The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-15
HISTORY FOR A HYPHEN.
France and French Public Opinion In
Our Revolutionary War.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: \
letter attacking the Lafayette Fund and
signed "Hyphenated American appeared
IN TIRE L Of Mach 3. While | can
fully understand that as n German
sympathiZer the author of that letter
Is not in accord with the purposes of
the Lafayette Fund, / must ask for
space In which TO correct a number OF
misStatements.
First The sending of the Lafayette
kits to French soldiers in order to pro-
vide them with articles tending to pre-
vent their getting pneumonia and at the
same time to make their suffering a little
less acute is not in any way a breach
of neutrality, II "~Hyphenated Ameri-
can" thinks 1t IL he had better consult
any lawyer familiar with International
affairs.
Second "Hyphenated American
states that although France did help us
In the American Revolution 1t was done
because France was at var with Great
Britain" and not because. the French
people took any interest in us. Now |
10 not know what is taught in German
schools, but If "Hyphenated American
Will read any history published In this
country he will discover that hostilities
III our revolt against Great Britain
started with the battles OF Lexington
and Concord on April 10, 1875, and that
rance had been at peace with Great
Britain since the treaty of Paris in 1863.
During the early years OF the American
revolution France supplied us secretly
with munitions of wal sufficient to equip
over 10000 troops. and it was with
French muskets and French powder that
we won the decisive battle Of the Revolu-
ton, the battle OF Saratoga, which took
place October I, 1777. There was no
war between Great Britain and France
Until the latter signed a treaty of al
lance with the colonies on February &.
lUS. | have not space here to trace
the influence Of public opinion In France
which led the Cabinet of Louis XVI "a
sympathize with our cause and finally
TO form an alliance with us. Suffice /,
To say that In l775 those Ideas of in.
dividual rights and liberty which cul.
minated In the French Revolution In
l,>3 were agitatinE the minds Of all
classes of Frenchmen. The revolt OF the
Atnerlcan colonies struck a sympathetic
chord throughout the French nation
Ideals discussed everywhere in France
were actually being put in practice In
America. The reception given TO Frank.
in as the great exponent Of human
rights knew no bounds. lie became tn,
IDOL Of the French nation. not of tn.
Cabinet at Versailles. II was publ,
opinion In It's true sense tina, forced the
hand OF Louis XVI. II "Hvnhenated
American" cares to be further Informed
on this point ] heartily recommend hin
10 read France In the American Revolu.
ton" by the late James Breck Perkins
Third "Hyphcnated American" says
IL there any doubt that France entered
Il Ohe present war; without any excuse
except that she considered the momenr
opportune 20 crush Germany with the he =
OF her allies? when was the independence
OF France or the spirit OF liberty threat.
ened and by whom
| have no intention Of asking YOU in.
diligence In order TO discuss these oues.
lions. Pretty much every one who care,
to has already read the official CORE.
spondence Issued by the several belligcr,
ent Powers Furthermore. ! take it tina
pretty much every one has formed ar
opinion based on this nee
'Hyphenated Americans" deduction "a
interesting rs illustrating a habit o.
mind.
As he asks In his solici:ude for younl
America II II Is necessary to falsify
history and to deceive our children"
rope that the dehyphenated offspring o
this anonymous scribe may acquire tn,
habit OF ascertainins the facts befor,
submitting conclusions to an ndulgeu
public. WILLIAM BEVERLEY RoGsRs.
Member Executive Committee Lafayett.
Fund.
New YORK, March IS.