FRANCE'S FLEET.

Shannon News, 6 October 1925, Page 2

FRANCE'S FLEET.

REVIEWED BY THE PRESIDENT. The Mediterranean and North Sea Fleets of France were reviewed at Cherbough on July 16 by the President of the Republic, who was accompanied by M. I'ainleve, the Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber, and several Ministers. There were in all GO war vessels assembled, ranging from six cruisers to little submarine chasers, states the Paris correspondent of the "Daiiy Telegraph." The arrival of the Presidential train at 8 o'clock in the morning l was signalised by a salute of a hundred and one guns from the shore batteries, after which a salute of twenty-one guns were fired by all the cruisers. Embarking on the submarine Soufflour,. and escorted by two other submarines, the President and his. party made a tour of the assembled fleet, going on board three of the cruisers, on which, the crews were inspected. The President was then guest of honour at a luncheon given by the Minister of Marine on the Dreadnought Paris. Speaking at this luncheon, M. Bore], Minister of Marine, said: "The policy of France is the Pacts of Security and Disarmament. It is not directed against anyone. But if ever a. day should come when France finds herself menaced, she will find that the science and devotion of officers and men of .her fieei: are worthy of her highest traditions." The President, replying, said: "Our navy emerged very sorely tried from the war, a fact which makes it all the dearer to us. It is natural, therefore, that within means and the limits traced by agreements we should desire to restore it <?o that it may in the future as in the past assure the security of our country This is a legitimate aspiration wV.ieh ought not to offend anyone in Ihe. world, for no nation on earth has given during the last half century more striking proofs of its love of peace. France has associated, and will always associate herself, zealously with all efforts for the consolidation of peace and the banishment of war, if possible, for ever." During the afternoon the President, attended a civic reception at the Hotel de Ville, and was present .in the evening at a banquet given in his honour by the Municipality.