The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-10-11

opinion assumed the form or bitter
revenge. the wish was more or less
@ prevalent that Germany be crushed.
The SOLDERING reflection has come.
The mass thought in France now is
that the preservation Of Germany is
"a. essential to France. The world wide
+ psychology OF 1918 and 1919 was diff
ferent from what IL Is now. There is
some feeling that the present admin
'stration in France measures the exist
ing public opinion by what II was four
years ago.
4 very eminent Frenchnan said that
we must not judge the press nor the
opinion OF France by the press and
the opinion in Paris. He thinks that
the provincial newspapers are more
influential and he cited in support OF
this the fact that they had compelled
the government TO 80 arrange railroad
schedules as TO make II moro difficult
for the Paris papers to compete with
the local publications in their own
fields, The point Of his argument was
that the ruling sentiment IN France Is
more liberal toward the question Of
roparations than the government be-
lievos It TO be.
There is some impotence manifested
toward Franco in European centers and
Il seems TO hav spread 20 America. 1t
grows out Of two things, first. the be-
lief that the present attitude Of
Trance toward yeparations Is too I'M
bending, ana second, that too much OF
the proceeds OF the billion dollar
hond sale was not used for the express
purpose Of repairing devastated terri
tory. II should IN all fairness be stated
that the reparation treras did not rep
resent the amount that was in the
French mind at the time OF the peace
.s-gt- for TE
is not upon France nor upon America
either for that matter. But that will
Ice dealt with later.
With respect to the alleged misuse OF
moneys derived from the recent sale of
bonds. the Truth is that many millions
OF dollars were expended for pensions
u 10 also true that taxation is not be-
ing imposed in France as in the other
allied countries in support OF existing
burdens.
The item Of pensions does not belong in
reparations. II was a violation OF the
fourteen points on which the armistice
agreement rested. This is the strongest
point that has been made against the
treaty. The charge Of broken faith re-
mains. II Is generally admitted now
that II was 4 mistake both from the
standpoint Of ethics and economies l
found no one who attempted TO defend 1t.
The French are great newspaper read
ers Seemingly nine out Of ten persons
YOU meet have q newspaper You rarely
see a Frenchman either in the eNelu-
sive or popular restaurants. or partah-
ing Of his breakfast rolls and coffee on
the sidewalk in front OF an eating place
who Is not reading his paper. Later in
the day he will sip n glass Of wine or
a glass Of beer for an hour while he fol-
lows the expressed policy of his favorite
Journalist. The politics of the day claim
his first interest.
A few Of the French journalists are
DISTINGUISHED by virtue OF great ability
and conscientious regard OF the highest
ethics OF the profession. Clemenceau
has been more or less OF popular
idol hut his enemies are bitter and
powarful. They were able by oombina-
tion 10 defeat his election in the Chamber
Of Deputies meeting at Versailles.
When we visited this historic palace.
we heard an earnest but good -natured
argument going on between Frenehman
and an American. The latter insisted
that the form OF French government
was not based upon the essentials or
pure democracy. and cited in support OF
his theory the method Of choosing
president by legislative machinery
rather than by a direct vote He called
attention
which the central government appoints
pysfects Of the provinces or depart
msnts. He summed UP his argument
with the observation that there was
serious trespass on the principle of To-
cal autonomy.
The response Of the Frenchman was
found In these words: That may be
true, but our people would bitterly re-
sent-in fact would not tolerate govern
mental interference with rights which
we deem 10 be personal. Our govern
rnent may not be as democratic as
YOURS in some ways, but IL is very
much more so in others" The Amerl-
can came back with this observation:
Yes, but your government has taken
absinthe and drugs away from you.
Prime Minister, Not
President, Big Figure.
IN France. the prime minister is the
outstanding figure in public interest
The president plays minor role. Poin-
care is a serious minded, conscientious
man with many elements Of strength OF
character. lie has had a long training
in the public service, and at the present
moment seems 20 be very popular.
whether the present government viii
he returned Is ~ question that is maoh
discussed.
The French people have not responded
20 taxation with the same spirit which
anifnateS the English. One Of these
DAYS the ledger must he balanced in
revenues and disbursements. This will
make q stormy path for the administra-
ton that recognizes what must be done,
and then eourageously applies itself TO
the task OF doing H.
students outside Of France believe
that Caillaux will come back. The aver
age native laughs a. the idea. II were
making a prediction, 1t would be that
IL more stressful times come and the
exlstlnE regime Is turned out Albert
-. gu NnnAnr IN The rnfnrn1-