The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-27
FORCED TO USE FRENCH
AMBASSADOR PORTER NOT PERMIT
TED TO SPEAK ENGLISH
When He Presented His Credentials
EIySee Palace Yesterday.

PARIS, May 26.-Gen. Horace Porter the
new United States ambassador, this after
noon presented his credentials to President
Faure. Shortly before o'clock squadron
of cuirassiers, with three carriages, one OF
them containing NJ. Crozier, the director
of the protocol and NJ. Mollard, the intro
Queer of ambassadors drove up to the house
on the Rue de Madrid where General Porter
is residing as the guest of General Winslow,
to escort the ambassador to the Elysee
Palace. On arriving the municipal band
played the "Marseillaise," and the guard
on duty presented arms. General Porter
alighted at the entrance ana was conducted
by NJ. Crozer to the grand salon, where
he was Immediately introduced to Presi-
dent Faure and presented his credentials.
The document began: William Mckinley,
President of the United States OF America,
to his Excellency, Felix Faure, President
of the French Republic: Great and Good
Friend 1t was worded in usual form
and closed: May God have your Ecellency
in His wise keeping Your good friend,
William Mckinley" General Porter, in pre-
senting his credentials, said, in French:
Monsieur LIE President have the honor
to present you with letter crediting me
ambassador extraordinary and plenipoten-
tiary of the United States of America. 1t Is
source of extreme grauhcatlon TO me TO
be permitted to represent the chief Republic
of the new world at the seat of government
of the chief republic of the OLD world. L
have been charged with the very agreeable
duty of conveying to you the cordial good
wishes of the eminent citizen recently inau-
gurated chief magistrate of the United
States of America and to assure you of the
profound regard he entertains for you per-
sonally and of the high esteem in which he
holds the people of France. The similarity
of the forms of government of our respec-
tive countries the belief entertained by both
in liberal political institutions and the deep
interest felt by each in the freedom rights
and welfare of it's citizens have created be-
tween our people enduring bonds OF SYM
pathy. The alliance entered INTO by both
countries when the American Republic was
in it's infancy, the bloodshed in common in
the cause of human liberty and the tradi-
tional friendship continued through so long
a period have established relations OF amt
which time should never be permitted to
efface. l take pleasure in assuring you
that l should not represent faithfully the
sentiments Of my government or OF the
American people If | failed to employ every
endeavor on my part to foster and
strengthen the intercourse which now hap
PLY exists between our two sister republics.
Trusting that our governments will con-
tinue to act in entire harmony and begging
you to accept personally the assurance or
my deepest respect
President Faure replied in somewhat sim
liar terms. expressed satisfaction of the
sentiments and assurances General Porter
had uttered and assured aim he would find
them in France well disposed to second him
in his efforts and that every facility would
De given MIN TO accomplish HIS uliSSlOu
General Porter then presented Mr.. Henry
Vignaud, secretary of the United States
embassy; Mr.. Z. E. Scott, the second secre-
tary; Col S. G. Kellogg the United States
military attache, and Lieutenant Sims, the
United States naval attache. The ceremony
lasted a quarter Of an hour. When General
Porter withdrew the band played the
washington Post March" The embassa-
dor returned to the Rue de Madrid with the
same ceremonial. escorted by the squadron
of cuirassiers. General Porter later called
on NJ. Hanotaux, the minister for foreign
affairs
An unprecedented incident occurred on
the occasion of the presentation of GeneraI
Porters credentials. The ambassador want
ed to deliver mis- speech at the Elysee Pal
ace in English. as the retiring United States
ambassador, Mr.. James 3. EusJls. had done,
but the director of the protocol insisted
that he must speak in French and General
Porter was obliged to submit Although
on some previous occasions United States
ministers have spoken in French, this is
the first time the point has been raised
and formally maintained by the presidency.