Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-20

Correspondent Comments
on Feeling Shown Toward
Allied Nations at Fete.
OVATION FOR U. S. TROOPS

BY PAUL SCOTT MOwRER.
Special Gable to The Sunday Star and
Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1919.
PARIS, July 1s-French and for
eign statesmen and diplomats who
witnessed the great victory celebra-
ton were asking themselves these
four questions:
/. How would the Italian troops be
received? Most observers were as
tonished in view of the unfortunate
Fiumes incidents at the enthusiasm
displayed toward tn 3 Italian warriors
and especially toward the red cravats
of the Garibaldians. This enthusiasm
seemed to show that whatever official
differences there may be between the
French and Italians the French people
do not share in it. 1t augurs we'll for
the speedy Improvement of the rela-
lions between these two Latin sis
ters."
As to Britain.
2. How would the British be re-
ceived? The relations between France
and Britain have never been imperil-
ed by the same sentimental extrav-
agances which have afflicted Franco
American relations. These two nations
were enemies for so many centuries
that they became pretty well dis
illusioned regarding each other. The
French greeted Britain's entry into
the war in 1914 with a great rush
of gratitude. which. however, soon
cooled to a sort Of stern business
friendship. The French populace on
Monday seemed to give the British
due credit for their splendid accom-
any exaegeration. The relations be-
tween France and Britain are based
frankly on a realization Of common
interest extending to a certain point
and no farther. Under the present
circumstances this is perhaps the
tional friendship.
Americans Reception.
ceived? Franco-American relations
have hitherto gone through one emo
tional crisis after another. Before the
war America was known to the
French people as a place whence
millionaire" tourists came to Paris.
from the world horizon as the most
powerful neutral All the belligerents
dislfked her accordingly Our failure
to enter the war after the sinking Of
the Lusitania, combined with the
French impression that we were max
tress. brought us to the nadir of I'M
popularity. Our decision to fight re-
stored us to Frances good graces, and
the achievements of our troops last
summer brought Frances pro-Ameri-
canism to a mad frenzy. Gradually.
however, the complaining and critical
attitude of the American soldiers.
combined with disappointment at
President Wilson's role in the peace
conference. caused this feeling to cool.
Tn ID
number to the French and our troops
received an ovation. This favorable
reaction was due partly no doubt to
the announcement of the Franco
American alliance project, but partly
also to the cementing Of a real
friendship based both on common in
terests and on multiplicity of pleas
ant personal relations. So many ups
and downs during the last five years
are disconcerting, but are no. more
than natural when it is considered
that Americas entry into world poll
tics is SO recent and that our future
relations even with our present
friends can in consequence hardly be
foreseen.
General Attitude.
4. What would be the general atti-
tude OF the French crowd?->e The
answer to this question is simple. It
was one of unbounded joy and salts
faction. France, which at the time
the armistice still had the mentality
of defeated nation, has at last be-
come fully conscious of victory Only
the socialists are disconnected and
their discomfort arises from a clear
perception that the majority Of the
nation reject their views. They ex-
press themselves as frankly Disguised
with all this patriotic" uproar and
blame the masses for giving such ac-
tarism.''