The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-25
REVISITS AMERICA.
NJ. Jules siegfried Who Came over in
Lincoln's Time.

Washington, April 25-The French
ambassador called at the White House
at IL O'Clock this morning and intro
duced to the president Mules Siegfried,
formerly minister of commerce, industry
and the colonies in the Ribot cabinet
and also an official of long service in the
French senate and in the chamber Of
deputies. NJ. Siegfried's visit to the pres
ident recalls the fact that during his
last visit to American in 1861 he was re-
ceived by President Lincoln and enjoyed
q pleasant exchange of views with the
president of that day. At that time the
forces of the North were hurryinS
through Washington and NJ. Siegfried
accompanied Gen. Mcclellan in a review
of the army of the Potomac. In the call
at the White House today the president
spoke in most friendly terms of the re-
ladons between this country and
France.
NJ. Siegfried was seen later in the day
and talked in an interesting manner on
the purposes of his visit to this country.
He said:
Il come to look over the remarkable
growth of America in all commercial
and industrial lines and to study econ
omic matters, which are being develop
ed. Naturally 1 am much interested in
The extension of Commercial relations
between the two countries. There seeLas
to be no reason why our mutual trade
should not be very largely increased
ever, it seems to me possible so to ad-
just tariff concessions on both sides that
there win be no disadvantage to special
lines of industry orr production, the ex-
change being encouraged more particu-
larly on lines of gO1dS which one coun-
try produces and which the other does
not produce. There are great opportun-
tiles for an increased use in France Of
the American prOductS of iron. 1t is
quite certain too that If the United
States takes the Initiative in MAKING
concessions France will reciprocate IN
the fullest measure The prevailing SEN
tinent in France is favorable to a pro-
tectiVe policy although personally I am
rather inclined to free trade. But in any
event l am quite sure that some middle
ground can be secured to the advantage
Of both countries. / am glad to say
there is the most cordial sentiment en-
tertained throughout France toward the
United States. This is traditional with
u.s. but there never has been a tiiee
when the feeling was more genuine than
it is at present"
NJ Siegfried was asked as to the re-
cent reports that some of the European
powers might unite in commercial al
lance directed against the United
States.
THAT might come about" said
he land it is an additional reason why
it is desirable to have the two republics
to enter into close commercial associa-
ton"
NJ Siegfried also expressed an inter
est in the movement going on in this
country to build up the merchant ma
rine by the payment of subsidies. He
says that France already has subsidy
system which assisted to a considerable
extent in meeting the commercial Sd
premacy of Great Britain on the sea
and he enters the view that like encour-
agenent in the United STATES would
bring about similar results ir the devel-
op0ent of the American merchant
shipping.
He will remain in Washington until
tomorrow when he starts on an extern
sive trip through the west. visiting the
Carnegie works at Pittsburg and going
thence to Chicago, Milwaukee, st. Paul
and many other points, returning by
way of Canada to Boston and CONNER
cial centers in Nav E,neland