FRANCE AND GERMANY.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 77, 22 November 1884, Page 6

FRANCE AND GERMANY.

London, October 12.— While there are still many sources of friction between Germany and France, the Prime Ministers of those countries are, oddly enough, indulging in effusive mutual admiration. Ferry, when he received Count Herbert Bismarck the other day, heaped upon him assurances of the very distinguished consideration which he entertained for his father. The latter has now returned the compliment with interest iv an interview with a leading diplomat at Berlin. The rugged old Chancellor assured the diplomat that he had a very high opinion of the French Premier, and continued as follows : " Ferry is the one Frenchman with whom it is possible to negotiate, whose hand one can take without fear of grasping something concealed. Ferry is a steady man, like a German. Without parade, without special gifts of oratory, ho is resolute, strong, and capable. He has proved by his own force of character that the French are easily governed if you will ignore their foibies. Don't combat them ; don't prohibit them. Close your eyes to them, and go on with the work of government as though they did not exist. The trouble with the French is they have been badly governed before" 1 Now they are well governed, and, in fact, no people on earth obey better than the French if they feel the strong hand."