Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-17
international Marine Confidence.

WAsHrNGrox. u. c., October 1G.-The
diplomatic rcceptlOn-rOOm OF the state
DEPARTMENT presented scene of unusual
brillancy this morning when Mr.. Blaine
received the delegates 10 the international
Marine Conference. The hour fixed Tor
the ceremony was II o'clock. and previous
to that time the delegates had gathered III
the aute-room and exchanged courtesles
and greetings. The members are a noble
looking set Of men, and arrayed IN the
naval gold lace of every prominent mari
time nation Of the world made striking
appearance The exceptions TO the glitter
Of the uniform decorations were the dele
gates 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 IL o'clock they were
ushcred into the diplomatic parlors by As
sistant Secretary -Of-State Adee in the order
Of precedence of their ministers. The
American delegates were headed by the
martial figure of Admiral Franklin. The
reception. partaking of diplomatic ma
turc, was conducted in accordance with
the etiquette OF such occasions, the door
being scrUpulously guarded by messengers
and the proceedings held in the strictest
seclusion.
When Mr. Blaine entered the parlor ac-
cOmpanied by Solicitor Walker Blaine the
members of the various delegations were
presented 10 him 10y their respective min
isters. and he cordially received each one
with a warm grasp Of the hand and M APP
propriatc word 70 the delegates formal
" Mr.. Blaine said: " Gentlemen,-l IS a
cause of extreme qualification To the
United States that Its invitation TO the
maritime powers Of the world has been met
], .I.t raparnl a Rpnrpgeufn-
tive from Asia. from Europe, from North
and South America. and from the Isles OF
the Sea will compose the conference. On
behalf of the United States | welcome you
al, gentlemen. 20 the honorable, scientific.
philanthrOpic duties which lie before you.
The already great and Iapidly-lncreasing
intercourse between continent and CONT
ncnt. between nation and nation. demands
every protection against the dangers of
the sea, and every guard for the safety OF
human life shall bc provided. The spoken
languages of the world will continue, but
necessity commands that the unspOken
language of the sea shall be one. That
LANGUAGE must be as universal as the needs
Of man for commerce and intercourse with
his fclloW-men. The deep interest which
the maritime nations have taken III the
questions at issue Is shown by the eminent
character and wide experience Of the dele
gates 10 WHO'LL llfF nave NOlAllliNNfh Ahf
important work. Again, gentlemen,
welcome YOU. and after your parliamentary
organization is completed, 1t Will be my
pleasure 10 present YOU in person 70 the
President of the United States
At the conclusion of Secretary Baine's
brief address, on motion of one OF the dele
gates from Great Britain, Admiral Franklin
was chosen president Of the conference
and the conference adjourned 70 IL \. NJ.
tomorrow.
This concluded the proceedings in the
State Department, not more than twenty
minutes having been occupied. with
Secretary Blaine and Sir Julian Paunce-
forte. the British Minister, at their head
the delegates then started for the White
House. As they emerged from the State
Department building they were grouped
on the southeast entrance and photograph
ed in a 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 Presl-
dent of their arrival and they at once re-
paired to the East Room. Secretary
Blaine presented Rear Admiral Franklin,
president of the congress- and he IL turn
introduced the other American delegates.
The foreign delegates were next presented.
Mr.. Blame first presented the resident
minister of the country represented, and he
in turn presented the members of his dele
CATION.
When these formal introductions had
ended the President spoke few informal
words Of welcome, expressing his gratiiica-
ton that the conference has assembled
under such pleasant auspices. He eX-
pressed his deep personal interest IN the
results which might be anticipated, and he
trusted, attained by the conference, aud
hoped that the passage OF the seas might
be made as safe as 1t has been made rapid.
The President, in conclusion. said that
the object for which the conference had
assembled was one which would attract
universal interest throughout the world,
and its attainment would be warmly wei
coined 10y all nations.
The following is a list of the Govern
ments participating in the conference, to-
cether with the names of the delegates of
the United States: Rear-Admiral Samuel
n. Franklin, United States navy; Captain
William L. Sampson, United States navy;
Sumner |. Kimball. general superintendent
United States life-saylng service; Captain
James W. Norcross, master merchant ma
rine: Captain John W. Shaickford, master
merchant marine; William w. Goodrich,
ESQ, counsellor al law: Clement A. Girls
com, president international Navigation
Company; Austria-Hungary, Belgium.
China, France. Germany. Great Britain,
Gautamala, Hawaii, Honduras, Italy, ia
pan, Mexico. Norway, Russia, Spain, Swe-
den. Siam. Netherlands, and Venezuela.
Invitations were also sent to Brazil, Chlll.
Costa Rica Nicaragua, and Uraguav, but
no delegates from these countries have re-
ported.