New-York tribune., 1902-05-24
FRENCH FETE PRESIDENT
u CANBON LAUDS AMERICA,
EXAMPLE TO WORLD.
LUNCHEON on THE CRUISER GAULOIs A
GALA OCCASION IN DIPROVISED
BANQUET HALL.

to-day board the French battleshin GauIois
in honor Of President Roosevelt was one of the
most memorable incidents OF the visit of the dis
tnguished French soldiers and sailors TO this
country who are here TO join in the celebration
Of the unyeiling OF the monument to the men,
o-v Of General Rochambeau, which will take
place in Washington tomorrow.
The members of the French and American
commissions arrived from Washington an hour
in advance of the Presidential train They were
met at the station, escorted to the Gloucester
and the Standish. and conveyed to the French
batteship lying in the Annapolis Roads Gov
ernor Smith Of Maryland joined the commission
ers and guests at the wharf.
President Roosevelt and his partv of Arner
tcan officials arrived at II 80 o'clock They
we're driven to the Naval Academy through
double line of marines and national euardsmen
and thence TO the wharf. reviewing the battalion
Of cadets en- route. Boarding the dispatch boat
Dolphin the party soon by the side of the
pride Of the French navy.
AS the Dolphin approached the anchorage
ground Of the Gaulois and the American escort
ing squad drOn, the Olympia the Alabama and
the Kearsarge, Presidential salute was fired
When the President boarded the Gaulois ac-
companied by his daughter and Secretaries Root
and Moody, he was met by Ambassador Cam
bon. General Brugere and Admiral Fourner
and escorted TO the cabin of the officers. Soon
followed the luncheon, which was given by the
French Ambassador a banquet hall had been
improvised on the ample afterdeck of the Gau-
lois by stretching overhead and at the sides a
copious supply of French and American bunt-
ing, the national colOrs OF the two republics
being thus blended. with a highly artistic and
impressive effect. The interior was Illuminated
by electric lights and plentiful supply of wax
candles cast mellew radiance the tables.
The decorations were American Beauty roses
and Jacquemnot roses. Three whirling electric
fans cooled the atmosphere and the band dis
cOursed martial music from the lower deck.
MID NATIONAL COLORs.
The tables were arranged in the shape of an
irregular parallelogram 10 suit the contour of
the tapering afterdeck of the Gauois. President
Roosevelt occupied the middle seat at the head
Of the table. Extending above his head were
two monster 12-inch guns protruding from the
rear turTet of the Gaulois, but those grim re-
minders of French prowess offset by the
foot OF the table. where confronted Mr.. Rcose-
Welt d splendid display of the American colors
with the eagle, With wings outstretChed, the
national coat of arms and the motto "E Pluri-
bus Unum' arranged in brilliant electric lights.
The chief guest of honor. next to President
Roosevelt, was Governor John Walter Smith of
Maryland, who assigned TO seat near the
Chief Executive. and who was the recipient of
marked attention from the distinguished el efts
who present, both American and French.
Admiral Dewey sat next 20 Governor Smith.
Opposite to the President was Mime. Camton
wife of the French Ambassador. On his right
was Mrs Root, wife of the Secretary of War;
and on his left Mrs. Lodge. wife of the Nassa-
chusetts Senator. Next 10 Mrs. Lodge was Cen
eral Brugere, commander Of the French army.
and to the left Of Mrs. Lodge was Admiral -Four
nter inspector general of the French navy.
After the delicacies of a choice French menu
had been discussed Ambassador Camhon arose,
and in the name Of President Loubet OF the
French republic bade hearty welcome to all who
were present. He was especially complimentary
in his illusions to President Roosevelt, in whose
hands he said. the precious liberties OF the
American people were safe. He alluded elo-
auently TO the historic occasion that had called
them together. and expressed his confident hope
and belief that the splendid friendship between
the French and American people, which had re-
mained unbrOken since the beginning, would
continue for generations. He concluded by
Offering a toast. ITO the President of the glo-
rious American republic, which has set the ex-
ample of popular liberty not only for France
but for the whole world.
In proposing the health of President Roose-
Welt Ambassador Cambon said that in extend
ing the invitation TO the Chief Magistrate of the
United States he wished 10 emphasize the fact
that he was acting as the direct and personal
representative of President LOubet of the
French republic.
WORDS OF APPRECIATION.
President Roosevelt replied in his happiest
vein, though speaking with unusual deiibera-
tion as though he measured every word he
uttered
After expressing the appreciation of the Amer
ican people for the friendly spirit which
prompted the sending of a battleship and SO
many iIlustrious soldiers and sailors TO the un-
yelling of the Rochambeau statue, the President
said: ..-- -..
Mr.. Ambassador, we appreciate what France
has done in sending to our shores on TINS occa-
sion such a magnificent warship, and we appre-
cate the choice Of those VINO were sent nele,
and, Mr. Cambon, thank you for your happy
good judgment in selecting such an illustrlous
commander Of the army and navy 10 senu lo uS
on the auspicioUs occasion of the unYeillng OF
the ROchamDeau statue. one hundreu anu
twenty years ago the Valor of the soldiers and
sailors Of France eXeIted, according 10 the Juns-
lnent Of historians. the determining influence ia
making this country free and independent TAP
pause) and because Of that France must al
ways occupy a cherished place IN our heaIIa'
tApplause) Mr.. Ambassador, i thank you per
sSnaly for the courtesy which mas been f eAIenu
e1 70 me II has been source OF Vaiueu lhIpi
nation to be permitted to see and inspect this
Splendid French vessel. and have been duiy
Impressed by It's superior mechanism ana by the
superior physique and discipline or your men
am sure / speak for the American navy Nhen i
say ii has been a source OF pleasure lhaL SUN
splendid specimen OF French naval arehltect-
ure as the GaulOis has visited our shores on such
friendly mission and in its name thank you
Let me- on behalf Of all the people or the 1iiteg
states, and with the certain conviction that
nave expressed their sentiments, drink 10 lhs
health of President Loubet and TO the continued
prosperity Of the mighty nation OF when ne Is
President
General Brugere followed with a felicitous
speech. concluding with a toast q the memories