The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-22
AN ADDRESS BY Mr.. PIERCE
AND REPLY By GENERAL BRUGERE
IN BEHALF OF HIS COUNTRY.
Dinner Given in the Evening by Adj
miraI Hisginson I'm Honor of
the Visiting Party.


French republic. who are here to particle
pate in the ceremonies attendant upon the
unwilling OF the Rochambeau monument in
Washington next Friday, took place on
board the French battleship Gauols in
Annapolis roads at O'Clock to-day The
weather was ideal
The scene in Annapolis bay was pic
turesque and inspiring. Besides the usual
contingent OF sailing vessels and small
craft dotting the bay, there were a number
of formidable representatives of the Ameri-
can navy at anchor in the tranquil waters
of the Severn. These included. besides the
Dolphin, the auxiliary cruiser Gloucester.
the battleship Indiana. the training ship
Chesapeake the monitor Terror. the prac-
tice ship Standish. the torpedo boat Gwynn
and the submarine boat Holland
The commissioners representing the
United States-namely. Col. Theodore +.
Bingham. superintendent OF public grounds
In Washington, Assistant Secretary OF
State II IL. d. Pierce and Commander B.
r. Rodgers-reached Annapolis from
Washington on the 9:l5 train and at once
proceeded in carriages to the wharf, where
they embarked on the dispatch boat Dol
phin, commanded by Capt. Albert Gleaves.
The commissioners were accompanied by
the several members Of the French en-
DasSy at washington, including Mr.. Pierre
de Margerie, councillor, Capt. Paul Nignal.
military attache. Lieutenant Commander
Tarmond de Lafayjolie and NJ Louis Her
mant, secretary of the embassy.
At 1880 the Dolphin got under way
steaming slowly over the shallow channel
TO meet the incoming Gaulois: The Gau-
lois and the American escort, the Olympia,
Alabama and Kearsarge under the COM
mand of Admiral Hgginson. were an
chored OFF Greenberry Point lighthouse,
ive miles below Annapolis. The Gaulois
anchored just as the Dolphin appeared
upon the scene, fiuttering her jack at the
bow in token thereof at 1880 p. m. Some
two hundred yards on the bow OF the
French battleship Admiral Higginsoa
flagship. the Olympia. came 10 anchor.
while the Alabama and Kearsarge took po-
sition below the Olympia at points equi-
distant from each other.
The Indiana which lay between Annapo-
lis and Greenberry Point lighthouse, was
the first to give a sign OF welcome 10 the
French warship This was in accordance
with naval etiquette, and consisting OF
nothing more than hosting a signal. The
Alabama responded with a signal and then
came the boom of cannon from the Gau-
lois. the traditional twenty-one guns being
fired. This was followed by two patriotic
airs from the band on board the Gaulois,
one of these being the Marseillaise. Imme-
diateiy thereafter the United States Com
missioners proceeded in a launch TO the
Gauiois, and they approached the
French battleship a salute of fifteen guns
was fired.
THE RECEPTION.
On board the French steamer every prep
aration had evidently been made for a most
pleasing reception OF the American repre-
sentatives. The giant battleship, a perfect
model OF modern naval architecture. was
spick and span from bow 10 stern and
every sailor, marine and officer was in
proper place to give a hearty welcome to
the American visitors AS soon as the COM
missioners touched the deck OF the Gaulois
they were effusively greeted by General
Brugere, Admiral Fourier and their staR
officers.
Those present as commissioners from
France were as follows: General Brugere,
Admiral Fournier, General De Chalendar.
Lieut.. Col. Meaux Saint Marc. Lieut. Col.
Hermite. Commander Berthelot Captain De
Poullue St Mars. Captain Filloneau. Cap
tain Lasson' Lieutenant Commander Sou
vaire Jourdan, Lieutenant Commander De
Reinach de Werth, Lieutenant Commander
De Jay
After greetings had been exchanged the
had been tastefully decorated for the occa-
sion with flowers and fruits. and where the
brief ceremony OF welcome and response az
orce took place. Assistant Secretary OF
State II. II. d. Peirce spoke on behalf OF
the government OF the United States as
follows:
Is charged by President Roosevelt to well
come you and your colleagues 10 the United
States in his name and 10 express his hope
that you will enjoy your stay in our coun-
try and carry away with you an agreeable
impression OF the United States. its insu-
tutons and people On behalf OF our Pres
ldent | bid you welcome"
General Brugere was nearly as brief but
no less cordial in his response. He said:
''Gentlemen-I thank you I'm the name OF
President IOubet and the French people for
the kind welcome you have accorded TO Us.
IL is a very great pleasure 10 me and my
colleagues 10 visit you on such an occasion
OF international esteem the unwilling OF
the Rochambeau monument and / am sure
we will carry back 10 France the most
agreeable recollection of our stay in your
midst. Since our departure one incident
has occurred which will stir the heart OF
every Frenchman i'm grateful recognition Of
American friendship. and this is the imme-
date and munihcent aid which was eX-
tended 10 our stricken fellow-countrymen
on the Island OF Martinique. Gentlemen. I
thank you for your generous welcome
The American commissioners spent a
pleasant half hour on the Gaulois and then
returned to the Dolphin. in the meantime
having paid formal calls upon the Olympia
and Alabama. Later in the afternoon the
French commissioners made a return call
upon the American commissioners on board
the Dolphin. after which the Dolphin re-
turned 10 Annapolis.
Tomorrow the French commissioners will
leave for Washington 20 pay their respects
10 President Roosevelt.
DINNER IN THE EVENING.
In the evening General Brugere and Ad-
miral Fournier received al dinner Admiral
HigginsOn. Flag Lieutenant Evans and
other American officers Then followed a
bright and cordial luncheon, during which
the wit OF Admiral Higginson was the more
appreciated because he spoke good French.
General Brugere's toast on this occasion
was as follows:
Il raise my glass I'm honor OF the Pres
ldent or the United States. who has done
the French com mission the honor OF
sending 10 meet US the fine squadron COM
manded by Admiral Higginson. I beg you,
admiral, 10 send him with our respectful
greetings, the expression OF our warmest
thanks. AS we entered the American
waters we have learned at the same mo-
ment the terrible catastrophe OF Martinique
and the help OF all kinds the American Ma
ton has sent 10 succOr our unfortunate
compatriots. We are deeply touched by
IN the days Of trouble that one recognizes
ones true friends. I drink 20 the health %
Mr.. Roosevelt. President OF the United
States
General Bruzere. the head OF the special
mission Of ditinguished gentlemen which
France has sent 10 this country 20 attend
the unveiling OF the statue OF General
Rochambeau at Washington. long has been
known in his own country for his especial
that General Brugere showed this feeling
in a remarkable manner last fall at the
time OF the French army maneuvers near
Rethel The French government had been
entertaining In camp the military attaches
OF the foreign embassies in Paris. and ar
the close OF the maneuvers. Sept. Ia
General Brugere gave banquet in honor