The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-10-08
THE RUSSIAN TRAVELLERS.
THE GEAR AND CZARINA AR
RIVED IN FRANCE YESTER-
DAY EVENING.
A STORM DESPO|LED DECORATIONS.
President Faure Kissed the Czarina's
Hand Upon Meeting-The Space
Ashore Was Black With People.
A Review of the Fleet.

preparations had been made to receive
the Russian travellers. The way from
the landing stage to the hall of the ar
senal had been covered with silk hang
ings, shields, bannerettes and flowers,
the landing stage itself being beautiful
ly draped, Venetian masts were erect
ed at many points and floral bunting
and other decorations were displayed
everywhere, but when the work was
complete the weather became threaten
ing and later terrific sQuall swept over
the port and city, telling the masts to
the ground, scattering the decorations
in all directions and inhicting great dam
age. Hundreds of men were set to work
repairing the damage and every posi-
BILE effort was directed towards having
the arsenal, the landing stage and the
approaches made bright with fresh deco
rations.
The French northern squadron, con-
sisting of twenty-one vessels, left the
harbOr at 3 o'clock With Il Eale cf wind
blowing. Before the ships were outside
the harbor they were almost completely
hidden from view by a heavy rain storm
which did further damage to the deco
rations ashore. The gale increased in
force and a heavy sea began to run.
At 9:45 p. m. the imperial yacht was
escorted to the roads. The wind was
against the escorting party and as the
ships appeared it was seen that the
Polar Star was rolling heavily. The
spectacle was a grand one, the bands
on board the French ships playing the
Russian anthem and the sailors dressed
sides and cheered heartily.
The car stood on the bridge of the
Polar Star responding to the cheers
with a military salute.
The Polar Star, followed by the Stand
ard, then led the way into the harbor,
upon which the land batteries roared
forth an imperial salute.
President Faure, in evening dress,
wore the order of st. Andrew and, sur
rounded by the president of the senate,
NJ. Loubet, NJ. Brisson. president of the
chamber of deputies, and others, await
ed their majesties' arrival at the land
ing stage, where company of marines,
flag flying and band playing, was drawn
up. When the car and czarina stepped
ashore every position Of vantage was
black with people and the utmost en-
thusiasm prevailed.
President Faure bowed deeply and
kissed the czarina's hand, the car re-
plying to the presidents salutation with
a military salute. His majesty then
took NJ. Faure's hand while the latter
welcomed him. The car made a brief
response and NJ. Faure gave his arm to
the czarina, while the car walked on
the presidents right. The imperial
party assembled the steps leading to the
hall of Louis XVI, the premier, pres
;Jnp+, Of tho oh a m bprS and nt hprS fol-
lowing. The invited guests were al
ready seated in the reception hall, and
they arose as the car and czarina and
the president entered. The latter es-
cOrted their ma jesties to the raised plat
form, where President Faure took up
position in the center with the i'm
perial guests on either side of him. The
presentations were then made and the
party proceeded to the diplomatic hall.
After short stay in the grand hall
the party boarded the Elan, Napoleon's
state barge, in order to review the fleet.
The magnifcently painted, gilded and
| upholstered barge was flying the French
| tri-color and the Russian imperial stand
| ard side by side. She then steamed be-
tween the ships of the French fleet,
which had drawn up in four lines. The
barge was stopped abreast of the battle
| ship Hoche and the imperial party pro-
ceeded on board her in a pinnacle. Their
| majesties inspected the vessel and then
| returned to the Polar Star in order to
dress for the official dinner this even
| ing.
At $50 this evening President Faure
and other French officials went to the
quay to fetch the car to the banquet
| The president alone went ON board the
Polar Star. The car Immediately made
his appearance and all proceeded to the
banquet hall There were seventy-three
guests seated at three tables in the ar
senal. The central table had magniti-
cent display of golden ornaments and
| flowers. The car and President Faure
occupied the central places at this table.
M. Loubet, representing the senate,
and NJ. Brisson, president of the cham
Der of deputies, being seated on either
side of them. The czarina was not pres
ent at the banquet, having begged that
she be excused on account of the fatigue
she had undergone during the day.
President Faure arose, the others pres
ent joining him in standing, while he
| proposed toast to the car. The presi-
| dent said:
ut is with great joy that. accompa-
MED by the presidents of the chambers, |
today receive your majesties. The presi-
| dent of the republic is certain he repre-
SCENTS the sentiment OF tne ndtlOn Ill Ten
| dering to your majesty good wishes for
the well being of Russia. Tomorrow in
Paris your majesty will feel the heart of
the French people beating and the well
come given to the emperor and empress
| of Russia will prove to them the sinceri-
| ty of our friendship.
Your majesty has chosen to arrive in
France escorted by one of our squad
rons. The French navy is grateful for
this. 1t remembers with pride the nu-
merous marks of sympathy which your
august father displayed towards it and
| the task was entrusted to it of taking
part in the demonstration at CronStadt
and at Toulon.
in wishing your majesty a welcome
to the soil of the republic, l raise my
glass in honor of the emperor and EN-
press of Russia"
As the company drank the presidents
toast, the naval band played the Russian
anthem.
The ear. In responding to the toast,
said:
Il am touched with the simple and
! cordial welcome given us ut Cherbourg.
| have much admired the squadron
which escorted us. and also the admirars
vessel. the Hocha. In touching the soil
of nation which is Russia'S friends, |
share the feelings which you have just
expressed. Monsieur lie presidente, |
az, ;,> INV ,r1ocS IN, hnpor nf Tho Ernpnh