The Washington times., 1901-09-09
THE RETURN OF DIPLOMATS
Several Members of the Party,
However. Remain in Buffalo.
DIR. silva, the Colombian Minister,
Tells of the Events Before and
After the Tragedy-Thc Rainbow
City Plunged in Gloom by Crime.

Several members of the Diplomatic
Corps. who. at the time of the shooting
of President Mckinley, were in Buffalo
attending the exercises of President
Day at the exposition, arrived in Wash
ington at o'clock yesterday morning, in
a special car over the Pennsylvania Rail-
road. Many of them did not return, but
will remain in Buffalo for a few days, un-
til the condition of the President changes
either for inc better or worse.
The diplomats left Washington a few
days ago to attend the ceremonies Incl
dent to Presidents Day at Buffalo, as
guests of the exposition during the Obser-
vances of the occasion. They left the
city iight-hearted and cheerful, and re
turned saddened by the tragic ending of
what was intended as a pleasure trip.
They were present at the exposition,
many of them on the grounds, when
|. President Mckinley was shot down by
the assassin; and the entire detail % the
tragedy occurred almost in their presence.
After reaching the city most of the
members of the Diplomatic Corps did not
return TO their legations. which have been
/ closed for some time. The Costa Rican
Minister, Senior Calvo, and the Minister
to the United States from the United
States of Colombia, DIR. Silva, were among
Those who returned from the Pan-Ameri-
can yesterday morning.
1. Dr. Silva told the story of the attempt-
Cd assassination Of President cMnley
as he gathered the details. Senor Silva
said that at the time of the attempt upon
the life of President Mckinley none of
the members of the Diplomatic Corps
was present, and the shooting was not
actually witnessed by them, although the
scene OF the tragedy was gained almost
imme diately by the horror-stricken rep
'resentatives to the United States.
Il realized that the reception to which
President Mckinley was going would pro-
duce great crowd" said the Colombian
Minister, speaking Of the tragic event in
the Temple Of Music and l. together
with many others, decided not to attend
the reception on account of the great
crush.
Just q short time before the tragedy
occurred l remarked upon the great num-
Der of ladies and children present They
were waving and cheering for the Presi-
dent. and it did my heart good TO see
them. The sight was a beautifully patri-
! otic one The scene Immediately before
the shooting was an animated one. gay
with color and glowing with happiness
u
| and children.
! Il was particularly impressed with the
! scene from the acclaim with which the
immense throngs cheersd the President,
and more especially with the large num-
/ Der of laughing children in the mass of
/ humanity choking the approaches of the
/ plaza, awaiting the coming Of the Presi-
dent Several times l remarked upon the
| fact, and could not repress smile at the
| happy, cheerful sight
The entire experience at Buffalo. up
TO the time of the attempted assassination
of rPesident Mckinley was most happy
! one.
Then came the tragedy, plunging the
| whole city, everyone, in the deepest and
blackest gloom. The voices of the chill
dren, such a short time before raised in
laughter and cheers at the approach of
the Presidential party. were hushed. and.
indeed even turned to sObs, the news
of the tragedy became known. l was
affected strongly by the sad climax to a
delightful and happy occasion, and sad
| dened beyond expression. The affair
came so suddenly-like bolt out of a
clear sky, without warning. without word
that it paralyzed the assembled throngs
sof sightseers and guests. 1t is horrible. -