The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-09
GIFT FROM FRANCE.
Ambassador Cambon Pres
ents President With Two
Sevres Vases.

Washington, April S.-A notable cere-
mony occurred at the blue room of
the executive mansion at II o'clock to-
day, when the French ambassador, M.
Cambon, presented to the government
and the American people, through
President Mckinley, two magnificent
Sevres vases from the French national
pottery at Sevres. The gift was from
the late president of the French repub-
lie, Felix Faure, and commemorated
the opening of the new Franco-Ameri-
can cable on Aug. II last, when Presl-
dent Mckinley and President Faure
exchanged the first message over the
new line.
The vases and pedestals stand six or
eight feet high and are the finest SeVreS
ware as well as in happy accord with
the prevailing colors of the blue room
The presentation was made the occa-
sion for happy international greetings,
M Cambon making an address ana the
president responding.
M. Cambon was accompanied by the
entire staff of the embassy. The presl-
dent was accompanied by Secretary
Hay and some of the officers or the
household. The vases had already been
windows looking toward the Potomac,
In his presentation, M. Cambon spoke
as follows:
Mr. President: Some months ago,
M. Felix Faure, the lamented president
of the French republic, Joined with
you in opening for public use the new
Franco-American cable. 1t seemed TO
him that it would be fitting that some
memento of that pacific solemnity
ct Gp1aptG6 IN this END
two large vases made in the National
porcelain works of Sevres, and he eX-
pressed to me the desire that these
vases offered by him to the American
people, whom you represent, should pc
placed in the White House.
Divine Providence did not permit
him to realize his last wish, but his
successor, M. Emile Loubet, who has
charged me to make known to you his
sentiments of high esteem and cordial
amity, has resolved that 1t should not
be left unfulflled. In his name, there
fore, l have the honor to present to you
these vases. They will ever remain as
a pledge Of the sympathy which draws
closely to one another the two greatest
republics of the world; they will also
be an evidence that this cable which
unites France to the United States
across the ocean, is but type of the
years have united our glorious ma
tons"
In reply, President Mckinley said:
"Ir. Ambassador: But g few weeks
ago the generous American people
joined the French nation in testifying
their sorrow at the death of the lament
ed president of the republic, the Sen
ate of the United States expressing by
a resolution the regard of their coun-
trymen toward the memory of one who
in the brief time of his chief magis-
tracy had continued the work of his
predecessors and had contributed still
to further strengthen the historic good
will that links the two peoples. In the
name of my countrymen, I accept the
gift you offer. These beautiful vases,
typical Of one of the most celebrated
arts of France, will remain in the ma
TONS care as an evidence of the friend
ly sentiments Of the French government
and people toward the United States
and as a token of the suspicious event
they were designed to commemorate"