New-York tribune., 1902-05-22
WELCOMED AT ANNAPOLIS.
MEMBERS OF THE ROCHAMBEAU MIS-
SION ABOARD THE GAULOIS RE-
CEIVED BY PRESIDENTS
COMMISSIONERS
COMMISSIONERS.

|
! Annapolis Nd. May 21-The initial reception of
| the representatives OF the French Republic who
are here to participate in the ceremonies attend
! ant upon the unveilng of the Rochambeau mon
ument in Washington next Saturday. took place on
board the French battleship Gaulois in Annapolis
Roads at O'Clock to-day. The weather was ideal.
the shining brightly. while refreshing breeze
waited from Chesa peake Bay.
The scene on Annapolis Bay was picturesque
Besides the usual contingent of sailing vessels and
small craft dotting the bay, there were a number
of representatives of the American navy at an
chor in the waters of the Severn. These included
the Dolphin the auxiliary cruiser Gloucester, the
batteship Indiana. the training ship Chesapeake
the monitor Terror. the practice ship Standsh the
torpedo boat Gwin and the submarine boat Holland
The commissioners representing the United
States. Colonel Theodore A Bingham, Superin-
tendent Of Public Grounds in Washington Assist
ant Secretary of State H H. D. Peirce, and Com
mander r. P. Rodgers reached Annapolis from
Washington on the 9I5 train and at once pro-
ceeded in carriages TO the wharf where they en-
barked on the dispatch boat Dolphin, captain
Albert Gleaves
The commissioners accompanied by the
several members of the French Embassy at WASH
ingon. including NJ. Pierre de Margere, councillor;
Captain Paul VignaI. Military Attache Lieutenant
Commander Faramond de Lafajole and NJ. Louis
Hermite of the embassy.
AT n:SO the Dolphin got under way steaming
slowly over the shallow channel to meet the in
escort-the Olympia the Alabama and the Kear-
sarge under the command of Admiral Higgnson-
anchored off Greenberry Point Lighthouse, five
miles belOT Annapolis. The Gaulois anchored gust
the Dolphin appeared upon the scene futtering
her jack the bow in token thereof at 1850 p m
Some two hundred yards on the bow Of the French
batteship. Admiral Higginson's flagship, the Olym-
pia. came to anchor. while the Alabama and the
Kearsarge took positions below the Olympia at
points equidistant from each other.
The Indiana. which lay between Annapolis and
Greenberry Point Lighthouse. the first to
give sign of welcome to the French warship
This was in accordance with naval etiquette, and
consisted of nothing more than hoisting n signal
the Gauiois fred twenty-one guns. This was FOL
board the Gaulos. of these being the Mar
seillaise." Immediately thereafter the United
the Gaulois, and they approached the French
on board the French steamer every preparation
had evidently been made for most pleasant re-
sTcbtectnre Mas spc anS span 1 from bow to
stern and every sailor. marine and officer was in
proper place TO give hearty welcome TO the
touched the deck OF the GauIois they were
greeted by General BrugeTe Admiral Fournier
After greetings had been exchanged the visitors
fully decorated for the occasion with flowers and
fruits. and where the brief ceremony of welcome
Of fhe oT"Tn1ent Of the UrbitnS states as foIIoygs.
charged by President Roosevelt to welcome you and
your colleagues 10 the United States in his name,
and 10 express his hope that you will enjoy your
stay in our country and carry away with you
agreeable impression of the United States. its in
sttutions and people. on behalf of our President
bid you welcome
General BruEere brief but less
dial than Assistant secretary Pierce in his re
sponse- lie said:
"Ge4tlemen: thank you In the name Of PresI.
dent Loubet and the French people for the kind
welcome which you have accorded TO US. II is a
very great pleasure TO me and my colleagues to
visit you on such an occasion OF international es-
TEEN as the unveiltnG of the Rochambeau monu-
ment. and am sure VIII carry back France
the most agreeable recollection of stay your
midst
Since our departure one incident has occurred
which will stir the heart OF every Frenchman In
grateful recognition OF American friendship and
this IL the immediate and munihcent aid which was
extended to our stricken fellow countrymen on the
island OF Martinique Gentlemen I thank you for
your generous welcome
The American commissioners spent pleasant
half hour on the Gaulos, and then returned 10 the
Dolphin. in the mean time having paid formal calls
upon the Olympia and Alabama. Later IN the az
ternoOn the French commissioners made a return
call upon the American commissioners on board the
Dolphin. after which the Dolphin returned to An
napols.