PRESIDENT FALLIERES. ARRIVAL IN LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2829, 3 June 1908, Page 19

PRESIDENT FALLIERES. ARRIVAL IN LONDON.

THE EXHIBITION INSPECTED. | LONDON, May 26. A flotilla of British destroyers met and escorted President Fallieres off Shakespeare Cliff, where a garlanded fleet lay. The Leon Gambetta steamed between the lines*, receiving a salute, the bands playing the " Marseillaise " and the bluejackets cheering. The President was greatly pleased at the cordiality of his welcome at Dover. He was accorded a brilliant reception at Victoria Station, where King Edward warmly greeted him. President Fallieres accompanied the King to St. James's Palace. The crowds were enthusiastic, and the decorations in Grosvenor 'place, Piccadilly, and St. James's street were* magnificent. After making ceremonial calls on King Edward and the Prince of Wales, President Fallieres attended a State banquet «t Buckingham Palace. j 'King Edward said that he and the I Queen were enchanted at the welcome accorded ' the President, and hoped the entente would become permanent,, because it was necessary for the welfare and prosperity of the two nations and for the maintenance of peace, which made for. the happiness of the whole world. President Fallieres replied that he was much touched with the splendour and friendliness of the reception which King Edward and London had accorded him. j This visit and King Edward's frequent sojourns in France confirmed the cordial understanding between the two countries, which, he was well convinced, the future would render closer for their common good and the maintenance of the peace of the world. It was most agreeable to him to visit the Exhibition in company with the. King and admire the genius of the two peoples. He drank to the Royal Family, to the greatness of the United Kingdom, and to the development of the auspicious friendship uniting the two nations. -^ving Edward decorated President Fallieres with the Grand Chain of the Victorian Order, and President Fallieres conferred the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour on Prince Arthur of Connaught and Lord Charles Beresford. May 27. President Fallieres attended ?, state ball at Buckingham Palace. King Edward, Queen Alexandra, and the Prince of Wales met President Fallieres in the Industrial Hall of the Exhibition, proceeding to the Court of Honour, where numerous presentations Were made. . An inspection of the French, British, and Colonial Courts followed, being necessarily brief. The Canadian Court, being unfinished, is ainopened. Mr Kennaway, representing the Hon. W. P. Reeves, received the royalties in the New Zealand Court. Messrs Walde.2iave and J. Maclean, Colonel W. Smith, ■and Mr Chatter were present. j " Mr Cameron explained the principal i features of the exhibits. j King Edward was delighted with the sporting exhibits, pairticularly the red ieer from stock presented by the Prince Consort, and also with a kauri trophy and rugs and tweeds made from New Zealand wool. ■ Loixf Jersey received the visitors in the Australian Court, and explained the arrangement of the courts and the joint Exhibits. The party then visited the other Australian States* courts. , Mr Raeon, Agent-general for West Australia, presented King Edward with an ink stand 'made '.of West Australian woods. .. - - " The Queen wa& deeply interested in the Queensland opals and beryls, and asked that a selection of stones be sent to her. - King Edward informed Lord Jersey of this extreme pleasure at the appearance of the Australian Court, and congratulated all concerned on the fine arrangement displayed. He regretted the shortnees of the visit., but said he would come jgain. President Fallieriefi's verdict was "Tres ■nagnifinue.'-

King iidward said he was greatly pleased with the Australian tropical garden in the central- half of the Australian Court. The High Commissioners and. Agents-general representing New Zealand and the Crown colonies were presented to their Majesties and the President. .President Fallieres and the Prince of Wales were the guests of the city at luncheon in the Guildhall. There was tremendous enthusiasm. Two hundred and thirty French officers and sailors were to-day shown the London sights and feted. ,May 28. A gala performance in Covent Gardens was attended by King Edward, Queen Alexandra, President Fallieres, the Prince of Wales, most of the Royal family and the rank and fashion of England, and the Maharajah of Nepaul. The first act of "I Pescatori di Perle" and the garden scene in " Faust " enabled Madame Tettrazzini and Madame Melba respectively to appear to great advantage. A large party of the officers and crews of the Leon Gainbetta and French deetroyers was entertained in London, and visited the Exhibition. There was brilliant sunshine, and immense and enthiusj- '. asti'c crowds gave President Fallieres a magnificent demonstration during Ms progress to the Guildhall. The Lord Mayor's reception was attended by many of the most diotinguished men in the United Kingdom, including Mr Asquith, Mr iJalfeur, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. In responding to the Recorder's address of welcome, President Fallieres said he rejoiced to see the cordial relations between the two countries drawing daily closer. , Tlie Prince of Wales and Prince and Princess Christian attended the banquet. The Lord Mayor proposed " The- Health, of President Fallieres," who met with an ovation. He gracefully described London as a hearth from -which radiated generous and liberal ideas and indefeasible principles of all progress and civilisation. He referred to the sentiments of trust and lively sympathy animating France and Britain. The Government of the Republic strove with all its might to strengthen the happy relations of friendship and busin€ss uniting the two countries. He also referred to the brilliant success of the Exhibition. M. Piohon, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, had a long interview with Sir Edward Grey, when a complete agreement on all questions was established. May 29. President Fallieres visited Windsor Castle and the Frogmore Mausoleum, and laid a wreath on Queen Victoria's tomb. He also entertained King Edward and | the Prince of Wales at dinner at the French Embaesy, and presented £200 to the London poor. j The King and Prince- of Wales and Prince Christian bad© farewell to President Fallieres at Victoria Station. M. Pichon (the French Foreign Minister), when interviewed, said that President Fallieres was profoundly impressed ■with his magnificeafl/ reception. It was most cheering to*see that ths policy of an understanding with Great Britain had become triumphant in the form of a close permanent entente. Both nations feel instinctively that this is one of the surest means of counteracting all combinations interfering with their Interests or threatening their peace. May 30. Presiding at the Liberal Unioni&t Club dinner to Mr Balfour at the Hotel Cecil, Lord Lansdowne, speaking after the toast of " The King," gave the toast of " President Fallieres," remarking that the good understanding between Britain and France initiated by the Unionist Government had stood the. test of time, and gave promise to continue to stand. It had, he said, found favour with the people because it made for the greatest of all British interest* — peace. Mr Balfour's speech was a strong criticism -of the Government's domestic legislation, which he denounced as expedients to prevent the Government losing at bye-elections. President Fallieree, when quitting Dover, sent to King Edward a message of renewed thanks for liis warm reception, and assuring the King that he- carried away an everlasting remembrance cf his sta^r in, London.

King EdwaTd sent a felicitous reply. M. "Pichon (French Minister of Foreign Affairs) and Admiral Jaureginberry (of the -cruiser Leon Gamibetta) have been created honorary Knights v^rand Cross of the Victorian Order. PARIS, May 27. The Temps says that if the entente, is strengthened by -the substitution of a treaty of alliance for a moral understanding Britain must provide a modern army j cajpable of assisting France. The French newspapers of all shades of ■ opinion warmly acclaim the solidity of j the entente. ' ! The Eclair alone advises caution lest > Germany be provoked. The paper adds I that the British Admiralty is madly bent upon destroying Germany's squadron. PRESS COMMENTS. LONDON, May 28. The Daily .News (G.) says it would regard a specific alliance as a disaster ! for European peace, ev§n if the Republic j proved more accommodating than ths \ Temps, and did not -insist on England substituting conscription for a voluntary army. *- Tii& Daily Telegraph (O.) says that whatever the future may bring forth, for the present the entente must suffice. The Morning Post (O.) says that the question whether the friendship is to i culminate in a partnership must not be lightly or hurriedly treated.* i The Daily Chronicle (G.) says that the present cordial understanding may become an alliance, but there is no occasion to force the pace or to anticipate the future. Referring to the speculations of the French newspapers, The Times Tema.rke that the King and Queen's proposed visit to Ruesia had helped to foster the illusion that President Fallieres's visit to London was likely to be followed by some great development in international affairs. The paper thinks that such speculations are wholly out of place. While Great Britain will unflinchingly adhere to the spirit and letter of the entente, The Times fails < to see any grounds of Bound policy for endeavouring at present to give it wider scope and a more formal character. Such j efforts would defeat their own object, and cause misconstructions. j