What Prance Thinks

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 October 1915, Page 2

What Prance Thinks

Al. J'leiiUii, formerly r rencli. Minister lor foreign Alfairs says that .it . s remarkable that in all the reports of tlie dillereut efforts ol oor many, with a view to the conclusion of a separata peace, no suggestion should have been made ol any stops on the part of England. TluiTui one of the mocst signilicant tributes that "Germany could pay to the people and the Uovurauient of Great Britain. It proves two tilings: First, that in life minds of the Emperor and his agents hatred of England persists, and that it dominates them; and, second, that the impossibility of arriving at an understanding between the two peoples is recognised in advance. They consider it useiess to attempt to seduce iier. 1 regret that France has not been so well treated. The idea that the French separate themselves from their Allies, sign their own death warrant, dishonour CHemselves as the violators of Belgian neutrality have done, betray their brothers in arms, place their nocks under tlw yoke of Germanism—this idea is so insensate that it can only enter into • in Heads oi' those who have lost their own coinmonsense.

"England may pride herself on being regarded as the chief obstacle to tlm full realisation of dreams based on qualities so precious. It is a great honour for her to lie singled out for special treatment on the part of those who possess them, and lo be regarded as' incapable of being reconciled to ..tho idea of bowing down helore such immoral supremacy. is bred n similar material supremacy. Thi? consideration supports a theory -which I have always maintained, namely, that in the conflict to which Europe has been summoned in defence of its honour, its liberties, and ite rights, it -s the United Kingdom winch represents the greatest poAver of resistance antl the elements most certain to determine ultimate victory. hi this sense 1 answer those Englishmen who are afraid that we in France do not appreciate at their full value tho support they are lending to tTie conffiet m which they are playing so glorious a part. One of the most colossal stupidities of which the Germans could' he dupes is to suppose that ifiov can succeed in sowing distrust between London and Paris by belittling in tKeir talk the merits of the British army, hv repeating their ponderous jokes about 'British egoism.' and by re-writing in their own "way the history of our ancient rivalries. If we clearly understand that the army of Kitchener and French gives us help which we cannot value -to highly, wo realise still more thoroughly that the "British Navy ha* rendered incalculable services. • 'iti;, i« the universal belief of Frenchmen, and all that Teutonic publicists can invent in,the hope oP shaking this conviction, •w'hiph is based on irrefragable evidence. will only result in the confusion of their authors." " "_T ■ .