PRESIDENT OF FRANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20101, 18 May 1927, Page 9

PRESIDENT OF FRANCE

OFFICIAL Visit TO THE KING

FRIENDSHIP OF FRENCH PEOPLE. (Official Wireless News.) (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, May 16. When M. Donrnergue, accompanied by M. Briand (French Foreign Minister), arrived at Dover to-day on a State visit he was met by the Prince of Wales and Earl Haig. Upon. leaving the steamer Invicta he issued the following message to the British nation: The President of the French Republic is very happy to visit his Majesty King George V. and to bring to the British people sentiments of the cordial friendship of the French people, and to mark thus the strength of the bonds which unite the two nations. At Victoria station the King, who was accompanied by Prince Henry and the Duke of Connaught, awaited the French President. Mr Baldwin (Prime Minister) and Sir Austen Chamberlain (Foreign Secretary) represented the Government. Earl Beatty was among the other notable persons on the platform. The King warmly greeted M. Doumergue, and introduced him to distinguished personages. Accompanied by the King, M. Doumergue inspected the guard of honour of Grenadier Guards, and then the King and the President, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Henry entered the Royal carriage. The British and French National Anthems were played during these proceedings. As tne King and the President drove to Buckingham Palace, escorted by the Sovereign’s escort of the Royal Horse Guards they were louldy cheered by large crowds. The President, later visited the Cenotaph in Whitehall and the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, and laid a magniefient wreath on each.

A MEETING OF RULERS. CORDIAL GREETINGS EXCHANGED. LONDON, May 16. (Received May 17, at 10 p.m.) Brilliant pageantry and an outburst of popular enthusiasm marked the arrival of President Doumcrguo and M. Briand, and chocring crowds lined the route to the palace. Victoria Station, which was covered with a red carpet, was beflaggod and banked up with fresh flowers. His Majesty and the President shook hands witii obvious friendliness and genuine cordiality. The spectators were specially delighted to sec his Majesty singling out the Prince of Wales for a warm handshake, in spite of the fact that he had been absent only a few hours. —A.P.A. and Sydney Sun Cable.

GOLD-PLATE BANQUET. BRILLIANT SCENE AT THE PALACE. * LONDON, May 16. (Received May 17, at 8 p.m.) At the famous Gold-plate Banquet at the Palace there were 150 guests, including 11 royalties. The staircase leading to the banqueting hall was lined with troopers of the Household cavalry, and the hall was lavishly decorated. The King wore an admiral’s uniform, and the Queen was robed in a magnificent gown of opalescent paillette over creamy chiffon. Her gems included the famous Kohinoor diamond.

The King, toasting the President of France, emphasised that his visit was a manifest sign of tho Entente Cordiale, which had been so happily established between the two countries.

President Doumorgue, in reply, said that the Entente Cordiale had created between Franco and Britain indissoluble ties which future generations would maintain as a sacred heritage. The President decorated the Queen with the Legion of Honour.—A.P.A. and Sydney Sun Cable.