Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-06
Inhospitable Weather Marks the Arrival Of
Russia's Imperial Master.
czAR LANDS DURING A FURIOUS GALE
bright Morning Mt Portsmouth Turns
10 n synsh of Rain aud Wind
at CherbourG, Spelling
the Display.

France Their majesties passed the night oil
board the imperial yacht Pole Star The
weather was fine and cold. All the vessels
IN the harbor were dressed, rainbow fashion,
from stem to stern, and the imperial couple
were given a hearty sendof.
The Pole Star proceeded to Spithead, and
was there saluted oy the British fleet, com
manded by Vice Admiral Lord Walter Tall OFT
Kerr, which formed in two lines, and, with
the Pole Star in the center, proceeded sea
ward TO meet the French fleet from Cher
bourg which was TO escort the imperial
party to that city.
CHERBOURG, Oct. 5.-The bad luck which
seems to cling to the car showed Itself again
today. The most elaborate preparations had
been made TO receive the Russian travellers.
The wae from the landing stage to the hall
Of the arsenal had been covered with silk
hangings, shields, bannerets and flowers, the
landing stage itself was beautifully draped.
Venetian masts were erected at many points,
and floral bunting and other decorations
displayed everywhere, but when the work
was complete the weather became threaten
ing and later n terrific squall swept over
the city and port, telling the Venetian masts
to the ground, scattering the decorations in
all directions and inflicting great damage
generally This morning however, hundreds
OF men were set to work repairing the
damage, and every possible effort was
directed toward having the arsenal, the
landing stage and the approaches made
bright with fresh decorations for the coming
of the czar and czarina.
FRENCH WARSHIPS WAITING.
The French northern squadron, consist
ing OF twenty-one vessels and including the
Charles Martel. first class battleship; the
Hoche battleship. with Vice admiral
Regnauet de Premesnl on board; the Jean
Bart Descartes Jemmapes and fifteen
at o'clock In single file, gale OF wind
blowing. Before tie war ships were outside
the harbor they were almost completely
hidden from view by a heavy rain storm
which did further damage to the decorations
ashore. The gale also increased in force
and heavy sea began to thunder on the
coast.
At noon the news was signaled that the
Russian imperial yacht had Joined the
Russian squadron and was proceeding to
this port with the French escorts at each
side.
As the wind was against the escorting
squadron and the ships appeared it was
seen that the Pole Star was rolling heavily.
The French ships in the roadstead
formed up in two lines and the Russian
Yacht passeu UetweegI chow. -snantacle
was grand one, the bands on board the
French ships played the Russian anthem
and the sailors dressed sides and cheered
heartily. The czar stood upon the bridge
of the Pole Star and responded to the cheers
with military salute.
The Pole Star followed by the Standard
then led the way into the harbOr, upon
which the land batteries poured forth an
imperial salute. President Faure, in even
ing dress, wearing the order of st. An
drew and surrounded by the president of the
Senate, NJ. Loubet: M. Brisson, president of
the Chamber of Deputies; NJ Meline pres
ident OF the council of ministers; M Hano-
taux, minister of foreign affairs; Admiral
Besnard, minister of marine; Baron Won
Mohrenhem, the Russian ambassador to
France; the members of the Russian en-
bassies and the staff appointed to wait upon
the czar and czarna during their stay in
France awaited their majesties' arrival at
the landing stage where a company of
marines, flag flying and band playing, was
drawn up.
The officers appointed to attend upon the
czar are General lie Mouton de Boisdeffre
Rear Admiral Roustan. Colonel de Lestapis
Colonel Oudard, Lieutenant Colonel Meme
tro2. Commandant PaulIin de Saint More
Ian and Commandant Chanzy. The officers
attached to the person of the c2arina are
Vice Admiral Gervais, Lieutenant Colonel
Meunier and Lieutenant Colonel de Las
tours. In addition to these officers men
toned. eight captains have been placed al
tho disposal OF General de Boisdeffre to ac,
as orderies.
POLE STAR DOES DAMAGE.
The Pole Star was destined to have an
other unpleasant experience before landing
the cZar and czarina. As she was towed by
two tugs alongside the obsolete dispatch boat
Bisson, which had been moored against
the quay in order to serve as a pontoon
she crashed heavily against the gangway
which had been run out from the Bisson
and smashed 1t to pieces. But the gang
way was almost Immediately replaced by
another and the czar and czarlna stepped
ashore,
Every point of vantage was black with
people and the utmost enthusiasm pre-
vailed Hats. handkerchiefs, etc. were
waved In the air and for the first time since
the fall of Napoleon III there arose from
an immense French crowd the almost for
gotten shout, 'Vive + Empereur" But II
was soon followed by other cries of "Vive
la Tsar" 'Vive la Russie," during which
several baskets of flowers were presented to
the c2ar. President Faure presented the
car filled with roses, ptnks and azalas and
drawn by doves.
The czarlna was the first to land holding
In her hand light, unopened umbrella,
She was dressed simply in 4 gray costume
with a cape and wore a straw hat trimmed
with roses de France, The c2ar wore the
uniform of naval captain and displayed
the insignia of the grand cross OF the legion
OF honor His majesty stepped forward
firmly with his left hand on the hilt of his
sword, He showed no signs of fatigue.
The czar touched his cooked hat as he
passed before the French flag and his salute
Was greeted Win prolonged SHOUTS. lfeSl-
dent Faure was ON the landing stage and
bowed deeply and kissed the czariua's hand
anu welcomed the czar to French soil. the
latter replying TO the presidents salutation
with military salute, and then taking NJ
Faures hand, The president asked So
ltcitously whether the cZarina had not euf-
fered greatly in the course of the rough
passage across the channel. The czar
thanked him for the inquiry and reassured
him regarding the czarina's welfare lie
further expressed the pleasure he felt in
AT last achieving his iong-formed project of
visiting France.
SUNSHINE AT LAST.
President Faure gave his arm 20 the Czar-
ina. while the czar walked on the presidents
right hand AS the party assembled the
steps leading to the hall. decorated IN Louis
XIV style, the premier, presidents of the
Chambers. and others followed them. ana
the sunlight burst through the c,nuds for
the first time during the day, thus dspell-
ing the gloomy feelings OF those who had
remarked the unlucky storm % the n.ght
and morning, and the incident of the wreck
OF the gangplank at the landing stage The
invited guests were already seated IN the
reception hall and they arose as he car
ard czarina and the president entered The
latter escorted their majesties TO the raised
platform, where President Faure took m
position in the middle, with the imperial
guests on either side OF him The various
present tations were then made. anS ihe party
proceeded to the diplomatic hall between