The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-31
OLIVE BRANCH HELD OUT
FRENCH OFFICIALS DESIRE THE
FRIENDSHIP OF AMERICANS.
Significant Utterances of the Minis
ter OF Commerce-Another state
ment from Semi-OmciaI Sources.
Copyright, 1888, by the Associated Press,

1AhlS, July 0V.-IneT6 Is a StTOHS uSSAl q
in French official circles to bring about
complete resumption of the pleasant rela-
tons 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
oat that the nearer the Spanish American
war comes to a close, the clearer it is to
sober-minded Frenchmen that public opin-
ion in America has been mistaken in regard
to the real opinion and feeling of France
toward the United States. 1t is added that
in spite of what was written in the newspa-
pers here or discussed in social circles when
the war began no doubt was entertained
anywhere in France as to the result of the
hostilities. The weakness and inferiority of
Spain were so evident that, 1t is claimed
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 to-Gay think it
wiser to favor the conqueror.
In explanation of the tone of the French
press towards the United States. it is said
the language used by the newspapers at
present is in substance the same as used
three months ago, and that the reason the
American people have been under the i'm
tile to the United States and favorable to
Spain is due to the fact that only the less
sensible part of the French comment was
quoted in the cable dispatches, while such
papers as the Journal des Debats, the Fig
arc and the Temps and some others have
not favored either side in the war, and have
furnished their readers with honest ac-
counts of the different features of the hos
nj
the leading representatives of the French
press were interviewed during the war, and
their statements left no room for doubling
that they entertained a cordial feeling to-
wards the United States, while French bus
mess men, who were similarly interviewed,
were even more emphatic in their express
sions of friendship towards America.
Finally, the Frenchmen say that the re-
cent celebration of the Fourth of July here
was the occasion of bringing forth addi-
tional proof of the cordial feeling enter
tanned here towards Americans. At the ban
quet 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
I'VE have been told that far away on
the other side of the Atlantic there are
France who asserted that France was for
getful of her duty, and that we have be-
come not only adversasries, but, according
America. l protest against such an i'm
preston My word is sufficient to dispeI
such ridiculous idea, and | hope that the
echo of what L say will be carried far from
this banquet hall to the other side of the
Atlantic as an indignant protest against the
false reports as to the sentiments of France
towards America. But, if this is not suffi-
Gent, let me assure your countrymen that
elapsed during which the harmony that ex-
lists between us has ever run the risk of
being broken. France has always been for
you, a second country, and no one knows
better than your ambassador and minis
ter of the French Cabinet the degree of
cordiality manifested in connection with our
This statement of the French minister OF
commerce is reproduced here, as it is being
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 to-. day are not led by clerical considera-
tons 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 commercial
point of view France is as much interested
in American as in Spanish trade, ana, conse-
quentIy, she has no reason to jeopardize her
friendly relations with the United States.
STILL she feels sympathy for her unfortu-
nate 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 of peace that 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 her considerable sacrifices.
the Journal des Debats and the Temps are
already taking into account that important
element in the settlement Of peace; 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 onerous con-
ditionS on the part of America would make
peace difficult. In fact it deserves to be
pointed out that France does not make any
objection to the United States increasing
either its strength or it's dominion. The rea-
son for a quiet feeling of France in this
matter is that she is convinced that If such
an increase in any way threatens any Eu-
the annexation of Hawaii, which gives the
United States an important position in the
Pacific ocean, has not disturbed France in
America being small and unimportant con-
sisting only of some little islands and French
Guiana. Therefore, she feels sure that the
practical people, will never think of having
trouble with a great European power for
such trif1ing object. AS 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 neighbors instead of any Euro
pean or Aistaic power. Consequently, what
France wants, so far as the United States
are concerned, is only proper cOnSidera-
ton of her commercial interests. In that re-
spect she has been thoroughly treasured by
the willingness of the American govern
ment, displayed on the occasion of the last
commercial agreement, so she is full of con-
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