The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-31
The Desire There Strong to Resume
Our Pleasant Relations,
PUBLIC OPINION IS MISTAKEN,
France Never Doubted the Result OF
the War, Whatever the Newspapers
May Have said-She j. Heartily
Glad That Peace is to BE Ar
ranged and Through
Her Ambassador.

copyrighted 1895 by Associated Press)
PARIS. July 8.-There is a strong de-
sire in French official circles TO bring
about a complete resumption Of the plea<
ant relations with the United States
which existed previous 10 the trouble
between Spain and America, and which
were disturbed by French newspaper ut
torances. II is pointed out that the nearer
the spanlsh-American war comes 20
close tho clearer 1t is 20 sober-mirded
Frenchnen that public opinion in Ameri-
ca has been mistaken in regard to the
real opinion and feeling OF France to-
ward the United States. 10 SIS added
that in spite OF what was written in the
newspapers here or discussed in social
circles when the war began. DO doubt was
entertained anywhere iu France as TO tho
result OF the hosulities The weakness
and inferiority ~ Spain were 30 evident
that. 80 As claimed hero, 10 would be
unfair now Go assert that tho American
victories have caused a change of pub-
DC opinion in France. and that the
French newspapers to-day think 10 wiser
TO fayOr tho COnquerOr
THE FRENCH NEWSPAPERS.
press toward the United states. &c is said
the language used by the newspapers an
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 papers were
hostile To- the United States ana favorable
% Spain IS due 90 tho fact that only the
less sensible part OF the French Was
quoted in the cable lispa fches. while
such papers as tho journal des Debats.
the Figaro and the Temps and some
others have not favored either side ia The
war, ana have furnished their readers
with honest accounts or the uln -rcnt fea-
lures OF the hosuiides.
Continuing IL is argued that some Of
tine leading representatives of the French
press were interviewed during tho war.
and their statements left no room fOr
d0uhdng that they entertained a cordial
feeling toward the United states, while
French busiuess men who were similarly
interviewed were even more emphatic
in their expressions Of friendship toward
America
Finally the Trenchmen say that the
recent celebration of the Fourth of July
here was the occasion Of bringing forth
additional proof of the cordial feeling
entertained here toward Americans. At
the basquet of the American Ch1mher of
Comm cree there We're many prominent
Frenchmen present. including some Of
the highest State officials and ST. Aiaruo-
l0uie. the Minister OF COmmerce. speaking
for the French Government, said.
HE SPOKE FOR FRANCE
'We have been told tnat far away on
the other side of the Atlantic there are
those who have listened to caiumaiat0rs
Doe France who asserted that France was
.0rpctful of hor duty and that we have
become not only adversaries, but accord
Ing to some reports even disc0urte9us TO-
wards America. p protest against such
au impression MY word is sufficient 90
dispeI such "a riuCu.ou idea, and / hope
that lhe echo of what ] say VIII be care
ried far from This banquet han TO the
other siia OF The Atlantic. as an indie-
naut protest against the false reports af
ID the sentiments of France toward
America. But. III this is not sufficient let
me assure your c0uutrymeu that not
.lav. not am hour. not % minute has e'aps-
e during which the harmony that exists
b.t,ycou us has even run the risk Of being
broken France has always been for you
"a second country. and BOO one knows be--
ter than your ambassador and minister
of the French Cabinet The degree OF corr
diaIltv manifested il connection with our
reciprocal relations
Tlis statement OF ihe French Minister
of Commerce is reproduced here as 81 is
being freely used Oy IIcucnmen in ther
arguments tending TOD prove that France
has not been unriendly TO tho United