Evening star., 1933-02-12
Franco-American Antagonisms
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

w1I,d rct have ned to A--e-.cc, but to
somo other nation regarded as less
friendly TO France. But the French
refugees knew that, from the French
poinv OF view at least, no love was lost
between the nations.
The officers ana men who served In
Lac American Expe5iticnary Force dur
jag the World War have never quits
understood why trench rent had to be,
paid, why France should exact payment
for the use of the soil by Americans
In the course of their preparation for
the defense OF France. A mere careful
inqur ry into the detailed history CT the
two nations would reveal the exaction
as no more than typical.
Collection Of a French Debt.
But debts are the subject of the days
chief interest and the story Of how
President Andrew jackson. who thought
no more Of the French than did Gen,
Washington, succeeded in collecting q
French debt to the United States by
threat of war MAJ be considered timely.
The American claims covered the
period between 1901 and 1917, but
nothing had been collected when An-
drew jackson assumed the presidency
in 1929. He then began :ernsrliaole
series Of notes to the French govern
ment which resulted in the signing Of
q treaty July 4, 1891, recognizing legal
ity Of the claims The 100000 was
not Immediately forthcoming. however,
and Jackson's notes and annual zes-r
sages to Congress on the subject con-
tinued. He directly accused France Of
having encouraged and even directed
the depredations against American COM
merce which had given rise to the
claims The very verge Of war was
reached, only to be averted by the arts
Of diplomacy.
The temper of the Jackson declara-
tions was conciliatory but, nevertheless,
stern. THE whole civilized world" he
declared must pronounce France to
be in the wrcng" This was strong
language coming from new nation 70
one of Frances long-tanding preten-
sions. Jackson's sixth message on The
subject left little doubt of his fixed in+
tention to collect the claims by force
II necessary. He expressed regret that
hostilities against a nation of liberal
institutions should be necessitsted, but
declared that in maintaining national
rights and honor "all governments ars
alike to u.s.
Finally, on January IS, 1896, Presi-
dent jackson, in special message To
Congress, announced that diplomatic
TeldtlOIlS IldQ DSen DEOhcll Dy tAlC ic~
turn Of the American charge d'affaires,'
Thomas p Barton, and the ordering
home to Paris Of the French charge ut
Washington He notified Congress that
France was making naval preparations
against the United States and stated
that the move must be met with the
only possible alternative-war
At this point the British rendered
their good offices and fresh negotiations
were entered into. Learning that the
new American Republic could not be
intimidatsd nor be longer put of, the
French paid.
Many other instances Of French lack
of real friendliness could be cited. For
example, when the negotiations to end
the war with Spain were going on at
Paris, the American commissioners told
tales of the manner In which French
men connived with the Spanish to i'm
prove their claims for payment for
damages in the Philippines.
While the American people feel an
undoubted friendship for France, there
is little evidence that the sentiment ts
| reciprocated/ by the French.