The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-31

could do much to avert as Frenchmen
allege. We are not unmindful Of the
obligations which our infant republic
lay under to France, from the day of
its nativity to the day, and long after,
the constitution of the United States
was signed and promulgated. Nor
are we forgetful of the great French
men who stood sponsors at the bap-
tism Of our new republic. These facts
are part of our history. If French
men believe that the destiny of this
country is bound up with the destiny
of the Latin races as probably it is,
much more than with that of the Tar
tar and Mongolian, it seems an act Of
singular perversity that it should feel
chagrincd and hostile towards an alli-
ance between the Anglo-SaXon race,
which is of greater and more enduring
chronological solidarity.
For our part, we are Indifferent as
to what alliances France may deem it
well to make We wish her we'll in
all of them. We are, however sensi-
tive of our national dignity as a self
respecting, self-contained people, and
we do not propose to let France or
any other nation interfere with our
plans. Our diplomatic relations with
other countries are open and above
board. We have waged this war with
Spain from no Interior motive of ag-
grandzement or conquest If these
results follow in it's wake it will SIM
ply be a repetition of history. The
history of the world affords no paral-
lei in the case of war in which the
territorial possessions of the belligcr-
cnts have remained i'm the same rela-
tion afterwards. France herself Of
fers a standing example Of the truth
of this postulate. Since this war be-
gan France has been intriguing in ev-
cry court in Europe for armed inter-
vention. She would have probably
succeeded had Great Britain agreed to
her invitation. We can yet scarcely
realize what national humiliation or
horror we would have had to face had
France secured all she bargained for.
With the whole naval armament Of the
Old World face to face with the imme-
diately realzable military and naval
resources of the New, we would have
either to submit to diCtatiOn or fight.
Fight we would have done rather than
submit but fighting half the civilized
world i'm arms ID an alternative so por-
tentous that we may well feel grateful
to England for rendering such a con-
tingencY impossible.
1t is due to the government of France
to say that after its intrigues for con-
Certed European intervention failed il
settled down into an honorable and of
! late rather an anxious neutrality. TC
be sure, we owe it no thanks for this
! for it was no more than it's duty tC
preserve neutrality under the circum
| stances But while the government OF
| France has kept it's head the scurrilty
| and abusiveness of the French press
| amply backed up by the attitude of the
| French masses, have been sufficient t
| ALLEVIATE from the French republic
| whatever sentimental regard Ameri
! cans, remembering Lafayette, ma!
| hitherto have felt, and in future
| whatever may be the political rela
| tiOns between the two governments
| the posture of our citizens as expressed
| in business and social affairs, will bt
! based upon the good, old Anglo-S -Saxor
| doctrine of remembering their friends
| with incidental recollection, also, o
| those who, when brought to the test
| turned fatty against us, without {
| particle Of cause.