THE FRENCH FLEET IN ENGLAND.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1745, 16 August 1905, Page 31

THE FRENCH FLEET IN ENGLAND.

LUNCH AT WESTMINSTER. A HARBINGER OF WORLD-WIDE PEACE. LONDON, August 12. Members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons entertained Admiral Callaird and a hundred and thirty-two officers of the French fleet at luncheon at Westminster Hall. In proposing the toast of ‘‘The French Navy/’ Mr Balfour said the gathering was a harbinger of world-wide peace, which the warm and perpetual friendship of England and France would guarantee. Both countries in future would be able to feel that their interests were identical. August 11. Lord Lansdowne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, entertained Admiral Caillard and his officers at a banquet on Thursday night. The Lord Mayor gave a luncheon to 120 petty officers at the Guildhall. They had a tremendous reception while driving through the London streets. Admiral Caillard and eighty officers had luncheon at Windsor Castle. Admiral Caillard laid a wreath on Queen Victoria’s tomb. A popular entertainment was given to the French sailors in the Alhambra Hall. The Lord Mayor was present. SPEECH BY MR MORLEY. UNANIMITY OF THE TWO GREAT PARTIES. LONDON, August 14. In responding to the toast of “Parliament” at the luncheon given by members of both Houses at Westminster Hall to Admiral Caillard and thoughts of either country, added Mr

John Morley. remarked on the differences the two great historic parties- had seen in foreign affairs. Many of them, he said, had been profound, and might bet so again.; but to-day all were of one mind. They all ardently welcomed the great, far reaching significance of that gathering, recognising that in the union of France and Britain the whole world’s progress most depended. Nothing was more alien to the thoughts of either country, added Mr Morley, than that sparks from the furnace of the British-French entente should set Europe a-fire. The “Chronicle” says :—Mr Balfour and Mr Morley share in a firm resolve to treat the entente as an instrument of peace. We may be sure diplomacy is busy at St.. Petersburg and Tokio in urging moderation on both parties.