The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-12
KING EDWARDS GREAT TOUR.
ROME AND PARIS NOW WAITING
TO WELCOME HIM.
French People show Enthusiasm I'm the
Preparations for the British Rulers
yisit-Plans for Visiting the Nati-
can bandonet-POrtusais Greeting.

Preparations for the British Rulers
Visit-Pians for VISITING the vati-
can bandoneti-Portusai's Grectins.
Special Gable Despatch 10 TINS Sun.
LONDON. April liking Edwards tour
Of Portugal, Italy and France promises
to be the greatest success. The visit to
the capital of Eneland's oldest ally, Por-
tugal, was personal triumph for King
Edward such AZ delights the genial sover-
eign Bands played and choirs sang God
Save the King in and out OF tune, day
and night. He literally walked upon flower
sprinkled paths. and became q personal
favorite OF the Lisbon people.
The political aspect Of this visit was
dealt with in a previous despatch to THE
Sun. It is now SUFFICIENT to say that the
suspicious Of the proud Portuguese, which
undoubtedly existed not long ago. that
England was DESTROYS OF acquiring their
African possessions. have been allayed.
and the dealings between the two Govern
ments in regard TO these possessions will
he greatly facilitated, assuming always
that no question OF their alienation will
be aroused.
The visit OF the King TO Rome after his
calls at Gibraltar and Malta will be another
friendly visit to the ruler Of q country who
has long been regarded as one OF England's
oldest friends. and will be Of the same
social, vet State nature, as the visit to
Portugal.
The only question that has arisen In con-
nection with King Edwards visit TO King
Victor Emmanuel is that Of his calling on
the Pope. England and the Vatican have
always maintained the friendliest rela-
tons, but it is impossible for q guest OF the
Quirinal to proceed thence TO visit the
Vatican. There was some talk Of King
Edwards spending a night at the British
Embassy or the British Catholic College
and going thence TO the Vatican. but ac-
cording TO the present arrangements, King
Edward will not call at the latter place.
thus avoiding any possibility OF marring
the pleasant nature Of his visit to Rome.
Great preparations are on foot and Rome
will be decorated for the occasion. The
English colony and Italian Court society
are greatly excited.
But nowhere Ia there such interest or
excitement as in Paris, now that it is finally
settled that King Edward will call on Presi-
dent Loubet on May 1. The French papers
vie with one another in oomplimenting
the British monarch. The Petit PdIsien
says the visit will be an event Of consider
able importance. 1t will not, doubtless,
signify the return OF the famous entente
of the reign OF Louis Philippe and still later
the alliance Of the time Of the Crimea, but
II will show that the intercourse between
the two countries has become friendly.
The place held by the British sovereign in
the public opinion OF the English people
is too considerable for q friendly move on
his part not to have a great influence on
the ideas Of the nation. and II will be appre-
ciated In Paris as 1t deserves to be.
Paris is on the tiptoe Of expectancy, and
the official preparations have already
begun. President Loubet. with his entire
cabinet and the military star Of the E!ysse
Palace, will meet the King at the station.
There will be battalion Of infantry and q
. band on the platform. King Edwards
landau viii be dra, by six horses and will
be like that In which the Gar entered Paris
He will be escorted by Q full regiment Of
curassiers. The popular welcome prom
| ises TO exceed even the Official one.