The Washington herald., 1907-07-14
FRANCES. GREAT DAY
BY ExATTACHE
BY Ex,ATTAcHE

ton, are so averse 10 expstriation. It IS
doubly cruel. Such mobiles as the Dukes
of Luynes. Of Brissac, OF Noailles, Of
Uzes. &c. who have everything at pres
ent to make life agreeable 10 them in the
way Of wealth and social position, do not
relish the notion OF mourning Punishment,
Of being deprived OF the enjoyment OF all
their possessions fortunate indeed, II
these are not conhscated), and Of being
obliged either TO educate their children
abroad as foreigners. or else 70 live sepa-
rated from them. AS It is now, they are
subjected to no hardships whatsoever by
the government OF the republic which
treats them with the utmost considera-
ton, and even accords TO a large number
Of them annuities Of considerable size.
granted 10 their ancestors in monarchlcal
times, and which have been paid regularly
ever since, the republic declining 20 abol-
ish them. These annuities aggregate
some millions Of dollars.
Although the present Clemenceau ca6i-
net has been described as a Redical-
Socialist ministry. yet It has been forced
by the necessity Of maintaining law and
order TO adopt position often diametri-
cally opposed to socialist movements.
This has won for Il the support OF the
more moderate element Of the Republi-
can party, and as long as It continues
to sacrifice its sOcialistic sympathies
TO the cause Of law and order. and to
constitute itself a bulwaTk for the de-
Tense Of property against the well-nigh
anaTchiCal aspirations or the extreme
left wing Of the Radicals, il will continue
TO enjoy the good viii Of the vast major
ity Of the people. It must thoroughly be
understood that the bulk Of the pOpula-
ton OF France owns property in the shape
OF land, business, or savings. They are
mostly small holdings But still they
have the effect of rendering the people
anxious above everything else for a gov
eminent that safeguards the rights OF
property-for a regime that declines 10
mulct the thrifty for the benefit Of the
improvident and the idle, which repre-
sents after all the principal aim Of social.
ism. The popular tendency IN France is,
therefore, not toward monarchy, but in
the direction Of a moderate, conservative
republic, which viii satisfy property hold
eTs-that is 20 say, the grande and the
petite bourgeoise, the rich manufacture
ers and the petty traders, the mobiles and
the small farmers-that their vested in
terests are safe from the attacks Of social
ism.
This confidence does not yet exist 70
any great extent, but it is growing, and
meanwhile an immense amount Of capital
is lying idle in France. Il has been with
drawn from Russia. and the people TO
whom II belongs. and who represent ell
classes Of the population, are not suffi-
/ ciently assured Of the power. stability.
and conservatism Of the present govern
ment at Paris 10 warrant its being in
vested at home. Aware Of this fact. the
/ japanese are directing all their efforts 10
/ induce the French to place IL at the dis
/ posal Of their government and Of their
4 industries. They need money above ev-
/ erything else just at present, and are
/ handicapped by its want. Naturally, the
! French investor will not intrust his capt.
/ tai 10 the japanese if he has the slightest
/ idea that Il may be used for purposes OF
war Consequently we may look FOR a
policy OF the utmost Cancellation toward
! Uncle Sam on the part OF Japan, prompt
/ ed by her hope Of securing some OF the
vast idle capital and Of the huge stores
of gold now awaiting investment in
France. If France, encouraged by her
recent treaty with Japan. allows her fears
as to the misuse of the capital 10 be
lulled. Japan will become more powerful
than it is to-day. Under the circum-
stances. il would be preferable for the
French capitalists TO invest their spare
shekels in the United States. Here. al
/ least, they would have the assurance
that the money would be TemUneratively
used by their oldest friends in a country
of boundless prosperity, Tor purposes OF
peace instead OF for war.