Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-04
FOURTH IN FOREIGN LANDS
Celebration Of COuntry's Birthday in
European Cities.
is GREAT BANQUET IN PARIS
Ambassador white says Tariff LeEia-
lntiOn IL Not Aimed Mt France
ObservRnces In London, Der
lin and Copenhagen.
BANQUET IN PARIS

lin and Copenhagen.
PARIS, July S-The annual Fourth OF
July dinner Of the American Chamber OF
Commerce at the Hotel Palais D'orsay to-
night was exceptionally brilliant. Laurence
V, Benet, president OF the chamber. pre-
sided and covers were laid for 900. among
whom were many visiting Americans. The
guests OF honor included the American am
bassador, Henry White, NJ. Barthou, min
lister Of public works: Jacob q. S~churman
president Of Cornell university and Patrick
Murphy.
Ambassador White, who was given an
ovation, delivered the principal speech. his
reference to the aid rendered by France
in achieving American independence, and
the Increased American prosperity. under
President Taft, calling forth salvos Of
applause. His most important utterances
constituted an official assurance, addressed
directly to Minister Barthou. that the
american tariff revision, contrary to the
Idea prevailing here, was in no wise aimed
at France.
The ambassador explained that the
United states, like other countries. in an
age OF Dreadnoughts and constantly augu-
hlenting expenses, needed additional reve-
nue. and, like other popular governments,
ueslred that the increased taxation should
ran on those best able to pay II.
lie pointed out that France enjoyed al
Rich VIII StiII Purchase.
most a monopoly in articles of luxury ex-
ported to the United States for the use OF
the well-to-do, and these people would
still purchase regardless of price. Or the
other hand a slight augmentation in the
price of necessities would reduce consump-
ton. AS the primary object was the in
crease of revenue, congress, he said, did
not desire to arise the rate of ~luxurIes to
a point where importation from France
would be arrested or diminished. He fur
ther called attention to the immense uuan-
tity or French purchases, running into the
millions, which did not appear In the sta
tistics. These brought little into the United
states treasury, because they were brought
back in the trunks of tourists.
Il do not claim" said the ambassador.
that in revising the tariff our first pre-
occupation is to safeguard the interests OF
France or any other foreign country, but
L do insist that the contrary is not true"
Commerce VIII Adjust Itself.
After pointing out that the final rate
TO be retained would be adjusted in con-
ference, he concluded by saying:
Il am convinced that when our revision
has been completed the OF the
two countries will reciprocally adjust IT.
self as it has always done heretofore. In
the meantime / hope that the friendship Of
1S1 years, which has been so advantageous
to France and to the United States and
to the peace Of the world. will not be
chilled by groundless Fears that the forth
coming and pending American revision is
hostile to French expectation" p
M. Marthou, after paying a tribute to
the United States and President Taft, re-
called former President Roosevelt's words
to M. Jussersand, the French ambassa-
dor: II can imagine war with. any other
country except France" as an eloquent
expression of the deep and underlying
friendship between the two countries. The
minister said that France could only await
the contamination of the, American tariff
with some apprehension, which perhaps
must be felt on the other, because both
countries are ultra-protectionists.
There is good ground, however" con-
tinued the minister, for equitable and
reciprocal concessions. What we ask is
not a sacrifice, but only a Cancellation Of
our interests, We cannot consider the ny
p~othesis of rupture"
Less Enthusiasm for Liberty.
President Schurman, in a thoughtful
speech, warned his hearers that there was
less enthusiasm for liberty and the rights
of man in the United States and Europe
now than there was a generation ago. FIX
perience had brought disillusion.
Under popular government, as we'll as
pDdar mona rCbiac - ha aaid s'rnon unnet
toll and sweat. Poverty talks abroad.
crime flourishes; the disconnected clamor
for revolution in the hope OF the new
Elysiam. Beneath all lies the forces of
anarchism and barbarism.
The laws today seem less concerned
about civil and political liberty tina about
territorial expansion and colossal armies
and navies, yet they cannot extinguish the
yearning for democratic equality, and
socialism is the Nemesis of outraged IDEAL
ism against triumphal materialism."
Nevertheless, President Schurman viewed
with great satisfaction the conditions in
the United States, which had not escaped
the conditions Of the age, but remained
true to the purposes of the Declaration OF
Independence. He considered natural condi-
lions in the United States and the virtue
Of the people largely responsible for this,
but these very conditions, he declared,
were the source Of the great national
danger,
Boosts big Business.
1--WE have dedicated ourselves he said.
ito the exploitation OF our resources with
an energy so irresistible that it would not
brook the restraints of law and morality.
Material prosperity has blinded conscience.
The world Of high finance and big business
became a law unto itself by alliances with
political leaders and bosses, and some times
controlled legislatures, governors and even