Evening star., 1902-02-18
Baron d'Estournelles de Constant.

Baron d'Estournelles de Constant.
diplomatic service and enjoys the distinc-
tion Of having been the French representa-
tive at London before he was forty years
Of age.
Baron Estournelles comes to America
at this time to carry forward his plans for
the development Of better state of feel
ing between the people of this country and
of France Already he has begun the work
in France, giving much Of his time and
private means, and establishing committees
throughout the interior of France. all with
a view to enlightening the people on the
remarkable development of the United
States, and of the need on the part of the
French people to give some heed to the
progress being made on this side Of the
water.
Object of His Visit.
In further development of his plan, he
now comes to America to carry out plans
somewhat similar to those adopted in
France, the purpose being to have leading
American universities, chambers Of COM
merce and the great manufacturing estab-
hshments designate young men to be sent
to France, to come In contact with the
people and learn the methods Of production.
Baron q d'EStournelles' ultimate purpose ls
to bring about better state of feeling, not
alone between the two republics. but be-
tween the many individuals who are thus
thrown together under circumstances
which will allow them to get the greatest
advantage which each country can give.
When seen at the French embassy today
Baron d EstournelleS said: THE great evil,
among nations as we'll as among men, is
ignorance Unfortunately France knows al
most nothing of America, except that 1t Is
a very distant continent, discovered by
Christopher Columbus, some time in the
dim past. At the same time the United
tot Irou pnth Of Eran nd
the idea that 1t Is a very old country-a
sort of museum Of antiquity. This mutual
ignorance is dangerous to both countries.
The two republics are so different that
there is really no rivalry possible between
them but they can benefit each other i'm
mensely If they can only devise means Of
knowing each other little more lntl-
mately.
The First Step Taken.
That Is why 1 have taken up this sub
ject and have sought to abuse public at
tention to it on both sides Of the water.
The first step was in founding. about
year ago. committees made up of our best
known men throughout France. with a
view to interesting the people in affairs out
side Of the boundaries of France, and par
ticularly in the affairs of America. At first
we had only ten Frenchmen, known as
'deleges' delivering lectures and addresses
through all the principal towns or the
|
of the danger of their ignorance, especially
regarding the marvellous progress Of the
United States. We sought to awaken them
from their lethargy, so that, as 1t might be
said, they would discover America Tor the
second time.
Having done this much in France, 1t
seems desirable to adopt somewhat simi-
lar plans in this country in order that the
people of the United States may learn from
the example of France the many refine
ments of production in our country. This
can best be done by having various uni
versities, chambers of commerce and other
important organizations designate certain
young men to visit France, and spend q
year or two among us, learning the meth
DDS of our people. With letters introduce
ing them personally to me, would In turn
give them letters to persons In all parts
Of France, to the universities, chambers Of
commerce and similar organizations, SO
! that the American observer would be as
sured Of friendly reception in all impor-
| tant towns of France, learning about the
| country and the language, speaking French
| and In time giving lectures about American
| life. and establishing bonds Of friendship
between Frenchmen and Americans. In
| short, by this means there will be an inti-
macy created between the people Of the
| two countries and the great ocean will be
| bridged by the mutual feelings thus estab-
lished.
Choice Of Good Observers.
What is most essential in carrying out
| this plan on both sides Of the Atlantic Is
| to make a good choice Of travellers and OBJ
servers. The persons chosen for introduce
| tion must be only those of real ability and
| cleverness; good. trustworthy young men In
every way. They need have very little
| money. They can live in French towns easi-
| fy with $50 month, and they should have
no mOres than this, and preferably less.
Too much money would injure the spirit
| Of the organization and very likely defeat
| the ends in view"
| Baron d'Estournelles leaves for Chicago
| on Wednesday, where he will address the
Union League Club on Washngt ons birth
| day. developing the foregoing program and
showing the advantages it promises on both
/ sides Of the water. Later he will visit New
| York. Boston and other points to enlist the
| cooperation of educators and others in this
| comprehensive program.