The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-12
BRYAN BACK AT HOME
He Talks Centrally About His
Trip Alb DAD and His
Impressions

New YORK, u 9.-Tne White
Star steamer Celtic, on which William
J. Bryan is a passenger, arrived to-
day. The steamer vas met at Quar-
eaiRe by a committee Of prominent
Democrats. headed by former United
States Senator Charles A. Towne,
Melvin c. Palliser, Justice Samuel
Seebury and Henry George. Jr.
Coming UP the bay Mr.. Bryan held
a general reception. He declined to
talk specifically for publication. on
the ground that he intended to write
OF his experiences and did not desire
all the impressions he had gained to
be told before his own writings had
achieved print
Mr.. Bryan said he visited ten cap
itals and a part of Sweden. He
spent fourteen hours with Count Toll
stoL- He also saw Mr.. Nordau and
Mr.. Croker He and Mr.. Croker
visited each other he said.
what did you say to each other?"
was asked.
FL don't think we said anything of
public interest. You must remember
that / know less OF what has been
going on in this country during the
last two months than in any two
months Of my life"
Mr.. Bryan heard of the Chicago
fire just as he was leaving Liverpool,
but got none of the particulars. He
expressed himself as greatly shocked
when Informed of the great loss of
life.
Asked about the great men he
visited, Mr.. Bryan said he thought
Nj. Balfour, England's premier, one
of the most scholarly he had ever
met. He spoke in terms of high
praise and gratitude OF the manner
in which he had been received and
helped by Ambassador Choate and
all ether American representatives to
whom ne had applied.
Il met President Loubet of France
Mr.. Bryan said, And found him very
pleasant. President Deucher of
Switzerland is a very genial man,
with German characteristics strongly
marked The Gear Of Russia also
appeared to me to be very charm
ing. The crown prince of Denmark
Is affaDle and friendly to a degree.
With the exception of President Lou
bet all Of them spoke English we'll.
/ enjoyed the visit to the vatican and
was presented to the Pope by Father
Kennedy, the head Of the American
College in Rome The Pope did not
speak English. L was greatly i'm
pressed with the friendly feeling ev-
cry "HCtc eAHlDIlSO 10 the american
people. l don think it was the
friendship of awe. They seemed to
like u.s."
DO you agree with other travellers
that the people are really more the
rulers in England thai in this coun-
try?" he was asked.
Ia Hngland, I think" Mr.. Bryan
said. public opinion prevails more
than in any other place I know ex-
cept perhaps France and Switzerland.
Switzerland is far more democratic
than the United States. Public opip-
ion controls there more quickly than
anywhere 1 KNOW"
Mr.. Bryan said he was going to
Connecticut on Monday and that he
hopes to be able to go to Nebraska
before the end Of the coming week.
Asked IL he favored holding the
Democratic national convention in
New York, Mr.. Bryan w al en-
phade negative answer. He said:
IF yen people have got as much
money as yeu say you have, you can
afford to &c into the centre of the
country You've been Boosting about
your wealth and a afford to spend
a little Of It. i am opposed to any
extreNe point of the country being
taken for the convention"
MI. Bryan would not say where he
would like the convention but sug-
gested somewhere in the centre Cd the
country
Mr.. Bryan would not talk about
platforms. He SAID he knew Of
nothing that should be taken out Of
the last platform and could not say
what sheuld be added. He refused
to discuss the Panam situation, say
ing Le wanted to know more o