New-York tribune., 1903-07-07
WELCOME PAID At DOVER.
" Warships Salute u. LOubet-Met
by Duke of COnnaught.

Dover, July 6.-Immense crowds Of people,
waiting for the arrival of President Loubet here
to-day, lined the front, which presented a
brilliant appearance. the decorations being on
a scale far in excess of anything previously
attempted.
AS soon as the GuichGn was sighted the
Sheerness fotilla of torpedo boat destroyers
steamed out to meet her and escorted the
French cruiser through a double line of British
battleships and cruisers. extending two and one
half miles and forming the most imposing naval
display ever seen off Dover.
All the vessels were dressed from stem to
stern and their crews manned ship and mingled
their cheers with the roar of the guns firing
sautes and the strains of the "Marseillaise"
from the naval bands Each ship gave the
President a salute of twenty-one guns the
Guichen passed. and the band of each vessel in
turn took up the 'Marseillaise'
The Guichen anchored off Dover shortly after
l o'clock and exchanged salutes with Dover
Castle The admirals and captains of the Brit
ish fleet Immediately went board the French
cruiser and paid official visits to the President.
1t 1:40 p. m. when President Loubet
stepped ashore and entered a reserved inclosure,
brightly draped at the head of the stairs lead
ing from the landing stage, where handsome
pavilion had been erected There the Duke of
sador, NJ Cambon and number of officials
appointed TO be in attendance on NJ. LOubet
during his visit, extended to the President King
Edwards welcome
The Prince of Wales's pier. at which NJ. Lou
bet landed, lined with troops, and as the
President passed along their ranks toward the
pavilion a band played the 'Marseillaise' and
the thousands of spectators, assembled at all
points of vantage gave the visitor an unmis-
takably cordial welcome his first visit to
England
The meeting between NJ Loubet and the Duke
of Connaught was most cordial. They shook
hands and exchanged a few words, the duke
expressing the Kings pleasure at the Presi-
dents arrival. The introductions followed Sub
sequenty the Mayor of Dover presented III. Lou
bet with address of welcome.
The Presidents reply, which was his first
speech in England follows
Monsieur lie Maire: I thank you for your COM
plimen-ary welcome at the moment of setting
my foot on the territory of Great Britain. l
wish to tell you with how much satisfaction
have come over in the name of France in re-
sponse to the generous invitation of his majesty
King Edward VII to bring to tnls great
nation which is neighbOr. public testimony
of friendship. Great Britain and France have
not only motives of interest for drawing to-
gether and coming to an understanding. They
have both founded their prosperity on Hoeral
institutions, and they have dedicated a like at
accord useful and profitable to themselves. can
not be less so to the progress of civilization and
the welfare of humanity.
When these ceremonies were over, the Presi-
dent who wore evening dress with the grand
Gordon of the Legion of Honor, and his party
entered four state carriages with positions in
state lfveres, sent down to Dover by King Ed
ward and were driven to the railroad station
through decorated streets Many thousands of
people saw and welcomed the head of the
French Republic beside whom the Duke of
Connaught was seated. The entire route was
lined with troops bands were stationed at inter-
walls and the strains of the ''Marseillaise" fol-
lowed the President each band taking up the
tune as the procession approached.
At the station another guard of honor was
mounted With little delay the Presidential
party entered the royal train. specially built
this year for the King and Queen, and started
for London.
The whole railr line from Dover to London
was guarded by men standing within sight of
each other.