GUARDING A PRESIDENT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7800, 3 September 1903, Page 2

GUARDING A PRESIDENT

HOW DETECTIVES SHADOWED M. LOUBETIN LONDON. Unrelaxing precautions were taken, for the safety of <M. Loubet during his stay in England. Scotland Yard, with silent vigilance, dogged the President's steps from, start to finish, arid there were but few moments when a detective was not within, arm's reach of the nations guest-. When the President landed at Dover, four gentlemen in frock-coats and silk hate 2 who apparently were taking part in the reception, were in reality Scotland Yard detectives. From the moment M. Loubet set foot ashore he was, unknown to himself, taken in charge by the four detectives. Except when the President was at the iloyal palaces or in his carriage, one of those four was within a few feet of him. Very few people were aware of the identity of the dectectives. To ell appearance they were members of the presidtntial suite. They travelled to London in his train, were in close proximity when : he alighted at Victoria, and from thence onward practically never left him. At all semi-private functions they were , mingling with the guests 'beforehand, satisfying themselves of the identity of every person likely to be in the immediate neighbourhood of tne President. UNOBTRUSIVE ACTIVITY. During the visit to $he French Hospital there werp five detectives present among g. company "numbering about thirty. Tfley worked unobtrusively. One was just behind M. Loubet, looking for all the world like a secretary of the Embassy ; the others were scattered about. They were near the President when be entered the carriage to leave. Then, as he drove off, they made their way as quickly as possible to his next stopping place, at which they managed to arrive before him. Complete freedom was given to the detectives as tp their mode of action. At one gathering they were not quite satisfied as to one gentleman in the reception group. Just as the President arrived that gentleman found a stranger carelessly standing right in front of him. When M. Loubet went to the gala performance at the Opera a couple of gentlemen in evening dress were lounging outside the door of the Royal box, quietly chatting. They were detectives. ! Emissaries from Scotland Yard were present to see the President enter St James's Palace at slight ; they were present when he emerged in the morning. So quietly was their work carried out that M. Loubet had not the slightest idea that he was being shadowed and guarded. Scotland Yard had also taken precautions in another direction. Detectives have swarmed in the Soho quarter during the .past few days. Every Known Anarchist has been under surveillance, and not until the President was beyond danger was the- vigilance relaxed. FRENCH DETECTIVE METHODS. But it was not only Scotland Yard' that kept, a watchful eye on the visitor. Two trusted French ' detectives are specially selected to follow tie President whexever he may go, and they crossed the Channel with him, and througnout the visit were his faithful) guardians 1 . At the reception in the French Embassy on the day ot arrival a powerful, keen-eyed man was to be seen lurking about the main entrance. He was correctly and even eleganrly dressed in a morning suit with white waistcoat and silk hat. He assumed the part of the ordinary spectator, but he was President Loubet's private detective. Now and' again he silently passed a signal to a constable, and the person under suspicion was moved on. A woman who talked at a great rate and walked in a hesitating manner was hurraed alomr, and a man who looked like a once affluent foreigner was placed quietly beyond the police barrier. Next came a person who was attired in| the shabby black of the broken-down waiter. A nod from the strong, keen man and an officer sent him, too, about his business. But he was the second detective attached to M. le President, and in his quaintold) disguise he mingled with the throng and occasionally nodded. The same simple procedure was adopted by these two faithful detectives wherever the President went. Of course tfcey did not think that there were any particular reasons for elaborate precautions, but not a moment passed without finding them ready to spring. "