The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1917-10-16

The increasing activity OF her rail.
way system is similarly demonstrate
able. In 1869, there We're in France
10,743 miles Of railway track; in 1912,
there were 81, $40 miles.
Between 1869 and 1912, inland navl-
cation increased $50 per cent; while
the traffic of her mercantile marine
has amazingly expanded. The tonnage
entering French ports in 1869 Is set
down as 100000 tons. In 1912
this had been increased to 100000
tons.
Leaders in American finance ascribe
this solidarity of the French republic
to three influences; first, a thoroughly
sound banking system, centralized in
one of the greatest banking institutions
of the world, the Bank of France; sec
ond, the ingraned thrift and frugnliry
of the French people as whole, to-
gether with n national economic vigor
not elsewhere surpassed third, wise
supervision, and patriotic cooperation
by the government with banking and
business interests.
The government does its part to war
rant 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
curity issues. It began this practice
after the FrancO-Prussian war, and Is
today following the same rule in regard
to securities issued to finance the pres
ent conflict. This continuity of pur-
pose, doubtless, will prove reassuring
to all holders of French government
securities.
The Franco-Prusslan war of 1870
1871 taught the French people the
meaning Of thrift and economy. SO
we'll did they learn this lesson, that
the whole sum of the indemnity de-
manded by Germany S1000,000,000,
was raised within the republics con-
| fines by It's own inhabitants and paid
Off more than one 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 100000
individual subscribers. Perhaps no 9th
err 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
mont rentcs, in France are perpetu-
al, and this characteristic seems TO OBJ
tain for these government bonds In
! Crcusing favor in the eyes of the
French people.
a., the points of sympathy between
| France and America are too many to
cnumoratc, but the spirit OF liberty and
its rgeultQnt democracy are, today ms
always, the major ideals of both na,
lions. 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 rs much respect ms those, OF
the mightiest empire. In defense OF
these principles, France Is engaged IN
death struggle with militant 0utoc
Iacy and ruthless aggression, and it Is
not surprising to learn that she has
loaned to her allies and to other friendl!
states 7,OOOOOOOOO francs with which
TO further the cause of democracy. 4
Is i'm kcoplng with Americas traditions