The age-herald., 1901-04-11
RUSSIANS FAVOR
 4 B|G ALLIANCE franco-lta|ian Festivities Dem- onstrate Good Feeling PRESIDENTL LOUBET PLEASED When Russian Squadron saIuted Him He Was Highly Pleased-Ital-
 ians Were Also Sat
 isfied.
PRESIDENTLOUBET I PLEASED

Paris, April 1.-The important festiv- ities attending President Loubets visit to the Rivera were brought to a climax to- day in the double naval demonstration at Villefranche and Toulon. Both proved splendid spectacles. The profuse decora- tions at Toulon. the fiotillas of pleasure boats fitting about the harbor, the gay ly dressed warship lying in the roadstead and the animation of the immense crowds of strangers jostling one another in the streets and along the wharves, imparted color and picturesqueness to the scene which outvied the situation at Ville- franche.
 The French people, however, derived as much pleasure from the incidents at villefranche as from the meeting of Loubet and the Duke of Genoa at Tou- lon. The Russian squadron says Le Journal de Bats, ''saluted the President on his departure from Toulon. so that Russia will be associated as completely as could be desired with the fetes on the Riveria Those who have spoken about the friction of two friendly and allied countries, are now compelled to admit that they took the desire for the reality. Those who contended that Russia wished to manifest hostility toward the Franco Italian rapproachment now have proof to the contrary in the fact that the Rus sians came to salute the President at the very moment when the fetes at Toulon sealing this rapproachment were about to take place."
 M. Loubet fully appreciates the value of the French word faal1U' in tion with the relations of France to Rus sia, and he again took an opportunity to pronounce it on board the Alexander II. this morning. When accepting tea from Admiral Birileff, he said:
 Loubet Expresses Gratitude.
 "I am very much pleased that his maj esty, the Emperor, has sent a squadron to salute the President of the French Republic. l am very grateful for this mark of sympathy; and I raise my glass to the health of their majesties, the Elm peror and Empress. and to the friendly and allied Russian nation, and to the prosperity of the Russian army"
 Admiral Birileff suitably responded, toasting "The President of the French Republic. the Prosperity of La Belle France, My Second Fatherland, and the Glory of the French Navy and Army
 The ceremony of decorating Admiral Birileff with the Cross of the Legion of Honor was performed in the prenece of the whole crew. M. Loubet then em- braced the admiral and expressed regret that the previously fixed hour for his ar rival at Toulon prevented him making a detail inspection of the Russian flag ship.
 All the officers of the flagship were presented to M. LouRet. who shook hands with them all.
 The Alexander IT. was the first to fire a parting salute as the St. Louis steamed out of the bay, and the crews manned the Russian ships when the St. Passed, shouting seven time "Vive la Republi- que," or raising seven hurrahs. Simul- taneously the trumpets blared and there was a great beating of drums.
 After M. Loubet's departure Admiral Birileff entertained the local officials on board the Alexander II.
 The general programme at Toulon was carried out without hitch The Duke of Genoa the Italian officers and steamers met with a flattering welcome, the French seamen fraternizing with the Italians on shore. Every desire was shown on both sides to cultivate a mutual good feeling.
 Extracts from the Italian press 'evincing satisfaction over the events at Toulon and expressing hope that these will re- suit In drawing the two countries closer together are extensively reproduced in and endorsed by the French press today.