The San Francisco call., 1896-10-07
Never Before Has There Been
Such a Vast Crowd in the
French Metropolis.
MILLIONS LINE THE STREETS.
Police and Soldiers Out in Great
Force to Protect the Royal Visit.
ors From Possible Insults.

PARlS, FRANCE Oct. 6.-The Car has
come and Paris has gone wild in welcom-
ing him. 1t is believed that never before
has such a multitude of strangers been in
the city. 1t was estimated last night that
over LOCO, 900 visitors were here, and all
through the night every arriving train
from the north, south and west brought
in its quota of strangers to swell the crowd
already here. Even to-day the streets
have been packed with late corners. 1t is
impossible TO even approximately esti-
mate the mum Der OF visitors, but it would
not be at all surprising if their number
was nearer 100000 than 100000. The
weather was sunny and everything was
propitious for the great popular welcome
that had been prepared for the white Gear.
who is undoubtedly to-day the idol of the
French people.
The railway over which the Czar trav-
eled from Cherbourg, from which place he
started last evening, had erected a special
station for the use of his Majesty at Passy
Banlieue. Here an immense crowd was
gathered at an early hour, MANY of those
present having remained in the vicinity
throughout the night in order to be sure
and get glimpse of the Czar and Czarina
as the imperial visitors entered the city.
The entire route from the station to the
Russian En- bassy at 70 Rue de Grenelle
ST. Germain, was packed with people be-
fore 8 o'clock. The route was across the
Bois de Boulogne, through the Avenue du
Bois de Boulogne, Place de PEtoile, in
which stands the Arc de Triomphe, thence
down the Avenue des Champs Elysees to
and across the Place de Ia Concorde, to and
across the Pont de la Concorde and down
the Boulevard ST. Germain to Rue st. ST.
mon, which leads directly to the entrance
of the Russian EN- bassy.
The entire route was decorated with
magnificent and tasteful arches and pillars
and French and Russian colors. A nov
city in decoration was seen on the trees
along the route. These were covered with
paper flowers of all kinds and were very
handsome, the colors adding materially
to the beauty of the scene. The Palais d Pin
dustrie, on Avenue des Champs Elysees.
and the Chamber of Deputies, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Ministry of War and
Ministry OF Public Works, all of which
are close TO the Boulevard st. Germain,
were especially noticeable for the beautiful
and artistic arrangements of their decora-
tions.
The whole garrison of Paris was turned
out in honor of the imperial visitor and
for the practical purpose of guarding the
route along which he passed. The soldiers
lined the entire route and back of them
stood policemen facing the crowd. in
order that they might be able to detect
~ n L
insult the Gar by uttering seditious cries.
The police arrangements were perfect. 1 n
fact the regulations adopted for the occa-
sion were so stringent they occasioned
some adverse comment, but the suthor-
tiles believe they are fully justified in
taking extraordinary precautions to guard
the imperial visitor.
At $3.50 O'CLOCK the sun was shining
brightly and the crowds were constantly
auementing. Some of the sightseers were
quite boisterous in their light heartedness,
but there were no signs of disorder Oc-
casionaly there would be a scuffle in the
CROWD as policeman or detective would
discover a pickpocket plying his trade,
and promptly arrest him or hold him.
Every window and balcony along the
route was occupied, the occupants of the
houses in many instances having been
paid very large sums for the privilege.
President Faure, the Ministers and
other dignitaries who had travelled from
oherbourg on special train ahead of the
Gar, arrived at Versailles at 20 o'clock.
The train bearing the imperial guests
rolled lnto the station twenty-three min
utes later. NJ. Faure was in the reception
room, and as the Czar and Czarina
alighted from their train, he stepped for
ward ana greeted them. After a short
conversation between the Ministers suites
and the suites of the Gar and Czarina,
the Emperor and Empress retired 10 the
special train, where at 9:06 they proceeded
to the Passy Banlieue station, where the
municipal authorities were waiting to
present their respects. There were thou
sands of people along the railway from
Versailles to Passy Banlieue, and as the
train passed they cheered enthusiastic
caly.
Arrived at Passy Banlieue, the Czar and
Czarina aiighted from their carriage, and
as they did so a great shout of welcome
sounded from the myriads OF people as
sembled about the station. The guard of
honor presented arms, and at given sig
nal battery began firing an imperial
salute OF 101 guns. Every available space
was packed almost to suffocation. 1t is
stated that fully 20, 900 persons slept in the
Bols de Boulogne last night in order that
they might get good places from which to
see the Gar before the immense crowds
arrived from elsewhere in the city. The
cheering lasted for some minutes and was
acknowledged by repeated bows by the
Gear.
The imperial visitors. accompanied by
PRESIDENT Faure and the Ministers, en-
tereo tent that had been erected at the
station, and here their Majesties received
the municipal authorities, number of
civil and military disnitaries. After the