The sun., 1916-10-29
By r. CUNLIFFE.OWEN.

in the present war-a patriot
ism which has excited world
vide admiration. and nowhere more
than in the United States, her old time
ally and ever grateful friend has
taken many unexpected forms.
Until two years ago France wal
looked upon al a land Of political un-
rest, torn aeunder by SO many fac
tons and rivalries as to render the
task OF governing the nation accord
Ing to constitutional methods a prob
lem OF legerdemain rather than Of
ptatecraft. To confide the administra-
ton Of the destinies of the nation to
any group OF men seemed TO arouse an
overwhelming desire on the part OF
their fellow citizens to bowl them over.
The elevation OF any one to the
highest office Of the tat apparently
constituted q general invitation to
heave bricks at his head. and his only
hope OF temporary safety lay in the
~d!ssensions Of his adversaries among
themselves and in the difficulty Of
uniting their leaders in concerted ac-
ton against him. In most other coun-
tries the Executive is looked upon as
q perfectly legitimate subject Of criti-
cism. But in F.anCe he was consid-
cred an entirely justiiable object Of
attack and Of bitter warfare.
With the commencement, however,
Of tho present international c%onfiagra-
ton. and with the German invasion Of
some Of the fairest and richest prov
inces of France. the character OF her
people underwent O rapid and extraor-
binary change. The presence on
Gallo soil OF the hereditary foe, renew
ing the abominable cruelties. the ra-
pine, the ruin and desolation which
had signalized the German invasions
Of lSli-l5 and 1901. served to unite
the entire population Of France for
her defence.
Al political a~ntagonisms. no matter
how bitter: all fractional disputes, all
party and personal feuds were aban-
doned for the nonce. There was a
coalition. not alone Of the politicians
but OF the whole nation. The Ultra
montana clasped hands with the anti
Clerical, the Red Radical with the Mon
archist. h capitalist with the Social
!st. the territorial magnate with the
peasant and the noble Of ancient line,
axe Win the TepuOllCan.
Even old C~lemenceau. the icono-
clast OF innumerab.e Cabinets, VINO had
In the piping times of peace sworn TO
drive President Poincare from the Pal
ace Of the Elysee, suspended hostile
operations against his successful rival
In the race for tho Chief Magistracy OF
the republic. In fact, there sprang
fto existence. without any apparent
Port, something akin to the so-called
truce Of God Of medieval times, with
this diference; that the truce was re-
Btricted to the dissensions among the
French people, and that It was for
purposes not of peace but OF war
war against the foreign foe and alb
horred invader.
This truce received the name of the
Union Sacre, and Of the Concord
sacre. terms which have been much
misconstrued abroad.
In this Sacred Union the princes of
tho former sovereign dynastics and
the mobiles of France have played a
very notable role which, while II Is
known and appreciated on yonder side
OF the Atlantic. Is ignored to a great
extent here in America At least II
would seem SO. For at a popular
demonstration which took place in
New York some weeks ago In favor OF
France one OF the most eloquent OF
tho American speakers, a lawyer OF
national reputation, while extolling the
hero!sm Of the republican children Of
France, considered 1t necessary to re-
fer In a disparaging to her
MOBILES as effete and as lacking in
Nirility anA IN natrintisp, rforfnno "a
utterances which have furnished in
splration to the press OF other Ameri-
can cities.
Yet the princes and mobiles of France
have responded with quite as much
patriotic devotion TO the call for the
defence Of their native LAM as the
most ardent republicans. the latter of
whom are the very first to admit, with
enthusiasm and admiration, that their
ratrtcian fellow countrymen have done
their share. and more than their share,
in the fight for their beloved Tatrie.
As soon as the wal broke out the
princes Of the house OF Bourbon and
the head of the Bonaparte family n,
once issued the most perenptory direc-
tons to their adherents in France "a
desist from all further activities
against the Republican regime. and
likewise notified President Poin-
care and the Government In Paris
TIA, not a thing would be done during
The war by the Monarchists TO embar'
rass IN any way the administration
also that the authorities could rely or
MGR l6Sal cooperation In everything
pertaining to the defence OF the nation
Not content with this, they one ana