5 AUGUST 1905, Page 2

The most interesting and the most novel feature in the

visit of the French Fleet—which, it now appears, was settled between the two Admiralties several months ago—will be the reception of the French naval officers in Westminster Hall next Saturday. The King has given his sanction, and the French Embassy have warmly welcomed the suggestion. The Lord Chancellor and the Speaker will both be present, and, it is understood, will propose respectively the toasts of "The King" and "The French President," while among the other speakers will be the French Admiral, Lord Lansdowne, And Sir John Fisher. It is a graceful act of hospitality, exercised in the most historic of English halls, under the auspices of that English institution which has always com- manded the special admiration of France. We are glad to see that in the welcome of one friendly Navy by the other Parliament will not be unrepresented.