The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1917-10-12

The increasing activity OF her rail-
way system is similarly demonstrate
able. In 1869. there were In France
l0.7f3 miles of railway track In 1912.
there were 81 $40 miles.
Between 1869 and 1912, inland navi-
CATION increased 80 per cent; while
the traffic Of her mercantile marine
has amazingly expanded. The tonnage
entering French ports in 1869 is set
down rs 100000 tons. In 1912
this had been increased to 53,000,000
tons.
Leaders In American finance ascribe
this solidarity Of the French republic
TO three influences; first. n thoroughly
sound banking system. centralized In
one OF the greatest banking institutions
of the world, the Bank Of France: Sec
ond, the ingrained thrift and frugaliry
Of the French people as q whole, to-
gether with Il national economic vigor
not elsewhere surpassed; third, wise
supervision. and patriotic cooperation
by the government with banking and
business interests.
The government does It's part TO war
ant and retain the confidence OF the
holders of its securities. One OF its
wise policies is to impose new taxes to
defray the interest charges on new Sc
curlty issues. 1t began this practice
after the FrancO-PruSSian war, and is
today following the same rule in regard
10 securities issued To finance the pres
ent conflict, This continuity uf pur'
pose, doubtless. will prove rpusHuflhg
To NIL holders of French government
securities.
The Franco-Prussian war of 1870
1871 taught the French people the
meaning of thrift and economy. So
well did they learn this lesson, that
the whole sun of the indemnity de-
manded by Germany. 81. 200, 10000
was raised within the republics con-
fines by its " inhabitants and paid
off more than n year before the time
stipulated by the Germans.
The habit thus acquired has never
been forgotten by the French, and to-
day the aggregate number OF investors
purchasing the French war loans has
reached the amazing total of $4,000 900
individual subscribers. Perhaps no 9th
er country In proportion to Its popula-
ton, can make so good a~>showing.
France is particularly fortunate In
that her small investors prefer "safe"
investments rather than offerings
which promise high returns. Govern
ment rentes, In France are perpetu-
al. and this characteristic seems to OBJ
tai for these government bonds In
crcasing favor In the eyes OF the
French people.
ne points of sympathy between
FIpnce and America are too many to
enrmerate, out the spirit of liberty and
RS resultant democracy are, today rs
always, the. major deals of both ma
tons. Seeking no victories but those
of peace. no territory except their own
no sovereignty except sovereignty over
themselves - the independence and
equal rights OF the weakest member Of
the family of nations are TO the people
OF the United States and of France en-
titled TO as much respect as those of
the mightiest empire. In defense &C
these principles, France is engaged II
n death struggle with militant auto
racy and ruthless aggression, and Ii n
not surprising TO learn that she has
loaned TO her allies and to other friendly
states 000,000,0 600 francs with which
to further. the cause of democracy. 1.
Is in keeping with Americas traditions
that since the date on which we for
mally aligned ourselves with France
government has lent to France
$3.50. 100000.
1t Is emlnently fitting that America
should now be fighting on French soil
10 make the world safe for democracy,
The liberty that America has enjoyed
for 140 years France helped her to
achieve. The swords of Lafayette and
ROchambeau. aided by the guns 81 De
Grasse upon the high seas. assisted In
cutting the foreign ties that bound the
Hi''AiN@A' N'iVhiNH fAioi " lhC war iDt
independence: and from the private
purse Of King Louis himself came ttc
first loan TO Amcrica-unsecured and
unconditional--to finance that historic
undertaking. II was with entire jus
tee thut Washington wrote to Eocham-
beau. 80 the GENEROUS aid of your ma
ton and 70 the bravery OF Its sons Is
10 be aScrlbed in a very great degree
that independence for VIII. IN we have
fought"