The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-02
Open Swing the White
House Doors.
ALL THE WORLD THERE
Thirty-five Countries Represented. Co.
Iombia Not Among Them. Six
Thousand, Seven Hundred
and Eleven People are
Received.
Received.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington. Jan. president and Mrs.
Roosevelt inaugurated today the olclal
season in the Nations Capital with a bril-
liant reception at the White House. The
interior of the White House never was
more beautiful than today. The mansion
glowed with electric lights and oral deco
rations were disposed about the corridors
and parlors. Rare palms, potteI plants
and exquisite cut flowers were arranged
effectively in every available space. Great
rectangular urns. banked to the edges
with dwarf palms and holly. were placed
between the main corridor and the vesti-
bue forming a fitting 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
the beginning of the reception. For an
hour before that time carriages contain
ing members of the diplomatic corps roll
cd up to the southern entrance of the
White House Among them representa-
tives of the nations of the world it was
noticed that there was one absentee.
Colombia, one of this countrys sister re-
public to the South, was not represented
at the reception. General Rafael Reyes,
the Minister of Colombia in this country
on a special mission. did not attend the
reception lest. it is understood, his pres
ence at the White House might be- mis-
construed by his people. He, therefore,
had begged to be excused DIR. Herran,
the Colombian Charge D'Affairesj was de-
tanned at his residence by a bronchial
affection.
Today as a year ago. a new Republic
was represented for the first time in the
line of diplomats. Last year it was Cuba.
this. the Republic Of Panama. NJ. Bdnau
Varilla being the accredited minister of
the infant State, who exchanged greet
ings with the President.
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, escortlng
Mrs. Roosevelt, descended the man stair
case and passed to the Blue Parlor. where
the guests were received. The members
of the receiving party wre arranged Ia the
arc of a circle in the bow window Of the
Blue Room. the guests invited to assist
in the reception facing them behind the
line Both the President and Mrs. Roose-
welt were particularly gracious in the
greeting of their callers. The President
frequently ioked with a friend and Mrs.
Roosevelt entered into the affair with evi-
dent enjoyment. President Roosevelt was
attired in a conventional frock suit
First to be received were the members
of the diplomatic corps. All the ambas-
coz noIrictprc MI
by their entire suites. AS dean OF the
corps, Count Cassini. the Russian Ambas-
sador and Master Of the Imperial Court.
occupied the position of honor at the head
of the line. NJ. Jusserand. Baron Stern
berg and Sir Henry Durand made their
first New Years calls at the White House
as Ambassadors. In all thirty-five coun-
tries of the world were represented at
the reception.
Following the diplomatic corps, the
members of the United States Supreme
Court headed by Chief Justice Fuller,
were received. The reception of members
of Congress began at 1880 o'clock. Com
paratively few were in attendance, as
many of the Senators and Representa-
tives have not returned.
Resplendent in full dress uniforms, the
military contingent followed the Congress
men. This line was made up of officers,
active and retired, of the army, navy and
marine corps and the District of Colum-
bia National Guard. For the first time at
a reception, the army was led by officers
of the general staff. Lieutenant General
Young, who last year as Major General
an din the absence of General Miles, who
was on a tour of duty in the Far East,
was the senior officer in Washington, led
the line. today again occupied that posi-
tion, 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 officials OF
the navy, headed by Admiral Dewey, who
was absent from Washington last New
Years day, conducting the winter ma
noeuvers of the navy in the caribbean.
The officers of the Marine Corps followed
the navy. Following the military was
the civilian contingent of the govern
ment service and members of various pa
triotic orders.
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 vestibule and
main corridor, through the Red Room to
the Blue Room, where the guests of the
President and Mrs. Roosevelt were re-
ceived.
Special precautions were taken to in
sure the personal safety of the President