New-York tribune., 1901-01-24
KINDLY FRENCH SENTIMENT.
GENEROUS RECOGNITION OF THE
VIRTUES OF QUEEN VICTORIA.
Copyright: 1901: BY The New-York Trihune9
LRY CABLE TO TEE TRIRUNE.l

Copyright: 1901: BY The Neo-york Trhune1
[By CABLE THE TRIBuNE.l
Paris Jan 23-The Queens death has called
forth expressions of opinion from prominent
and represen tative Frenchmen of every political
or religious party which completely drown the
few discordant, i'll bred and outrageously re-
voting articles concerning Queen Victoria and
] King Edward VII which have appeared in sew
! eraI Boulevard sheets. including lie Matln'
lie Francois" and LIE Petit Sou" and signed
/ Charles Laurent and Alfred Edwards-artlcles
which, for the good name of the French press, it
is gratifying to record, have been denounced by
self-respecting papers, and La Liberte' for IN
stance referring to scurriIous handbills headed
Last Will and Testament of Victoria, which
were offered for sale by street hawkers, but
which found very few purchasers, says:
It is shamefulIy scandalous that such pam
phlets should be permitted TO appear. We nave
the right criticise English politics as much as
please, but neither Fashoda nor the Trans
vaal nor the attitude of the British press In re-
gard to our army and our generals during GER
tain memorable trial justify these gross insults
to the sacred memory of the Queen. We nave
hitherto enjoyed the reputation Of chivalrous
courtesy, of which we might, with pardonable
pride, write many historic examples. Our rulers
ought, at least, to retain this last French virtue
It cannot be denied that there has for the last
few years been a strong, steady Anglophobe
undercurrent in the French press which might
lead one to suppose that the only time French
men ana EnSHShmen really enjoyed cdCn OlIleI ,
society was when they were blazing away at one
another at Waterloo. But the attitude of the
French newspapers to-day, with few exceptions
is more generous and less narrow minded. Henri
des Hous, in the "Matin," for instance, writes
most eloquent tribute to Queen Victoria, and
concludes with these words:
1t is not rash to predict that the death of this
noble woman, who exercised patriarchial intu-
ence over nearly all the reigning houses OF
Europe, will cause grave changes in the world
1t is the most important event Of our ase. The
fall Of Bismarck merely a trivial incident in
comparison with II.
Gabriel Hanotaux, member of the French
Academy and for several years Minister of For
eign Affairs. relates in glowing language the
noble womanly purity Of the Queens character
calls attention to her statesmanlike wisdom and
political prudence, and sums up forecast Of the
future by saying:
France was the dominating factor of the
eighteenth century, Great Britain of the nine
teenth century, and the indications are that the
Unite States will be the foremost nation OF the
twentieth century: In France the long reigns
OF Louis XIV and Louis XIV contributed in large
measure to the violence of the French Revolu-
tion. and perhaps the long reign OF Victoria,
which marks the apotheosis of England. may be
followed sooner than Is generally expected by
serious change in the relative positions OF
nations
NJ Hanotaux concludes with these words:
Impartiality and moderation at home, pru
dence and humanity abroad were principles tnat
guided the Queens statecraft, and history Will
record il everlasting honor to Queen Vic
toria that she impaired these principles to other
nations. and left them as an example and a
lesson for her successors, for her own people for
posterity and for humanity.
Alexandra Ribot formerly Prime Minister. also
pays an eloquent tribute 10 the memory of
Queen Victoria, and among those who were
most prompt in calling at the British Embassy
to express sympathy and coincidence was Gen
eraI Mercier. who personihes all the most Anglo
phobe element in France. but whose apprecl-
ations of fQueen Nctoria's personal character are
frank and generous. Even that irrepressible
| iconoclast Henri RoChefort pays tribute TO the
Queens memory and 1t is only fair to put upon
record that the sentiments and appreciations
! evoked by the Queens death are, with the rare
! exceptions already alluded TO, worthy Of the
chivalrous traditions Of the French nation.
c. J. 3.