30 MAY 1908, Page 1

On Monday the President of the French Republic arrived in

London on a brief State visit. He crossed the Channel on board the French cruiser 'Leon Gambetta,' and was welcomed at Dover Harbour by a British fleet commanded by Lord Charles Beresford. On landing M. Fallieres, who was accompanied by M. Pichon, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, was received by Prince Arthur of Connaught. At Victoria Station he was met by the King, the Prince of Wales, Peince Christian, the Duke of Argyll, the Duke of Fife, and several members of the Government. The King and M. Fallieres then drove by a long route, which was amply decorated, to York House, where M. Fallieres stayed during his visit. There were enormous crowds along the route, and the President was greeted very heartily. In the evening there was a State banquet at Buckingham Palace. The King, in proposing the President's health, hoped that the " Entente will be a permanent Entente, because it is necessary for the welfare and prosperity of our two nations, and for the maintenance of the peace which makes for the happiness of the whole world."