The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-02
SHOOK 6,7II HANDS
ROOSEVELT BUSY MAN AT THE
WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION.
EVENT A BRILLIANT ONE.
COLOMBIA HAD NO REPRESENTA-
TIVE AT THE FUNCTION.

IOmbta Made Gen. Reyes Decide
He Would Not Attend the Recep-
tiOn-Thirty-fve Countries Were
Represented - Precautions to In
sure the Presidents Safety.
Washington. Jan. president and
Mrs. Roosevelt inaugurated to-day the
official social season in the nations
capital with brilliant reception at
the White House.
The interior of the White House
never was more beautiful than to-
day. The mansion glowed with cleo
| trio lights, and floral decorations were
disposed about the corridors and par
Tors. Rare palms. potted plants and
exquisite cut flowers were arranged eff
| feetively in every available space.
Great rectangular urns. banked to the
edges with dwarf palms and holly
were placed between the main cor
ridor and the vestibule forming a fit
| ting background for the gorgeous new
uniforms of the Marine Band, which,
sixty pieces strong, was seated in the
| vestibule.
Eleven o'clock was the hour fixed for
|
an hour before that time carriages
containing members of the diplomatic
corps rolled up to the southern en-
trance of the White House.
| Among the representatives of the ma
tions of the world it was noticed that
| there was one absentee Colombia,
| one of this country's sister republics
to the south, was not represented at
the reception. Gen. Rafael Reyes, the
minister of Colombia in this country
on a special mission, did not attend
the reception, lest, it is unders. God,
his presence at the White House might
be misconstrued by his people. He,
therefore. had begged to be excused.
DR.. Herran, the Colombian charge
d'affares, was detained at his resi-
dence by a bronchial affection.
To-day as a year ago, a new repub-
lie was represented for the first time
in the line of diplomats. Last year
1t was Cuba; this, the republic of
Panama, NJ Bunau-Varilla being the
accredited minister of the infant state
who exchanged greetings with the
President.
Reception was Opened.
At IL o'clock fanfare of trumpets an
nounced the opening of the reception
and the approach of the President and
Mrs. Roosevelt. President Roosevelt
escorting Mrs. Roosevelt, descended the
main staircape, and passed to the Blue
Parlor where the guests were receiv-
ed.
The members OF the receiving party
were arranged in the arc of a circle in
the bow window of the Blue Room, the
guests invited to assist in the recep-
ton facing them behind the line. Both
the President and Mrs. Roosevelt were
particularly gracious in the greeting
Of their callers. The President FREE
quently joked with friend and Mrs
| Roosevelt entered into the affair with
evident enjoyment. President Roose-
welt was attired In a conventional
frock suit.
First to be received were the mem-
bers of the diplomatic corps. All OF
the ambassadors. and ministers were
accompanied by their entire suites.
| AS dean of the corps, Count Cassini.
the Russian ambassador, and master
of the imperial court, occupied the
position of honor at the head of the
line. M. Jusserand, Baron Sternberg
and Sir Henry Durand made their first
New Years calls at the White House
| as ambassadors. In all thirty-five
countries of the world were represented
at the reception.
Following the diplomatic corps, the
!
| preme Court, headed by Chief Justice
| Fuller, were received. The reception
| OF members of Congress began at
/ 1880 o'clock. Comparatively few were
in attendance, as many of the senator's
and representatives have not return
| ed.
Young Led the Military.
Respondent in full dress uniforms.
! the military contingent followed the
! congressman. This line was made up
| of officers, active and retired, of the
army, navy and marine corps and the
District of Columbia National Guard
For the first time at a reception. the
army was led by officers of the gem
! eral staff. Lieut. Gen. Young, who
last year led the line as major general
and in the absence Of Gen. Miles. who
was on a tour of duty in the Far
! East, was the senior officer in Wash
! ington, to-day again occupied that po-
sition, wearing the three stars and the
| title of chief of staff. For the first
time the new uniform of officers Of
the army was seen to its best effect.
Following the army, were the officers
| of the navy, headed by Admiral
Dewey, who was absent from Wash
ington last New Years Day conduct
ing the winter manoeuvers of the navy
! in the Caribbean. The officers Of the
marine corps followed the navy. Fol-
| lowing the military was the civilian
| contingent of the government service
and members of various patriotic or
| ders.
Then began the reception of citizens.
hundreds of whom had been waiting
| in line for several hours. The line of
people entered the north door of the
| White House, passed across the vesti-
bule and main corridor, through the
Red Room to the Blue Room, where
the guests of President and Mrs.
Roosevelt were received.
secret Service Men In Plenty.
| Special precautions were taken to in
sure the personal safety of the Presi-
dent. No person was permitted to ap-
| proach the President with his hands
| in his pockets or otherwise concealed.
An extra force of secret service off,
GERS and additional policemen were on
guard both in and about the White
House throughout the reception.
The reception was concluded at 2:11
o'clock, all citizens in line by that
time having been afforded an oppor-
tunity to greet the President. Mrs.
Roosevelt and the ladies OF the cabi-
net stood in the receiving line until $40
o'clock. when they retired.
pretty incident of the reception
was the exchange Of greetings be-
Continued on Sixth Page)