Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-01-08
saw THE PRESIDENT
The Roosevelt New Year Reception
q Brilliant Event.
SINCERE GREETINGS TO ALL ALIKE.
General Public Turned Out Almost I'm
Masse, Together with Diplomats, States
mon and Ohiciais Of tho Army and
Navy. and Everybody Pleased.


Washington, Jan. 2.-Presiden
Roosevelts New Years reception
was one of the most brilliant event,
in Washington's social history. AL
callers were afforded the opportu
nifty Of greeting the president ant
Mrs. Roosevelt and exchanging with
them the compliments of the new
year.
The general public for the first
time had an opportunity to SEQ the
widely heralded improvements In the
white house-improvements which,
when completed, will have cost about
100000. In addition to q desire per
sonally to wish the president and
Mrs. Roosevelt happy Now Year,
hundreds were attracted by desire
to see the white house in It's new and
handsome interior finish and furnish
ing.
An hour before the time for the
formal reception the mansion was
aglow with myriads Of electric lights.
Towering palms Of rare varieties
were placed in inches about the vesti-
bule, main corridor and staircases.
Two great square masses Of Ameri-
can and English holly were arranged
between the vestibule and main cor
ridor, sffording brilliant and ef-
fective background for the handsome
scarlet uniforms OF the Marine band,
80 pieces, which occupied tiers Of
seats in the vestibule. In the red,
blue and green rooms and in the east
room were few vases containing
cut flowers, principally large white
lilies and lilies of the valley.
Promptly at II o'clock trumpeters
of the Marine band sounded a fan
fare, announcing the approach Of the
president and Mrs. Roosevelt and the
immediate receiving party. Presi-
dent Roosevelt, with Mrs. Roosevelt,
descended the main staircase and,
passing across the main corridor and
through the green room, entered the
blue room, where the guests were
received. Following them came the
members Of the cabinet and ladies'.
The receiving party was arranged in
the arc Of circle in the bow win
dow of the blue room. Facing them
were the women invited to assist.
Between the two sections of the re-
ceiving party lane was formed by
cordons Of old gold velvet. Through
this lane the callers passed from the
red room, proceeding through the
green room into the east room and
thence down the staircase into the
east terrace and passing into the
street opposite the west entrance of
the treasury.
The members Of the diplomatic
corps were received first. AS dean
Of the corps, Herr Won Holleben, the
German ambassador, headed the line.
All of the ambassadors and ministers
we're accompanied by their suites,
their uniforms weighted with gold
ace and rich decorations. Among the
diplomats particularly missed was WI
now on his way home.
rhe Chinese legation was represented
,y Shen Tung, the charge d'affaires,
Ind his suite, all attired in oriental
silks and satins.
Cuba was represented yesterday
or the first time. Senior Gonzales de
luesada extended the first greetings
IT new year to the president on
,ehalf Of the new island republic.
N all, IS embassies and legations
we're represented at the reception.
after the diplomats President and
Mrs. Roosevelt received the supreme
.ourt Of the United States, then SEN
tors, representatives and delegates,
ollowed by the army and navy off,
ers.
AT one o'clock the reception to citi-
ems began. For hours hundreds Of
'ersons of all ages, colors, sexes and
conditions had been waiting to greet
he president and receive his greet
ng. The line passed slowly through
he main entrance of the white house
cross the corridor into the red room
nd past the president in the blue
DOM. The president had a happy,
heery greeting for all. /
Last night President and Mrs.
Roosevelt entertained a number of
ut-of-to%n friends at dinner. The
tate dining room, newly finished and
eing more suited for such functions
han the private dining room, was
sed for the occasion. Following the
inner the guests were given q box
arty by Miss Alice Roosevelt at the
lew National theater, where Miss
nnie Russel's new play, "Mice and
lem" Is being produced. ,