The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-07
Host of England's Distinguished
Personages Welcomes Head of
French Republic.
PRECAUTIONS ARE ELABORATE.
State Banquet at Buckingham Pal
ace Closes Day of Ceremonies,
With Interchange of Elk
pressions of Good Will.

London. July en-. Loubet, the first Pres
ident of the Republic who has ever repre-
sented the French nation as a guest of the
British court, arrived in London from Dover
soon after o'clock this afternoon and was
greeted at the Victoria Railroad Station by
King Edward and the Prince of Wales, ac-
companied by the Cabinet Ministers and
host of other distinguished persons.
Long before the arrival Of the presidential
party an enormous crowd had occupied ev-
cry point from which a sight of the visitor
could be obtained. The station itself was
handsomely adorned, special features being
the plentiful use of the French national
coiors and OF the monogram "R F." (Re-
pubiique FTancaise) ana an abundance of
MOWERS in lines of red, white and blue.
q, ne extraordinary precautions taken by
and his hosts even exceeded those adopted
When Emperor William was here.
KING E!ward wore Field Marshal's uni
FORM ana the grand Gordon of the Legion of
Honor. The Prince OF Wales had an Ad-
mrars Uniform. They awaited the Kings
guest on the platform.
LOUBET ARRIVES.
The King stepped forward as the Presi-
with him. King Eiwand then introduced
the. Prince of Wales. the Duke OF Cam
bridge, the Duke of Fife. Premier Balfour:
Foreign Minister Lansdowne, Field Marshal
Lord Roberts ana others. who were all in
full uniform or court dress
NJ. Loubet then presented the members
OF his suite to the King, who warmly shook
hands with them.
After Inspection of the guard of honor
Prince of Wales and the Duke of Con-
naught were also seated.
The vehicle. escorted by a detachment of
life guards. was then driven through the
crowded. troop-ined and well-decorated
streets to St; James palace. NJ. Loubet
was loudly cheerei everywhere.
SALUTES CHILDREN.
Opposite the entrance of the palace, on a
balcony of Marlborough House were the
children of the Prince and Princess of
Wales. who saluted the President and the
children. returned their salute and drew
NJ. Loubet's attention to them. The Presi-
dent Immediately half stood up smiled and
After a brief rest NJ Loubet visited
their Majesties at buckingham Palace. ac-
Their Majesties met President Loubet,
who was accompanied by his suite. in the
state drawing-room. King Edward pre-
wore dress of silver-gray. The Queens
welcome was markedly gracious and grace
fqL She conversed for a few minutes with
VI. Loubet. who presented his suite to her
salon.
fifteen minutes. NJ. Loubet then drove to
Marlborough House, where the Prince and
Princess Of Wales welcomed him and asked
came in dressed in white. The three eldest
children conversed with N. Loubet in
Later. the President proceeded to the
French Embassy and received an address
from the French community, in reply to
which he said he hoped his compatriots in
Lonoon would continue the work Of
strengthening the confidence and goodwill
Of Great Britain toward France.
STATE BANQUET.
President Loubet's first day in London
closed with a state banquet at $50 p. m.
at Buckingham Palace 1t was the most
brilliant function the dingy old pile had
witnessed for. long time. The company
included all the high officials OF the king
dom.
The scene about the palace was ami
mated. Fully an hour before the appointed
coaches. Four of the Kings carriages
were sent to the York House; where Presi-
to convey the presidential party. which ar,
rived at the palace shortly before $50.
The interior Of the palace was brilliantly
with collection of tropical plants and was
forming the British and French flags. were
great archway led to the banquet hall.
NJ. Loubet was seated next to the Queen
and the King and the Prince Of Wales sat
The guests included the Prince and
Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess
of Fife, Princess Victoria, the Duke and
Duchess of Connaught, the Duchess of Buc-
cleuth, the Duke and Duchess of Devon
shire. the Duke of Portland, the Earl of
Pembroke. Lord and Lady Lansdowne. Lord
and Lady Londonderry. Earl and Countess
Selborne, Field Marshal Lord Roberts, Lord
Rosebery, Colonial Secretary Chamberlain.
War Secretary Broderick and Sir Edmund
Monson. the present Minister to France.
The music was furnished by the band of
the Scots Guards and detachment of
Highland pipers.
KING EDWARDS TOAST.
Proposing the health Of President Lou
bet, King Edward expressed the pleasure |
that he and Queen Alexandra felt at the |
coming of the French President at Bucking- |
ham Palace. His Majesty said he hoped the |
President would take back with him to |
France pleasant recollections of his visit. |
The reception given by him to all classes |
proved that there really was a friendly |
sentiment among Britons toward France, |
which, being Great Britain's next neighbor, |
should naturally be her best neighbor. The |
King alluded to his recent visit to France |
and the pleasure he experienced at his |
friendly reception there. |
President Loubet responded:
Sire, am more than touched by the re- |
ception accorded me by your Majesty. In |!