Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1901 — GREETED AS A FRENCA ALLY [ARTICLE]

GREETED AS A FRENCA ALLY

Political Side of Franco-ltalian Demonstration. ITALY PLACED ON PEDESTAL. Rapprochement Is Hailed by the Parisian Frees as an, Accomplished Fact and Even Opponents Give Praise to Loubet —Friendly Expressions. The satisfactory manner in which the functions of the week at Toulon and vicinity have been carried out has been a personal success for President Loubet of France. Nothing hut praise is heard, even from his opponents, at the able manner in which he has played his part. The accounts agree that not a false note has disturbed the harmony, and the tact displayed on all sides, from President Loubet, the Duke of Genoa and Admiral Birileff, to the minor participants in the events, was a noteworthy feature. As to the political side of the Franco-ltalian demonstration the Temps tonight, now that the speechmaking is over, puts the situation in a clear light: “The words pronounced by M, Loubet and the Duke of Genoa, and especially the telegrams exchanged between M. Loubet and the King of Italy,” says the Temps, “stamps the proceedings at Toulon with their true diplomatic significance. France and Italy gave one another officially the title of friends, which accords so well with the fraternity of their genius and blood. This is an event which must not he distorted nor wrongly interpreted. But there is little risk of exaggerating its importance, which, taking everything into consideration, is considerable. Both Italy and France have greatly changed since the time of Bismarck and Crispi. We cannot yet say what fruits yesterday will bring forth, but we augur much therefrom.” The Journal Des Debats says the events at Toulon will leave a happy souvenir in the history of France and Italy and their reapproachment will henceforth rank as an established, avowed and proclaimed fact. M. Hanotaux, the former minister of foreign affairs, in an interview, is quoted as expressing the opinion that the Toulon demonstrations were a valuable indication of the pacific sentiments animating the powers. The visit of the Italian squadron, he said, marks the end of a painful period of tension in the relations between France and Italy and points to an evolution of the sentiments of the Italian government toward France. While on board the Lepanto M. Loubet discussed with the duke of Genoa the increase and perfection of modern armaments, remarking that it would be a terrible responsibility to provoke war. - The duke of Genoa replied: “You are right, and I think such visits as these are calculated to render the relations between nations more cordial.”