The sea coast echo., 1902-03-01
A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE.
The Official Reception rendered at
the White House.

Rarely in its history has the
White House been the scene of a
mole brilliant spectacle than Mon
day whom President Roosevelt
welcomed to the United States
Prince Henry of Prussia. Ever
since the announcement was made |
that the prince would visit this
country, the arrangements for this |
reception had been the subject Of /,
frequent discussion at the meet
ings of the cabinet and details of
the plan for the entertainment
and oanfort of the royal visitor
have constantly been referred to
the president for suggestion or
approval. 1t has been the pres-
dents wish, that avoiding all os-
tentation, the prince be given a
cordial welcome. So far as fede-
raj authority controls in the mat
Ter that plan has been carried ont.
The prince has met the president
and nothing could have been more
cordial and ingenious than the
presidents greeting which was re-
turned by Prince Henry in full
measure.
Special preparations were made
at the White House for this event.
All Of the State apartment on the
first floor had received much at
tention from the government flo.
rists, but the decorations of the
three communication parlors the
Blue Room, where tho president
and prince met and exchanged
their greetings; the parlor occu-
pied by Mrs. and Mas Roosevelt,
and the Green Room. ,..where there
was assembled the members of the
cabinet and their ladies, the wife
of Secretary Cortelyou, and few
invited guests--were exquisitcly
beautiful. The great East Room,
where were conducted the princes
suite, the German Ambassador and
staff, the American officers and
other prominent guests, was
handsomely decorated. In these
State apartments, rs elsewhere
unseemly display had been care
fully avoided, but the rich furni-
ture and draperies, the artistically
arranged vases filled with great
clusters of American beauty roses
and other blossoms, the evergreens
and the gorgeous uniforms of the
prince and his party combined to
make the scene one of exception
nal brilliancy and beauty.
II was l0:45 O'Clock when the
escort in cavalry column swung
through the east gate and at n
brisk pace passed up the broad
driveway to the White House.
Here the column broke into sin
gle rank, facing the main entrance.
| At the word of command rs the
princes carriage passed the gate,
with that snap and precision
which has made the Second Regi-
ment famous, every sabre flashed
from its scabbard and came to the
position of present. A detach-
ment of marines headed by its
famous band had taken place al
the right and left of the main en-
trance, facing north. The first
carriage containing the prince
Secretary Hay and Rear-Admira
Evans drove up at rapid pace
and as It passed upon the porte
coche, the marine band struck uI
the German national air, which
was continued until all the com
pany had left their carriages.
At the carriage door the prince
was met by Asst Secretary Pearc'
and the German ambassador ant
escorted to the East Room. From
there the prince alone was con
Quoted to the Blue parlor. wher'
the president was in waiting t,
, receive him. In conformity wit
diplomatic etiquette the presiden
i received the royal visitor in pr
vate and without introduction
This was made necessary by tn
| fact that there isnow in the Unit
ed States no representative of th
German nation of sufficiently hig
rank to present to the president
representative Of the German Ell
peror.
After the greetings had bee
/. extended, the president led Il
way to the adjoining parlor an
J introduced him to Mrs. Rooseve
y and his daughter, Miss Alic
, few words with them, the roy
"a visitor was conducted into u
h Green room and introduced to u
! members of the cabinet and the
: ladies. After ceremony the fo
e loving stotement was made
n Assistant Secretary Pearce:
e "The conyers alton between t
4 president and the prince was of
Il purely formal nature and of
r. political significance further tn
% contained in the usual general e
i pressions Of international ami
r and good will.
y. The party then proceeded
the East room where the membe
of the princes suite were intr
III duced to the president. The G
I'd tire ceremony occupied just thiI
IS minutes, On the party reappe;
V, ing the marine band play
We GLANDS Across the Sea" and W
n: a few sharp military comman'
fba J,ixy., IN fha Gai,n1an an n a