ENGLISH PARLIAMENTARIANS IN FRANCE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11752, 28 November 1903, Page 8

ENGLISH PARLIAMENTARIANS IN FRANCE.

SrEEGH BY M. LOUBET.

United Press Association—P? Electric Telegraph—Copyright(Received November 27th. 10.26 p.m.) PARIS, November 27. Tlie (British Parliamentarians who are visiting France were accorded a splendid reception at the Elysee. Lord Brassey was the chief spokesman. He spoke in French. President Loubet responded sympathetically to the .sentiments of a closer entente in the interests of peace, civilisation, and humanity. Afterwards he gave the toast of King Edward, Queen Alexandra, and the whole British nation, remarking:—"l cannot refrain from recalling the work of peace to which you are no sincerely attached. Perhaps I have Borne right to associate myself with it within the limits allowed mc by the Constitution, since I had the honour of receiving the inspirens of this great idea, and since tho Czar waa kind enough to confide in mc on tlie subject from its inception. (Cheers.) Tlie work inaugurated by the Hague Arbitration Tribunal is still in its infancy. The two great nations of Western Europe should rejoice at having been the first in signing a treaty of arbitration and giving an example which I hope will be followed by many others. Tlie movement will not stop. I am sure I am responding to your sentiments as well aa those, of my countrymen in hoping that the work wherein we are together engaged will receive its crown." (Cheers.)

Sir William Holdsworth, M.P., and Lord Avebury responded. They expressed the hope that Britain and France, whose interests were> identical, would obviate every possibility of mutual war, and thus confer a boon to Europe, besides strengthening their own mo.-al influences.