The San Francisco call., 1897-08-27
RUSSIA AND
FRANCE FRIENDS
An Alliance Announced
by the Gar in a
Toast.
President Faure Had Well
coined the Royal Party in
a French WarShip.
And Now the Honors and Decora-
tions Are Lavished Upon Rus
sian Officials.

ST. PETERSBURG. RUSSIA, Aug. 90
At luncheon given to-day in honor OF
the Gar on board the French cruiser
Pothuau the Gear, in proposing toast TO
the French President, said: Your stay
among us creates a fresh bond between
our two friendly and allied nations which
are equally resolved to contribute with all
their power 10 the maintenance of peace
in the world, in the spirit of right and
equity"
The Cars mention of the ''allied ma
tions" is the first occasion upon which an
alliance between Russia and France has
been officially mentioned. The toast OF
the Czar was in reply to that of President
Faure, who, toasting the Gar and
Czarina, welcomed them on board the
French wership. NJ. Faure also referred
to the determination OF the French and
Russian sailors, adding:
They have brought outstretched hands
closer together. and have enabled two
united aud allied nations. who are in
spired by the same ideal of civilization,
law and justice, TO come together in a
loyal and most sincere embrace"
The Gar, Czarina and President Faure
Alexandria. They proceeded to Cron-
stadt, where the party boarded the impe'
rial yacht Standard, which hoisted the
imperial and presidential flags and FREQ
twenty-one guns.
The band played the "Marseillaise. u
The party then visited the French vessels.
Afterward President Faure proceeded 10
the Po,huau, where half an hour later
he was Joined by the Russian imperial
party accompanied by q mum ber Of grand
dukes and grand duchesses. A fine driz-
zling rain marred the proceedings.
Luncheon followed on the quarterback.
About seventy persons were present. The
Czarina occupied position of honor in
the center between the Czar and President
Faure.
When the CZar toasted President Faure
he rose in a solemn manner, paused a
moment, looking at the Czarina and NJ.
Faure, and then in firm voice read his
message of welcome.
The entire party afterward visited the
Russian cruiser Rowya. President Faure
was conducted over this vessel by mis- host,
returned TO the Pothuau and imm edi-
ately put out TO sea, amid cheers from the
shore.
President Faure has conferred grand
crosses of the Legion of Honor upon the
Grand Duke Cyril of Russia and the Min.
listers of Court, Marine. Justice and Ways
and Communication, and has created the
Mayors of st. Petersburg and Moscow
grand officers of the Legion of Honor. In
addition the President has distributed
broadcast the minor degrees of the order.
PARIS, FRANCE, Aug. 2z-All of the
daily papers have editorials commenting
on the importance OF the announced
Franco Russian alliance. The news ar
rived In Paris 100 late to cause much COM
ment in the evening papers. Special
editions were eagerly bought up. how
ever, and the greatest enthusiasm pre-
vailed on the Doulevards.
Ii is the general belief that the alliance
is the outcome of prolonged confere noes
between Count Muravieff, Russian Minis
ter for Foreign Affairs, and M. Hanotaux.
Great i'm pOrtance is attached to the state
ment that NJ. Hanotaux will return via
Warsaw to Vienna, in order to interview
Count GoIuchowski, Austrian Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
1t is also stated, but not yet confirmed,
that President Faure will stop at Copen-
hagen on mis- way home, charged By the
Car with mission for the King of Den-
mark or the Dowager Czarina.
Before quitting Russia NJ. Faure
wired to the Dowager Czarina at Copen-
hagen as follows:
'At the moment of leaving Russia | am
most desirous of telling your Majesty
what an ineffaceable souvenir | carry away
of my reception at the hands OF the EN-
| peror. France knows that the intimate
union which exists to-day between the
two nations is due to the initiative and the
grand idea of Alexander III. We unite
the memory of your august husband and
the person of Nicholas, your we'll be owed
son, in one sentiment of affection. l re-
new to your Majesty with emotion the
assurance of my profoundly respectful at
tachment. Faure."
The Soir says: The country will read
the news with deep emotion. France
must be proud TO think that the alliance.
solemnly sealed, was announced on a YES
sci flying the French flag and in the pres
ence of officers of the French army. The
TWO affianced nations will henceforth be
united in the doubly sacred bonds OF mar
riage and OF love-"