The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-08
SISTER REPUBLICS
BANQUET IN PARIS TO PREsI.
 DENT FRANCIS.
Good Will and Cordiality Between the United States and France the Keynotes of the
 Occasion,

Paris. March "A remarkable demon stration of Franco-American cordiality occurred at the banquet given at il o'clock this morning in the Hotel Con- tinental to President Francis, of the St. Louis Exposition.
 It was under the presidency of Minis ter of Commerce Trouillot, and was at- tended by 300 of the foremost officials in- cluding a personal representative of President Loubet; practically the entire ministry and representatives of the State Senate. Chamber of Deputies, Judiciary and Army and Navy.
 MT. Francis arrived here from Madrid last night and owing to his intention to leave for Berlin at o'clock the banouet was arranged for an unusually early hour
 The corridors leading to the banquet hall were lined on either side by long lines of Republican guards in brilliant uniforms with furnished helmets and flowing red plumes. On the upper landing was stationed the famous band of the 10ith regiment of infantry, which played the "Marseillaise" as the distinguished officials assembled When General Fran cis appeared he was enthusiastically greeted and the band played "The Star Spangled Banner
 The full capacity of the spacious ban quet hall was taxed by the guests, who were seated at twelve long tables, flank ing the table occupied by the guests of honor Seldom had such notable gath ering of officials and representative men been seen.
 The decorations of the hall were signifi- cant of Franco-American fraternity. the central piece being sunburst of tri-col- ors and stars and stripes. On the artis- t;c menu carl was a1 engraving typify ing American energy and the card was embcllished and entwined with the flags of France and the United States.
 After an elaborate meal. speeches of welcome were made by M. Ancelot, presi- dent of the French Foreign Exposition Committee and the Minister of Com merce.
 M. Ancelot closed his remarks with presenting to MT. Francis superb min iature painting representative of French art The Minister of Commerce, in be- half of President Loubet and the minis try, presented MT. Francis with mag nificent Sevres vase to Mrs. Francis he pTSSeIItu dll GAAdiSilt Adll O1 lNOAS AdSS and silk
 MT. Francis made a feeling response. saying he recognized this reception was chiefly tribute to cordiality of French sentiment toward the sister republic. He closed with a speech in French which evoked great applause. The banquet was ended with the playing of The Star Spangled Banner" and amid much en- thusiasm Mir Francis hurried away to catch the train for Berlin.
 During the banquet an autograph let ter from President Loubet was read ex- pressing the heartiest sentiments towards MT. Francis and the St. Louis EXposi- tion.
 In the course of M. Trouillots speech he said France and the United States were bound together by the bonds of his torical association. commercial life and similarity of political institutions. The were bonds of the heart as well as of interest. Moreover, he added, France rec ognized that the time had come when she would give fitting recognition and return for the magnificent part the Uni ted States had taken in the exposition of 1900. His toast "To the United States and France. the Two First Republics on Earth" was drunk standing and amid cheers and the waving of handkerchiefs.
 MT. Francis. in the course of his re- sponse said his reception would have the effect of further showing the American people the friendliness felt for them by the people of the sister republic.
 President Cachard of tn American Chamber of Commerce also spoke. He referred to the growing prospect of closer commercial relations between France and the United States and in behalf of the American Chamber presented MT. Francis with a large loving cup of silver lined with gold.