Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-12
WANTS ]. S. DRAWN
CLOSER TO FRANCE
Premier Steeg Sees Peace of
World Aided if Nations
Cooperate.
BY JOSEPH E. sHARKEY.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, January 12.-Theodore Steeg,
premier of France, in an interview with
the Associated Press today, urged eco
nomic and intellectual cooperation be-
tween France and the United States as
q means of establishing and maintain
ing the peace and happiness of the
world
Tomorrow he goes before Parliament,
perhaps to begin battle which will de-
termine just how long he will remain
at the helm of the French ship Of state,
but in this first interview since he as
sumed office, this statesman, whom
Lord Balfour, during the World War,
regarded as the most lucid mind IN
France, was apparently as calm and
carefree as though, as in his earlier
days, he were professor expounding
philosophy in school room.
Physically and mentally this man
evokes the memory of William James,
the American philosopher. whose works,
like these of Emerson and the French
philosopher, Auguste Comte, the premier
profoundly admired.
Has Affection for U. S.
ct have a deep affection for the Re-
public of the United States" the
premier said. I'VE have striven together
SO long for independence and liberty.
In 1917, when I was minister OF public
instruction, / had many contacts with
representatives of American universe
ties. and I always have thought that
the intellectual relations between our
two nations should be closer. Having
the same culture and sensibilities, we
should unite our efforts to advance our
scientific achievements and our artistic
genius"
Premier Steeg for long time was
governor general of Algeria and resident
general in Morocco, SO it was only nat
ural that he should choose to head the
ministry of colonies in the present cabi-
net. with Jurisdiction over the welfare
Of SO, 600, 900 colonials. His aim for the
French colonies is high, he said.
France Is determined to attract, to
win over and to give the populations
under her protection conditions OF life
which will be more settled, more ele-
waited and more dignified.
Creative Aims Stated.
"For us colonization is less a matter
where we are trying to organize 'asso-
Citations of natives and French in the
fields of economics and politics. We
are doing this in Algeria, where repre-
sentatives of the natives are members
of the municipal councils of an equal
footing with their French colleagues In
Morocco and In all our other colonies.
st rejoice" he said, ''at the decision
of President Hoover and the American
Congress to take part in the great CO.
loniaI exposition at Paris this year, but
what as most deeply moved the people
Of France is Americas preservation OF
Mount Vernon, the home Of Gen. Wash
inRton, whose memory is revered IN
France as in the United States.
$50 many memories bind our two
nations that I am confident that in the
future we will continue to labor together
in friendly, mutual trust, striving to con-
solidate the peace Of the world.
II feel confident also that by COLI
laboration in q field less glorious, per-
haps, than in the past, but infinitely
more productive, our two republics VIII
cooperate for a solution Of the practical
problems of economics and finance.
(copyrisht. 1891. by the Associated PressJ