Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-07-05
FOURTH OF JULY ABROAD
American and French squsdrOus Join in
Celebrating Day at CbsrbOurg,
GREAT GUNS ROAR ACROSS THE WATER
Crowds Line wharves TO see How
Day IL Observed on Board the
ships OF Uncle
sam.

CHERBOURG, July 4-The French and
American squadrons Joined today in cele-
brating the American national holiday At
an early hour the ships Of both countries
broke out with flags from stern to stern.
The American flag was conspicuous every
where, yachts, buildings and wharves
showing the stars and stripes. The sky
was overcast, but the harbor presented a
brilliant picture. Crowds lined the wharves
awaiting the national salute by both
squadrons which was fired at noon accom-
panied by salutes from the land forts.
A regatta was held between the crews
Of the French and American warships The
prize for whale boats was contested for
by picked crew from the French battle
ship Bouvines and mixed crew from
the American ships The Frenchmen won.
A second race for gigs was won by the
crew of the flagship Brooklyn
large hotilla of pleasure craft followed
the races and the crowds lining the shore
on both sides Of the harbor vigorously ap-
plauded the Americans getting a good
share of the praise.
Reception to Naval Omcers.
An imposing scene took place when the
French military and naval officers re-
ceived their American naval comrades
ashore. Gigs from the flagship Brooklyn
and other ships brought the Americans
to the quay Breton, which was beautifully
decorated with American and French hags.
Several hundred French officers OF ali
branches Of the service surrounded by
vast crowd assembled to welcome the
Americans. procession headed by the
banu of the French Colonial infantry and
made up OF American and French officers
all in shore uniforms was then formed.
The procession halted at the place DE La
Ropublique where the band played tho
American and French national anthems, the
officers uncovering while the crowd rap
turously applauded The French officers
then served punch to their American COM
Danions.
This afternoons garden party at the pre-
lecture maritime's wac attended by prumi-
nent officials and their families. Admiral
Besson, commander-i chief of the French
northern squadron, and Miss Besson re-
ceived the guests including forty American
officers who were the objects of marked
attention.
This evening the French and American
squadrons were brilliantly Illuminated. A
| concert given by the bands Of the American
squadron evoked the heartiest applause.
The French naval petty officers enter
tanned their American comrades at punch"
in the Central market. which was beauti-
fully decorated with evergreens and shields
and the French and American flags inter
woven. Eleven hundred persons were pres
ent. Commandant Leon, representing the
maritime project. presided and expressed
his pleasure at seeing the flags of the two
republics floating together in the harbor.
| He referred to the celebration of indie.
| pendence day and proposed a toast to "Old
| France and young America" mentioning
| the names of President Roosevelt and
! President LOubet. The French petty officers
made speeches welcoming the Americans.
| Engineer Green Of the Tacoma replied In
| French and evoked great cheering A teIe-
gram was sent to President Roosevelt con-
| veying the respects Of the French officers
| This was read while the guests stood up
| The American sailors are loudly cheered
whenever they appear on the streets.