The San Francisco call., 1896-10-06
Through Stormy Weather the
Emperor and Empress Emerge
at Cherbourg.
GREAT FRIENDSHIP DISPLAYED
President Faure and the Leading Dip
lomats of the Nation Receive
the Royal Visitors

immense crowds that had assembled near
the Bassin du Commerce, the AVant forte
and the quays in that vicinity.
The weather was stormy throughout t2e
night and early this morning and ram was
falling heavily. This had bad effect on
the many beautiful decorations but dld
not dampen the enthusiasm of the multi
tude. which, armed with umbrellas, early
sought points OF vantage from which they
could not be driven by the weather.
Along the route from the Quay de / An
Glen Arsenal, which fronts the eastern side
of the Avant Porte, to the railway station
were mum berless Venetian marts which
presented handsome sight last night, but
which looked bedraggled after haV-
ing been exposed TO the storm. Many OF
them were blown down by heavy squal
during the night and large force OF
workmen were put at work early to replace
them as far as possible.
ALI night long thousands OF persons OF
all ages and conditions tocked into the
town from all parts OF the interior, and
the trains that arrived this morning
brought thousands more. The streets were
literally packed, but the crowds were
orderly and good natured. Every one ap-
peared to be anxious to show friendship
for the great ally of France, and as the
hour approached that had been fixed for
the Czar's arrival feverish excitement pre-
vailed among the thousands close to the
water front.
The eastern and western jetties and the
places at the entrance to the Avant Port
were black with humanity. None bat
favored individuals, however, were allowed
on these places, for from them the first
and best views OF the approaching naval
procession could be seen, and the yacht
Polar Star, bearing the Gear and Czarina
and their suites, passed Up to the Quai de
LAncien Arsenal through the two ietties.
Large mum bers of gendarmes were every
where, but they had no difficulty in keep
ing order, as the crowds were very tract
able.
A stiff gale was blowing outside the
harbor all morning anc a very high sea
was running, which made the crossing of
the channel a most unpleasant experience
for those not used to sea voyages.
1t is recalled that the Czar was very
good sailor, he having made voyage al
most around the world while he was Gar
ewitch, but much sym pathy was expressed
for the Czarina, who, in addition to being
in delicate health, is unused to sea voy-
ages. A storm signal was flying on the
bIeakwater and altogether the weather
conditions were most inauspicious.
At o'clock the French northern
squadron left the roadstead and headed
across the channel for the purpose of
meeting the Russian yachts and British
yarships accompanying them. The
squadron was re-enforced by warships from
Rochefort and Brest. They all proceeded
to about the middle of the channel, where
they drew up and awaited the coming of
the Gear.
At about noon signals on the breakwater
announced that the Polar Star had been
sighted and the enthusiasm of the crowd
broke forth in a mighty cheer. Prior to
this, however, the crowd knew the yacht
was approaching, for there had been
family heard the deep booming of the
guns from the French and British war
ships as they met off shore.
As the vessels approached the break
water the Polar Star was seen to be max
ing heavy weather of it, sometimes pitch
ing almost bows under. Despite this, as
the yacht passed into the harbor past the
breakwater the Gar was seen standing on
the bridge wrapped in a storm proof
cloak.
As the Polar Star passed in the forts on
the breakwater thundered forth an i'm
perial salute and the crowds ashore broke
forth in wild cheering. The warships
passed ahead Of the yacht in the harDor
and ranged themselves in two lines,
through which the Polar Star steamed
slowly to the Quai de FAncien Arsenal,
followed by the STANDARD. As the Polar
Star passed the bands on the French war
ships played the Russian national anthem.
The Russian standard was at the heads OF
their foremasts and as it was broken out
an imperial salute was fired.
On the quay awaiting the coming OF
their Majesties were President Faure, at
tired IN evening dress, with the ribbon OF
the Legion of Honor. There were also
present NJ. Challemel-Lacour, President of
the Senate; NJ. Brisson, President of the
Chamber OF Deputies; NJ. Meline, Presl-
deat of the Council of Ministers and Min
lister of Agriculture; NJ. Hanotaux, Min
lister of Foreign Affairs, and a large num-
DSI OF u1Ru udfdl duO IQlllldIy
M. Meline wore the green decoration of
the Merite Agricole. M. Hanotaux was
attired in diplomatic uniform with the red
of the Russian order of St.
Andrew.
Baron de Mohrenheim, Russian EN- bas-
sador to France. and Count Lannes de
French ambassador to Rus
sia, Admiral Besnard, Minister of Marine,
with his newly obtained star OF the Legion
of Honor, and the staff appointed to at
tend the Czar and Czarina while they
are in France. were also present.
Owing to the high wind and rough water
great difficulty was experienced in getting
the Polar Star alongside the quay. During
the maneuyering TO get her in positi on for
the landing of her august passengers the
vast multitude in the vicinity were very
quiet, but when the gangway was finally
IN position and the Czarina stepped onto
the quay, followed almost Immediately by
the Gar, shouts of "Long live the Gar"
Long live Russia rent the air, and were
repeated again and again, and the crowd
shouted itself hoarse in the enthusiasm of
Its welcome to the great friend OF France.