THE' LEADING CIVILIZED COUNTRY - IN THE WORLD ?
[To the'Editor of the SpEcrAron.]
Sza,—One frequently sees references to France as the leading civilized country of the' world. Although I suppose it is impossible to indict a nation, it is also, I suppose, equally impossible to libel a nation, and so it may be permissible to an inquirer to ask precisely on what grounds this claim is based and apparently widely admitted.
There are, I see, many features' In the social life of the -French which might lead one to,.tfie conclusion that Abe claim cannot, be justified... Tahe as examples• their use of dogs as beasts of burden ; the low status of women ; the attitude, or successive- governments towards Geneva as regards the. White Slave problem ; the national sentiment towards licensed prostitution ; sanitation ; indecent publica- tions and the open sale thereof ; the attitude of French juries towards crimes of passion " a recent case of murder by a member of the aristocracy and finally the people's notorious and inescapable xenophobia.
I do not include in my list such items as Chanak, Lausanne, military hegemony, debt reduction and the like, because I suppose I should be answered that these are political matters ..and have nothing .to do with. civilization. , Frankly I am puzzled at this large and well-established
claim.—I am, Sir, &c., INQUIRES,,. [Our correspondent raises an extremely interesting question. What really are the proofs of civilization in a nation + We have been Content:to accept the traditional view of Prince as the great _element in the continent of Europe. -En. Spec.]
Previous page
