Evening star., 1919-04-03
SEESCHANGE mus.
FEELING FOR ALLY
French Journalist, Returning,
Analyses Causes of Discov-
cred Friction.
HOPES 1T is TEMPORARY
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

What are the reasons for the re-
ported change in sentiment in the
United States toward her traditional
friend. France? Americans NAV have
their own ideas, but the views of a
Frenchman who has been making a
special study Of this subject in the
last Few weeks are expositofy of .the
other side" which is so vital always
TO the impartial examination Of any
question.
TWO years ago George LeChartier,
prominent author and journalist,
came to Washington to represent
Pett Parisien. one Of the leading
French dailies. He won the confidence
Of officials generally and frequently
toured the United States during the
war to discover American sentiment
toward European problems. He went
10 Paris last November with the
American correspondents who were
assigned to write about the peace con-
ference, and he came back to the
United States when President Wilson
did
He Notes Change.
He is returning to France today and
asked him to analyze the reasons for
the apparent misunderstanding and
conflict between the French and
American delegates at Paris and the
change. in sentiment toward France
manifested in this country
regret to saw said NJ Cbo rfior
that there has been a change in
American sentiment toward France
/ hope it is only temporary, but we
must recognize that it exists
Two years ago France was every
where praised. Americans were ef-
fusive when they met Frenchmen.
We were welcome and made to feel
that way. Before the war, indeed.
France had place in American hearts
which Was enviable. 1 have been
back in the United States four weeks
and have observed many changes in
public feeling about France.
Puts Blame on Soldiers.
First. it must be attributed TO
what returning American soldiers are
saying about France. Naturally they
have gone through many hardships
and are glad to get home.
Their chief complaint seems to be
that the French people overcharged
them. l cannot but think that the
American troops were partly to blame
themselves for high prices. Many of
actually lighted their cigarettes with
hve-franc notes when they arrived in
France. Naturally. some of our mer-
chants thought all Americans must
be millionaires, and charged accord
ingly.
"Also. being unacquainted with the
value of French money. the Ameri-
can troops paid anything that was
asked, and the merchants took ad-
of their failure to protest
troops of other countries had to pay
the same prices and that the Ameri-
cans as a rule were not an object
of special discrimination.
Scents Propaganda.
Second. the sentiments heard on
returning steamers from France and
in this country are SO pronounced that
they have the appearance to me Of an
organized propaganda. Some day we
may know more about this than we
do now.
Third, the press reports of the |
peace conference in Paris have given |
an impression of constant conflict be- !
tween the French and American dele |
the American delegation as well as
most of the American correspondents |
because Of their inability to talk the |
French language. have not fully un-
lerstood the French point OF view.
I'VE do not insist that Germany shall |
not have food, but we do insist that |
before the Germans are fed we shall |,
have compensation in materials or
SO that we may get started |
again. The Hotel Crillon. where the |
American delegates and most OF the !
American correspondents gather, |,
gives only one point of view. There !
ought to be more effort made to get |
the underlying reasons for the vari- |
ous proposals made by France.
Resent Presidents Action.
Then. it must not be forgotten that |
President Wilson Is not as strong |
with French opinion as he used TO be. !
am revealing no secrets perhaps |
when l say that Frenchmen generally |
resented the fact that he gave audi |
,nce in the first few days OF his Visit |