Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-17
RUSSIANS AT PARIS.
France Extends an Enthusiastic
Welcome.
ARRIVAL OF ADMIRAL AVELAN.
He and His Companions Greete,
With Cheering.
SHOWERED WITH FLOWERS

Paris. Oct. 17.-After what may be term
ed a trtumphal tour from Toulon Admiral
Avelan. commander of the Russian squad
ron. and the fifty officers OF the feet ac-
companying him, arrived here at el7
o'clock this morning.
At an early hour people gathered about the
Care de Lyon, the railway station at which
the nations guests were to arrive The
square between the station and the Mazas
prison was packed with a dense mass OF
humanity long before the time for the ar
rival Of the train. The crowd extended up
the Boulevard Diderot as far as the Avenue
Daumnesnie and down as far as the river
Seine The Rue de Bercy the Rue de Lyon
and the transverse streets In the vicinity
were also filled with enthusiastic crowds,
all eager to give the Russians a true
Partisan welcome.
When the train was seen approaching the
station the crowds began to sing the Rus
sian anthem. Only few Of those present
could sing the words. but nearly all knew
the air, and the volume OF sound was
tremendous, though musical The Mazas
prison was hidden from view by an i'm
mense platform that extended its whole
length and which was packed with people.
AS the Russians officers appeared the crowd
ceased singing and shouts Of Long live
on every side. The women present were as
guished guests and their shrill voices could
be distinctly heard above the roar q the
welcoming cries.
A Wildly Enthusiastic Welcome.
1t may truthfully be said that despite the
assertion that the Parisians would keep
calm during the visit of the Russians a
more wildly enthusiastic greeting has never
In recent years been extended to the repre-
sentatives OF any nation. It is an ovation
Of which any men might be proud.
Amid the cheering crowd that surged
about the entrance to the station the Rus
slams, resplendent in full uniforms. passed.
bowing right and left, their faces wreathed
in smiles as they beheld the enthusiasm OF
the populaee Carriages were taken at the
station and the party were driven through
the Rue de Lyon to the Place de Ia Bastile.
Here they passed under q magnificent tri-
unnphai arch that spanned the place. thence
to the Church of the Madeleine.
The whole route was lined with specta-
tors, who were almost frantic In their ex-
pressions of welcome.
The decorations along the route were
displayed from every point Of vantage The
tricolor Of France and the white nag, with
the blue cross Of Russia, were everywhere
seen. and the combination Of these colors
preSeulSu very SnSSNs.
she,vered With Flowers.
Before the guests had proceeded very far
on their drive their open carriages were
almost filled with the many bouquets that
were thrown and handed to them. A
large squad OF cavalry accompanied the
Russians.
fast at the Military Club.
Av,fx
Avelan and his party will be received at
the palace Of the Elysee by President Car
not. This evening q state dinner and ball
will be given at the palace.
The day is being observed as q holiday by
thousands Of workmen, not only In Paris.
but in the suburban towns. Many excur-
sion trains were run during the day, and
each brought hundreds OF workmen to the
city.
Men were at work all night completing the
work OF decorating the city, and this morn
ing II may be said that Paris has never be-
fore been so lavishly covered with artistic
decorations. Near the Care de Lyon was
erected triumphal arch built in imitation
of the entrance of the Russian Church.
This arch particularly attracted the atten-
ton Of the Russians and drew many favor
able comments from them.
Thousands Of people, after the Russians
mad passed, thronged the streets adrniring
the decorations. that, in many instances
were truly works Of art. The most lavish
and most tasty treatment was displayed In
the Place de L'Opera, the Place de La Con-
corde. and the Place de L'Hotel de Vile
All night long the streets were filled with
people watching the progress of the decora-
ton and the experimental flluminations
The city will present beautiful appearance
this evening when the entire electrical and
gas display is made
Leaving the Madeline the procession
started for the Cercle Militaire, where the
president and members of the municipal
council or Paris were awaiting.
The president presented an address In
Admiral Avelan.
The latter made a very brief reply. say
ing ne was happy to have been chosen to
return the visit Of Admiral Gervais to
Cronstadt and St Petersburg.