St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-10-17
Tnr MARITIME CONGRESS.
Admiral Franklin Chosen Presi-
dent and the Delegates Meet
President Harrison.

WASHING TON, Oct. 16.-The diplo-
matte reception room of the state de-
partment presented a scene of unusual
brilliancy this morning when Secretary
Blaine received the delegates to the
international marine conference. The
hour fixed for the ceremony was II
o'clock and previous to that time the
delegates had gathered in the. anterOom
and exchanged cOurtesieS and greetings.
The members are nOble-lOoklng set or
men, and arrayed in the naval gold lace
of every prominent maritime nation or
the world, mad a striking appearance.
The exceptions 10 the glitter of uniforms
and decorations were the delegates from
China and South America. the former
in their distinctive national dress and
the latter in regulation dress suits. The
delegates were accompanied by the
ministers OF their respective countries.
AT five minutes after II o'clock they
were uShered into the diplomatic par
iOr by Assistant Secretary of State
Adee in the order of the precedence or
their ministers. The American dele
gates. headed by the martial figure OF
Admiral Franklin, needed no intermedI-
airy to bring them to the notice of the
secretary of state. The reception, par
taking of a diplomatic nature, was con-
Quoted in accordance with
ETIQUETTE OF SUCH OCCASIONS.
the doors being scrupulOusly guarded
by messengers and the proceedings
held in strictest seclusiOp. When Mr..
Blaine entered the parlOr, accompanied
by Solicitor Walker Blaine, the mem-
beers of the various delegations were
presented to him by their respective
ministers and he cordially received each
one with a warm grasp of the hand and
an appropriate word. To the delegates
formally Secretary Blaine made brief
address of welcome. At the conclusion
Of Secretary Blaine's brief address, on
motion of one of the delegates from
Great Britain. Admiral Franklin was
chosen president of the conference
and an adjournment until tomorrow
morning at IL was taken. This con-
Guided the proceedings in the
state department, not more than twenty
minutes having been occupied. with
Secretary Blaine and Sir Julian Paunce-
fOte. British minister. at their head, the
delegates then started for the White
house. As they emerged from the state
department bui lding they were grouped
on the southeast entrance and photo
graphed in body. When the delegates
reached the White house they were
shown into the East room, and the
house was closed to everybody else.
Secretary Blaine informed the presi-
dent of their arrival and they at once
repaired to the East room. Secretary
Blaine presented Rear Admiral Frank
lin, president of the congress, and he in
turn introduced the other American del
egates. The foreign delegates were
next presented. Mr.. Blaine first pre-
scented the resident minister of the
country represe nted, and he in turn
presented the member of the delegation.
The ceremonies, while rather formal,
were very bIief. The president made
a brief address of welcome, in which he
expressed the opinion that their del b.
eratiOns would result in much good 10
the commercial interests of the world.