ENGLAND AND FRANCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8419, 19 January 1899, Page 4

ENGLAND AND FRANCE.

During tlio discussion on I lie Fn'-hoJa question, Max O'Rell published ii letter m Krench in the London Times, which in a timely way poured v little oil on the troubled waters. Deprecating the iisserlions of certain French journals that the English hate France, he says :--" In more than lliCO lectures in all parts of theuoild where they speak the Knglish language, I have tried to make Fiance known better to the Anglo-Saxon people, ami whenever I have ashed them whether tlicv hid no!. more affection for France th.in tor any other country, I have been insatiably answered by thundering applause. Again I ask, who is being deceived? Is it our leading classes, who have their host tnends in England ''. Is it our arli.-ls, who arc appreciated more in England than m any other country 7 Is it our lneichaiit^, uho have their best customers in Knghmd '.' Is It our agricultural population, who sell every year to Ihe Knuli.-h 2,1)111),00.'),0iiij frillies iif their jno'ln-"': 1~ it lli>> i-'iytn frouchnien livh.g in Kiiyl-iml, who are '

there to verify what I say ? When will these French journals ever tell their readers that British colonies arc markets open to the whole world, and are free countries to which everyone can go, and not like tho French colonies, simply military depots, where even Frenchmen refuse to go. Will certain French journals ever publish the truth? During 2S years I travelled in all parts of the world where Englishmen reside, and never, absolutely never, have I met an Englishman who had for France and Frenchmen sentiments other than admiration and deep respect.' 1