The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-05-27
DISTINGUISHED FRENcHMEN Wis.
If WHITE HOUSE.
TRIP TO MOUNT VERNON
Tree From Yorktown Planted and a
Beautiful Wreath Was Placed
Upon the Tomb.

Washington, May 22.-The remain
ing members Of the notable party sent
to represent the French government
at the cermony Of unwilling the Roch-
ambeau statue arrived here at 10
O'clock this morning from Annapolis.
Only a small crowd was at the depot
to greet the distinguished visitors.
Troop G, Of the Second cavalry, from
Fort Myer, was drawn up in front
of the station and saluted on the ap-
pearance of the visitors. Assistant
Secretary Pierce, of the state depart
ment, entered the first of the open
carriages in waiting with the rank
ing members of the party and sew.
eral members of the French embas-
sy also acted as escorts. The carri-
ages proceeded to the white house,
where Count Rochambeau and his par
ty, Ambassador and Nine. Cambon,
and Others waited to greet them, and
where at 1890 o'clock, President
Roosevelt officially received the par
ty in the east room. The carriages
were preceded by an escort Of mount
ed and bicycle policemen and the
cavalry troop. AS the party neared
the white house a salute was fired
by a detachment of artillery in the
grounds sotuh of the white house.
Ambassador Arrives.
Shortly before 10 o'clock the French
ambassador, M. Cambon, accompanied
by Nine. Cambon and by M. Margarie
and his wife, drove up to- the white
house portico. The ambassador was
in the uniform of his high diplomatic
rank. Following the ambassador
came the many members of his staff,
accompanied by the ladies of the en-
bassy. The ambassador and his par
ty were escorted to the red room to
await the arrival of the other French
guests. Soon thereafter a second par
ty of the French visitors, including
the Count and Countess de Rocham-
beau and the Count de Lafayette,
joined the ambassador in the red
room. Meantime the highest officials
of the United States government
were assembling to do, honor to- the
visitors.
Hearty Cheer Went Up.
BY the time the high officials of the
French army were entering the white
house grounds a great crowd had as
sembled outside, and a hearty cheer
went up as the Frenchmen drove
through the gates. After brief ex-
changes, the entire party proceeded
to- the east room, where the reception
by President Roosevelt was held. The
president was accompanied by Miss
Alice Roosevelt and Miss Carew,a sis
ter of Mrs. Roosevelt. Grouped about
the president were members Of his
cabinet and other distinguished Of
ficials, many accompanied by ladies'.
Formal Greetings.
AS the. French ambassador present
ed each of the official guests the pres
ident gave him al warm grasp of the
hand and spoke a few words Of felic-
itous welcome. On both sides there
were many expressions of information
al good will and lasting friendship be-
tween the two republics. The affair
was devoid Of formality, however, and
no formal addresses were delivered.
The reception lasted about half an
hour, when the French officials with
drew to make a round pf calls or mem
bers of the cabinet, the general Of the
army and the admiral of. the navy,
and on the ambassadors Of foreign
countries. his afternoon the United
States naval yacht Sylph took the
party to Mount Vernon, where two in
teresting ceremonies occurred-the
planting Of a tree brought from the
battlefield Of Yorktown, where Roch-
ambeau and Lafayette shared the
fortunes of war with Washington,
and the laying of a beautiful wreath
on the tomb of Washington.
Tt will he tO vOur IN ga tn as