The Savannah morning news., 1903-05-02

obvious that all was concluded in a
fortnight. The simplest protocol on
postal or sanitary questions takes
nowadays more time. Each party
found its interest in the transaction,
but something more than interest led
the affair to a speedy conclusion, and
that was the deep-rooted sympathy of
the French and American nations The
French were simply continuing what
they had begun-they had wished
America to be free, and they were glad
to think that she would be great.
Money was paid, it is true-had this
been the main consideration Louisiana
would have been preserved, for the
money was not, by far, the equiva-
lent of the buildings and lands belong
ing to the state. Part of the money
was employed in satisfying American
claims. Those says the French
negotiator, Marbois, who knew the
Importance of a good understanding
between these two countries attached
more importance to the $4,000, 900 set
apart for the American claims than to
the $12,000,O00 offered to France An.
impending war in Europe, the pos
sibihties of an occupation of Lou
lslana by foreign power, was not
either the main motive. In the coun-
Gil held at the Tuileries on Easter Day.
1903, the faithful friend of the first
consul, future marshal and Prince of
Wagram, Berthier whose first war had
been the War of American Independ-
ence, said as to this: If Louisiana is
taken away from US by our rivals.
what does it matter? Other possessions
would soon be in our hands, and by
means of an exchange, we should
quickly obtain a restitution He con-
cluded, No navy without colonies. no
colonies without a navy
Add again that the value of Louisi-
ana was much better understood than
II had been before. I know the worth
of what 1 give up said Bonaparte,
and the F%-nch government knew it in
deed They acted with open eyes. for
they had taken care, from the year of
1900, to gather all available informa-
ton. One of the memoirs with which
they enlightened themselves had been
asked of Louis Vilemont, former cap
tain in the regiment of Louisiana 1t
is still unpublished, and 1t informed the
government that from various reports
of Canadian and Indian hunters it is
possible to walk from the Missouri to
the sea in less than two months and
half An access to the Pacific was not
so eaSy as now. but yet an access was
thert1ere practicable, and the wealth
of the country was extraordinary
Warming at the souvenir of what he
knew, the retired officer exclaims:
What sources of wealth can we not
expect to find in those parts. At each
step made from east to west, all pro-
duce, all things increase tenfold. 1t
seems as if nature had made this corner
of the globe the most favored one of
her immense empire. The samples of
all reigns have more beauty and ma
jesty than anywhere else. The men
born there look more like descendants
of Alcides than kinsmen of the tribes
who worship Manitou.'
Seeing the results, my countrymen
have never ceased to approve of the
treaty signed a hundred years ago,
'au nom du peuple fraucais.' 1903 is
the third memorable date in the reia-
lions between France and America. In
giving the United States. according to
the words of your negotiator, their
place among the greatest Powers in
the world. 1903 did nothing but per-
feet what had been gloriodsly begun in
177S and 1723."
Following the "Hallelujah chorus"
from the Messiah, which was given by
the band, the Spanish minister. Senior
Don Emilio de Ojedo, spoke for Spain.
The exercises were closed by a ben
ediction pronounced by Rev. Samuel
]. Niccolls, and as the distinguished
guests left the hall a salute of one
hundred guns was fired.
The only feature of the evening was
the display of fireworks.