Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-21
GEAR WELL GUARDED
Russian Rulers Visit to France
Surrounded by Every Pos
sible Safeguard.
Gar Goes About Apparently I'm.
attended. But the Police
Are Always Near.
The Car and Czarina Visit
Places of Public Interest
at Compiegne.

at Compiesne.
Compiegne, Sept. 21-Emperor Nicho.
olas remained in his apartments after
breakfast until 10 o'clock yesterday.
when he took short promenade in the
gardens, accompanied by the czarina.
The empress carried her camera. with
which she took number OF views.
After returning to the chateau the em-
Eeror had long interview with NJ.
| Waldeck- Rousseau, the French premier.
1t lasted at least two hours. Count
Lamsdorff, the Russian foreign minis
ter, also conferred with NJ. Delcasse, the
French minister Of foreign affairs. What
took place has not been divulged, but 1t
is whispered that the principal subject
OF the two interviews was the CONNER
cial relations between France and
! Russia.
An automobile ride thru the magnifi-
cent forest of Compiegne to the ancient
chateau of Pierre Fonds had been ar
ranged, but the morning was cloudy,
after nights rainfall, and the car re-
manned in the salon, without sfgnifying
| what he intended to do, until lunch
time. Even President Loubet was kept
in suspense and was ignorant OF the
cars intentions. The latter part of the
morning was devoted to an exchange Of
visits with various personages. The
| weather frightened in the afternoon and
crowds of people invaded Compiegne
from Paris and the neighborfng towns
in the hope of obtaining glimpse Of the
car, but they were disappointed. The
streets are still decorated and will be
Illuminated this evening.
After luncheon the czar and czarina
drove in landau, thru the forests. to
Pierre Ponds to visit the historic cha
teau. The czar wore ordinary civilian
clothing, he and the czarina going out
quite unattended and apparently un-
guarded But, as a matter of fact, the
whole forest was swarming with police.
detectives and soldiers, who permitted
nobody to approach the road along
which the imperial couple drove.
Gen. Boisdeffre, former chief OF the
French staff, was received in civilian
clothing by the car yesterday.
Owing to the generals connection
with the Dreyfus case, the nationalist
papers have been trying to make capi-
tai out Of this visit, saying 1t is con-
nected with dissatisfaction in thu. army
at Gen. Andres conduct as minister of
war. This Is absolutely untrue. The
visit of the general had no political Sig
nificance, but was purely OF q private
nature and due to the fact that the car
was acquainted with Gen Bolsdeffre,
whom he received at ST. Petersburg and
met again during his last visit to
France.
The emperor took a short drive to the
village of Beauxmonts, returning to the
Chateau Compiegne at 5 o'clock.
The streets of Compiegne presented q
most animated aspect all day long. In
the afternoon an immense concourse
gathered in the hope of witnessing the
car and czarina drive thru part of
the town or the outer park. But the on
~ satisfaction enjoyed was a pleasant
surprise visit to the town hall from NJ.
Loubet. NJ. Loubet gave no inkling of
his intention.
The mayor, who was at the town hall
with view to the possibility Of such a
visit, even had to send out and gather
in the members of the town council,
who were quietly slipping after-lunch
coffee In the neighboring cafes. The
manner in which the visit was con-
Quoted was one Of those charming
touches that endear NJ. Loubet to the
French people.
All ceremony was absolutely excluded
and the whole proceedings were carried
out in the most informal fashion. NJ.
Loubet chatted cordially with the mayor
and councillors, making Joking remarks
and asking questions regarding the an
Equities and paintings in the municipal
collection. Finally he said a kind word
to the daughter OF the janitor as he left
the building.
The baptism OF the son of the count of
Monticello took place in the apartments
OF the car after his return from the
drive His majesty acted rs god-father.
Only the car and czarina and members
OF the family of the count were present.
The child was chrlstened Nicholas after
the car who said the credo in Russian.
The browning feature of the days
events was the gala performance in the
Chateau Theater which followed a grand
banquet in the famous Hall of Columns,
at which the members Of the French
cabinet, the officers Of the senate and
chamber OF deputies and leading mem
beers of the suite of the car and NJ. Lou
bet We're present.
The upper gallery of the theater was
occupied solely by secret police, who
were masked behind rampant of palms
and flowers. The car and czarina took
their leave of President and Nine. Lou
bet and retired to their apartments inn
mediately after the conclusion of the
performance, as all must rise early to-
day in order to leave by the o'clock
train for the review at Betheny The
review will be followed by luncheon
at which the political toasts for which
all France is eagerly waiting will be
pronounced. The Russian soyereigns
will then take the train for their return
| trip to Russia.