Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-01-02
RECEPTION BY PRESIDENT
Roosevelt Had His First New Years
Gathering at the White House.
MANSION WAS BOWER OF BLOOM
The Diplomats Were in Rich
Court Uniforms.
MUSIC WAS FURNISHED BY TWO BANDS
Associated Pres, fi,paten by Special Wires.

Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires.
Wash ngton, Jan. |. President Rooee.
welt had b g first New Years reception
at the White House today, and, sur
rounded by the Presidential and cabinet
circle, he greetad officials in every
branch of public life, as we'll as great
cuncourse of peonle from private life.
The scene within the historic mansion
was one OF extraordinary beauty and
brillianoy, and there was an added
touch of interest in the occasion this
year from the fact that this was the
first official function Of magnitude with
Mr.. Roosevelt and his interesting
family as the central figures
The day was ideal for the observance
OF the time honored custom of making
New Years calls The sun shone from
cloudless sky, the air was cool and
brRoing, and light west wind made
the White House flags stand out
proudly. Early in the day an army of
decorators and florists took possession of
the mansion, and transformed the
stately corridors and parlors into bowers
of palms, potted plants and sweet
smelling flowers. I he official pro.
gramme Of the day fixed II O'Clock as
$50 bihlo 'oA bpShihS Inv
with the calls of the members Of the
cabinet and the foreign representatives,
but some Tins before that hour the ap.
proachss leading up TO the marble
portioo were filled with carriages, while
long lines of people took Eosi tion at the
outer gates in order TO have POINTS of
vantage when the pubic reception be.
gan.
In the outer corridor, just within the
entrance, the band of the Engineer
Corps, United States Army, 60 strong,
in Their brilliant uniforms, were ranged
10 tiers, while further along, in the
conservatory, was the full mem bershiE
of the Marine Bard, in bright red uni.
forms. While the musicians were TAX
| ing their places. the Roosevelt children
we're having merry time through the
corridors, and one Of them could be
heard playing the Kangaroo March"
in tho private apartments of the presi-
| DENTAL family.
Shortly bsfoie II o clock the thronas
of distinguished callers began to as
semble in the ma q corridor. The first
were the members of the diplomatio
corps, in their rich court uniforms, re.
| splendent in medals and decorations. 1t
was a most cosmopolitan rhrong, with
| the Oriental silks of the Chinese min
lister and his suite. the red fea OF the
| Turkish minister and the more modern,
| but equally gorgeous attire of the
Japanese and GoreRns conspicuous
amid the groups of diplomatists. The
members of the corps, gathered in the
red rarlor preparatory to being pre-
sented to the President and those about
| him.
| Exactly at IL O'Clock fanfare from
three trumpeters, stationed at the
| further end of the main corridor, an
nounced the approach of the President
( and the receiving party. At the same
moment President and Mrs. Roosevelt
appeared at the upper landing Of the
corridor and, arm in arm, descended
| the stairway, while tho Marine Band
broke into Hail to the Chief" The
| Pres dent bowed rs he passed along,
| frequently giving CHEEKY response to
the New Years greetings extended to
him from those In the line. Mrs. Roose
welt held in her hand superb bouquet
of pink orchids. She wore gown of
white satin, heavily pleated, with lace
| yoke and diamond ornaments, and in
her hair sparkled diamond tiara. The
President was in the conventional black
| frock coat. He had no boutonniere, and
the gray stripe neck scarf was the only
bit of color in his attire. Following
the President and wife came the meni-
| Gers of the cabinet and their wives.
The Presidential party took up their
station in the blue parlor, with the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt immed
ltely alongside the entrance, ready to
grasp the hands OF callers as they were
announced. The cabinet ladies formed
long line extending from Mrs. Rouse-
| welt 10 the further side of the room.
while back of the receiving line were
grouped the members of the oabinet
and gay party of young people. IA
Roon as the President took his position,
he turned to the many ladies invited
| behind the line and gave each of them
in turn warm greet NC and the we'll
wishes of the day Then the signal
was gwen for admitting the distin
guished Official callers, who Ey this
time filed the outer corridors TO over.
| flowing. As dean of the diplomatic
corps, tho British Ambassador, Lord
Paupoefote. is usually the first Of the
foreign callers to greet the President.
Today, however, he was absent from
| the line, having conveyed his private
greeting to the President, and the head
of the line was taken by Lady Paunoe-
| Iol6 anu tub MlssSS L hubCoiute uuu
the many military, naval and civil
members of the British establish
ment, all of the officials in full uni
form. The French Ambassador, M.
Cambon, with all the members of the
embassy staff, was next in line. Fol-
lowing came the German Ambassador,
DIR. Won Holleben, accompanied by
retinue OF dashing young officers of the
German army and navy. The Russian
| a m bassador, Count Cassini, the Italian
Ambassador, Signor Mayor, and the
Mexican Ambassador, Senior Azpiroz.
were also accompanied by large official
stats. Following the Ambassadors came
| the ministers Of Austria. Hungary,
Switzer and. Japan, China, Brazil,
Argentine. Turkey, Belgium, Siam and
many other countries.
President Roosevet's manner Of re.
CO wing his callers was exceedingly
gracious and happy. As each guest
was announced by Col. Bingham, the
PRESIDENT grasped the hand of the
visitor and " shed him hearty new
year Mrs Roosevelt proved to lie
most charming New Years hostess, and
the cordiality OF her greetings reminded
many of the callers of the days when
Mrs Cleveland was mistress of the
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