The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-18
WAITING FOR The CAR
FRANCE ON THE QUI WYE At Dun
KIRK FOR HER ALLY.
LOubet Travels from Paris Through n
Lane of SOldiers-PreIiminary Fetes
Go on without a Single Hitch.

DUNKIRK France, Sept 17.-President
Loubet, accompanied by NJ. Waldeck-Rous-
seau, the premier, and NJ. Delcasse, the
minister for foreign affairs. arrived this
afternoon in Dunkirk on his way to re-
oeive Emperor Nicholas. He was well
coined by large crowds and cordially re-
ceived Speaking in the new town hall.
which he formally opened, NJ. LOubet said:
II am happy TO come here to welcome the
faithful ally of France. We are unanimous
in seeing in an ever-closer rapproachement
of the two countries guarantee of safety
and greatness.
The preliminary festivities in connection
with the Cars visit have passed off with
out any untoward incident. Every item in
the programme has been carried through
with perfect success. The weather, how
ever, has been atrocious From the time
Nj. Loubet left Paris until he reached Dun
kirk the rain fell pitilessly. Fortunately.
the downpour ceased soon after his arrival,
though the wind and cloudy sky promise
unpropitious weather for the fete to-mor-
row.
The most striking feature of to-days
journey consisted of a full dress seheasal
of the military precautions on a portion of
the railway which Emperor Nicholas will
traverse tomorrow afternoon between
Douai and Dunkirk. The track was guard
ed on each side by soldiers stationed with
fixed bayonets, at intervals of $50 yards in
sparsely populated districts. Every station
was garrisoned with troops. Every level
crossing even in the open country, was
cordoned by the military. 1t was an object
lesson for those who question the discipline
of the French army TO witness to-days
spectacle from the presidential train In
the midst OF fields, sometimes without
solitary habitation in sight, there stood,
motionless. a soldier in full war equipment.
drenched to the skin, closely watching the
approaches of the track until the train
whisked by. when he brougt his rife to
salute. Mounted gendarmes were also
requisitioned, and with drawn sabers they,
too, saluted-
the Importance which the French govern
ment attaches TO American opinion at the
present time that of the few foreigners
among the Journalists permitted TO accom-
pany the President and Car, one is an
American.
Nj. Loubet only stopped at Arras, where
a reception was organized by the local au-
thorities Dunkirk made an exceptional
effort i'm the way of decoration. The whole
route traVerSed by President LOubet was
profusely hung with French and Russian
fiags. Triumphal arches were erected and
myrisds of Chinese lanterns were festooned
across the streets. The rain played havoc
with the decorations and thousands Of
lanterns were demolished. Nevertheless,
the display tonight was very pretty. All
the public buildings and many private res
licences were Illuminated with electric
lamps
After opening the town hall NJ. Loubet
made a tour OF the docks, where he was
greeted with the greatest enthusiasm. a
BANQUET and the prefecture ball in the
town concluded the fetes of the day.
Thousa nds Of spectators proceeded dur
ing the evening 10 st. Malo les Bains to
witness the Illumination of the fleet from
the sea promenade. The French war ships
anchored i'm two lines. were brilliantly
lighted with electricity and twenty power
ful search lights played over the sands and