AN ENDURING ALLIANCE

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 116, 13 November 1919, Page 6

AN ENDURING ALLIANCE

STATE BANQUET TO M. POINCARE

SPEECH BY HIS MAJESTY ,TH£ KING.

(UNHID fsiSS ASSOCfATION.-tftttflKJßt.)

(ABStRAUAN - HBW ZBALAKB CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, Uth November.

The King and Queen gave a State banquet to M. Poincare, President of FVance. It was a scene of great magnificence. Royalties, ambassadors, members of the Cabinet, and many church, naval, military, and Parliamentary dignitaries attended. , (Received November 13, 9 a.m.) LONDON, s llth November. At the.banquet, His Majesty the King, speaking in French, recalled King Edward's efforts on behalf of the Entente, which was now happily an enduring alliance. "My country," said His Majesty, "has given fresh proof of its devotion to the alliance by signing a treaty of defence, binding'tier to come to France's aid if she in menaced by her old f enemy, I pray heaven may avert such a. calamity, and that th& League of Nations will'ensure the peace of the world, The aspirations of France and Britain are identical, and their interests should never conflict. We shall always act together in defence of the highest ideals of liberty and justice." M. Porhcare replied in French. He said that when danger threatened the freedom of tbe world the British Empire rase as one v man from one end of the world to the other. While the British Army gave so many proofs Of valour and stubborness tho Fleet preserved the mastery-of the seas, and its marvellous efforts only ceased when the Vanquished enemy demanded mercy. Like His Majesty, he hoped Britain would never have occasion to realise her solemn promise of rdilit&ry -assistance if the northeastern, frontier of France was attacked M. Poihcare concluded by expressing France's best wishes to the entire British Empire.