Evening star., 1898-08-17
NEW CABLE OPENED
Greetings Exchanged 0verthe Franco
American Line.
PLEASANT WORDS FROM HAVRE
President Mckinley Reciprocates
Expressions.
SCENE AT THE WHITE HOUSE

The new French cable line between Cane
Cod and Brest. France, was opened today
The American end of the line was con-
nected by wire with the White House this
morning. while the French end was COR
nected with the palace of President Faure.
In Havre. In this way the presidents oe
the two greatest republics I'm the world
stood within a few seconds time of each
other They exchanged cordial greetings
and congratulated each other upon tho
fact that the two countries We're drawn
closer together
Scene et the White House.
M Cambon, the French ambassador. ard
his son and Secretary Thiebaui were pres
ent with the President in the war room of
the White House when Lieut.. Col Mont
gomery and Operator Smithers opened the
circuit and announced the lines were
working smoothly. The French operators
at the other end made a similar announce
ment to President Faure of the French re-
public. and then President Faure dis
patched the following message:
President Faure's Message
ITO His Excellency. Mr. Mckinley, Presi-
dent of the United States:
1T affords me special pleasure to inaugu-
rate the new submarine communication
which will unite more directly than here
tofcre our two countries. by addressing to
you an expression of the feeling Of sim
cere sympathy existing between the French
republic and the republic OF the United
States. 1 desire also to renew to you. Mr.
President the assurance of my high es-
TEEN and constant friendship.
FELIX FAURE."
Operator Smithers took the message in
French, on a typewriter, and then trans
lated 1t. Ambassador Cambon was much
interested in seeing the message taken SO
quickly and correctly on a typewriter
Not an error was made in it's receipt.
A few minutes later, or at I0:35 o'clock,
President Mckinley sent the following mes
sage:
President McKinley's Rcsponse.
ITO His Excellency. NJ. Faure, President Of
the French Republic:
Il am happy to believe that every addi-
ton to the means of communication be-
tween our two countries can serve only to
keep alive and to strengthen that feeling
of cordial good will which has so strikingly
characterized their relations both in early
and recent times
Permit me, Mr.. President most heartily
to reciprocate your expressions of esteem
and friendship.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY"
Ambassador Cambon's Message
Ambassador Cambon sent short mes
sage to President Faure, and the ceremony
was over. President Mckinley then show
ed Ambassador Cambon the war room"
which is full of war maps and telegraph
instruments. He is the first foreigner ever
in this room, which was secret as a
vault during the war. The ambassador
enjoyed the explanations made to him.
Assistant Secretary Moore of the State
Department and Representative Taylor OF
Ohio were witnesses of the opening Of the
cable.
Arranged Weeks Ago.
The ceremony today is a result of an ar
rangement made many weeks ago between
President Mckinley and Amba assador Cam
bon. 1t was the call for this purpose
which first started conjecture as to France
being the nation to initiate a peace move
ment between the United States and Spain.
At that time there was no basis for the
peace conjecture, as Nj. Cambon had re-
ceived no instructions to act He arranged
for the exchange Of courtesies between
Presidents Mckinley and Faure. Bat there
were many delays, owing to the failure to
was word received from NJ. Lurienne. the
New York manager of the French Gable
Company. that the line was completed and
ready to receive the first messages be-
tween the two presidents. The completion
of the line was accomplished in mid-ocean,
the two cable ships approaching each
other from the American and the French
side of the water, and linking together the
two ends. The line is a renewal o: The cd
French line running from Cape Cod, Mas
sachusetts, to Brest, France. 1t is the
longest cable line in the world the other
Atlantic cables being shortened by touch
ng at Nova Scotia.
Second Exchange of the Kind.
The exchange today is the second of the
kind which has occurred, President Bu-
chanan and Queen Victoria having ex-
changed congratulations August g. 1858
when the Atlantic cable was first laid. The
of Queen Victoria expressed the
fervent hope that the cable would prove
an additional link between the common ma
lions, whose friendship is founded upon
their common interests and reciprocal
esteem.
The reply of President Buchanan con-
tained the following:
May the Atlantic telegraph, under the
blessings of heaven. prove to be bond of
peace and friendship between the
kindred nations, and an Instrument des-
tired by divine providence TO diffuse re-
igion, civilization, Ibsrty and law through
out the world. In this view, will not all
nations OF Christendom spontaneously unite
n the declaration that it shall be forever
and that its communication shall
De held sacred in passing to their places of
destination even in the midst of host.li-