-
cans and have never ceased 10 retain the greatest
,espect and Difference for their transatlantic GUS
hmers II is consequently very easy matter to
s4ve CATEGORICAL denial to the malicious story
that appeared IN the paper. As 10 the other ma
rcous statements contained IN the same article, II
Is only necessary to say that they be disproved
hv an appeal to the fairmndedness OF Americans
who reside in Paris. and whom the whole popua-
ton Of the French capital has never ceased to re-
gard with the traditional sympathy OF the fellow
rounirymen OF Rocham5eau and % Lafayette.
IF. HONORE.
Manager Of the Grands Magasins du Louvre"
THE AMERICAN FLAG NOT INSULTED.
Since the outbreak of hostiliues between the
United States and Spain. the writer. in order TO
ascertain the true national feeling toward Ameri-
cans has mixed freely with Frenchmen Of every
social grade and class. Nowhere. whether in the
clubs cafes theatres. at the racecourses in the
.hop. omniouses railways. was there ever de-
,ected any sign OF national animosity or rude
ross Yesterday the writer accompanied to the
Paris Bourse countryman. who wore a minia-
ture American flag In his buttonhole 1t was
o'clock in the afternoon which is considered the
most exciting period OF the day. My friend made
numerous inquiries abou; the prices Of stocks and
transacted his business without any Of the dsa-
greeable Incidents of kissing and hootins' so
set forth IN sensational articles as
lnseparabe episodes OF American visit TO the
Paris Stock Exchange The writer also accompa-
MED two American women on a shopping excur-
sion in the Rue de RicheNeu the central boGle-
wards and the Rue Nausirard near the Latin
Quarter Although the ladies small American
flags in their tuttonholes. they were everywhere
received with courtesy and respect
In the evening. al the Casino de Paris, some
weeks ago there was representation in which
the United States and the Spanish fleets would APP
pear alternately. \ small party Of young men.
among whom was Spanish dancing girl"-who.
BY the way. was born at Montmartre. and not in
Andalusa-began 10 create disturbance by hiss
Ing the American ships A counter demonstration
In favor of the American flag was at once started,
ana TIE dsordorly partisars % both belligercnis
were compelled by the police to quit the estao ish
ment. This the only occasion on which the
writer discovered the existence Of any ii-emDered
outourst. There were numbers OF Americans pres
snt at the Grand Prx de Paris Sunday. and the
writer noticed several American young women
with patriotic badges bearing Inscriptions "Remcm-
Der the Maine" etc. upon them. But neither those
badges the American and Spanish flags which
waved over the tents Al popular open-air rcstau-
rant IN the Bots de Bouogre near the racecourse.
called forth any comment Of a dsagrceahe nature.
On Memorial Day procession Of Americans and
Irenchmen walked through the streets to Lafay-
cites tomb. hoa-lng "Od Glory" to the tunes OF
America" and THE Star SpangleG Banner"
pie yed by French military band and no one pres
ent noticed any incident other than Of an agreea-
bic charc,er.
FRENCH WOMEN AIDING BOTH SIDES
Il is true that the Yicomtesse de jane exhibited
the art collections In her historic mansion. in the
Avenue Marigny. for d fund aid the Spanish
wounded. bur there was also a desk at the bottom
Q: the staircase. whore subscriptions were taken
for the American wounded. The French women Of
the Red Cross have collected over 5000
francs for the hospital fund. which Is TO be
equally divided between the American and the
Spanish naval and military hospitals. When the
war broke out there was undoubtedly feeling OF
sympathy for Spain. because she WAS the weaker
OF the two antagonists. This increased by
the large French investments locked up in Span
ish securities some o, the Spanish railroads and
!ndus;rials undertakings for instance. are almost
entirely owned in France. To this must be added
the warm sympathy fe.t In exclusive reactionary
circles and coteres for Catholic Spain and for the
Queen Regent. hut among the French nObil-
fly there is cross current IN favor OF the United
siates. the writer is able testify from CONVEX
salons on me subject with the Due De Brogie
and Baron Pierre dc Coubertin.
VI Heorard. the presidcn, Of the Society Of
French Journalists and manager OF the Temps"
who may be considered thoroughly representative
Frenchman. when questioned the subject. said:
There can be no DOUBT whatever that be-
tween the United states and Spain in
terests OF France are with the American HepuONc.
Political sympathy in the long follows inter
est, and not sentiment. At the outbreak Of bOstili
Ties the French public were somewhat taken by
surprise, n had all aOns been felt mat the war
would be avoided bS SPANS practically agreeing 10
the Independence OF CUBA Very Hiilc was known
In France about the real merits Of the American
case, and the consular reports about the true situa
uon are even absolutely unread In Europe.
parity. perhaps because they difficult 10 OBJ
tain The real sympathy Of the masses Of the
population Is. nevertheless. with the United States,
ana ana the Official attitude Of the French Government
mas certainly been absolutely fair ana impartial in
us neutrality 20 both bcliigerents. The prevailing
feeling throughout France rs that the may
come 10 speedy end, on the basis OF what the
United States went 10 war for. namely the IN
dependence Of cuba. and. In addition 10 this. the
cession ~ Porto Rico > a war Indemnity. The
conviction is gaining ground that the longer Spain
ueays In proposing peace on these terms so much