New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-12
BENNES AND TIE WORLDS FAIR.

The life and honor of one man outweigh a
great commercial enterprise Certainly The
vindicanon Of justice and the maintenance OF
civil authority above military cabals Of
paramount Importance 10 any mere business
considerations Yet the greater includes the
less, and so amid the indignant protests that
rise from all the world against the niquity Of
Rennes there arises a suggestion. even a de-
mand. for withdrawal from participation in the
Paris Worlds Fair Of 1900 Such a suggestion
has been made not idly nor ohScurely, in this
country In some European countries it has
proceeded ~ the stage Of organized action In
portant intended exhibits have been withdrawn
by individuals and corporations and there is a
possibility that more than one Government will
officially boycott the Exposition Beyond doubt
such action. II widespread, would be dread
ful punishment TO France. That nation is plan
ming 10 make the Exposition by far the most
magnificent affair of the kind the world has
ever seen. Ii is within the power Of other
nations 10 make it hopeless and disastrous
failure, and to make 1900 instead Of a gala
year Of spendor and Of profit another Terrible
Year" OF loss and gloom That we say. is
within their power But even those to whom
the thought Of such punishment IS most pleas
lug should realize that to decree It now would
be unjust and irrational
The prOvOCatiOn IS not 10 be denied The
wickedness Of the Rennes verdict and the wick
ednesS Of the state Of affairs which It reveals
and from which il sprang can scarcely be eX-
aggerated. But still il is a partial matter. II
IS the work Of a military ring and a faction Of
ianatical Clercals. But France Is not entirely
military and clerical. Her intellect and her
conscience are steadfast for the right She
has statesmen and officers and public journals
and millions Of private citizens as honest and
Just as any among her critics. and as outspoker
as any in their execration Of the wrong that
has been done at Rennes. These are IN a dealt
grapple with the forces OF evil They are en-
titled 10 encouragement. sympathy and aid, and
II they win, 10 all possible praise. 1t will no
do to strike at them IN blndly striking at al
France. There must be discrimination AnC
there must be patience 1t may not be 70
long Events move quickly. Issues are tensel!
drawn few days, few hours even, ma.
change the whole aspect Of affairs and Civ
France rescue and vindcaton from the fou
league Of her seducers and would-be assassiDS
a single hour. few strong words may max
the world as eager 70 Join in doing Franc
honor as the most indignant now are 10 az
minister a rebuke.
This matter appeals with supreme force |
the United States. This Nation is bound
France by peculiarly intimate ties Of traduo
and Of sentiment II IS preparing 70 be. an
France Is expecting and desiring II 10 be, IN
largest exhibitor, next to France herself, at IN
approaching fair Its non-particpatiOn in tina
fair would be a more disastrous blow than III
withdrawal Of any other nation. We are ne
willing to regard such non-participation a
among practical possibilities. Whether rat
fication Of the Rennes verdict by the Govern
ment and people OF France, and It's establish
ment as an abiding judgment. would be suft
cient provocation for Withdrawals need not "
be considered II will be time enough whe
France has spoken. For the present we PR
fer TO believe that France herself, through u