The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-01
OPEN HOUSE.
White House Latch String Out
for Public.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt
Receive Callers.
NEW MINISTER THERE.
Republic of Panama Represent.
ed for First Time.
Absence of CoIombia's Diplo.
matte Agent Noted.

Washington, Jan. president and
Mrs. Roosevelt inaugurated today the
official social season in the nation S
capital with brilliant reception at
the White House. For more than a
hundred years it has been an unbroken
custom of presidents of the United
States to receive on New Years day
all officials OF the government located
in Washington and such citizens as
might care to pay their respects to the
nations chief magistrate. In addition
to citizens of the United States, MEM
bers of the diplomatic corps at Wash
ingtOn embrace the opportunity per-
sonally to extend to the president their
own good wishes and the greetings of
their governments.
The reception of the president on New
ears day is thoroughly democratic.
That of today was notably so. No dis
t1nctions OF race or class were made,
except such as were rendered neces-
sary by a due respect for order
All perSonS-rich or poor, with or
greeting by the president and Mrs.
Roosevelt
The interior of the White House
never was more beautiful than today.
The mansion glittered with electric
lights and floral decorations were dis
posed about the corridors and parlors.
Rare palms. potted plants and exquis-
1te cut flowers were arranged effec-
lively in every available space Great
urnS banked to the edges with dwarf
palms and holly were placed between
the main corridor and the vestibule,
forming a fitting background for the
gorgeous new uniforms of the Marine
band which, go pieces strong, was seat
ed in the vestfbule. The band fur
nished music throughout the reception
under the baton of the conductor,
Lieut.. W. H. Santleman. In the red,
blue and green parlors the predominant
chiefly lilies of the valley, roses and
flaming poinsotta blossoms.
For the children of the President and
Mrs Roosevelt it was a memorable oc-
casion- They were here, there and
everywhere about the mansion, having
always a merry word for their friends
and deep interest in all the arrange
ments..
Eleven o'clock was the hour fixed for
the beginning of the reception For a
half hour before that time carriages
containing members of the diplomatic
corps rolled up to the south entrance of
the White House, the ambassa dors, min
listers and attaches of the embassies and
legations assembling as usual in the
red parlor. All were attired in magnif1-
cent court costumes or had some mill
tary or naval uniforms and with spark
ing epauIets and glistening swords, pre-
sented a gorgeous spectacle. Among
the representatives OF the nations of the
world it was noticed that there was one
absentee. Colombia, one of this coun-
tryS sister republics of the south was
not represented at the reception. In
view of the present relations between
the United States and the government
of Colombia, the absence of "a repre-
sentative of the South American re-
public was noted instantly. Indeed,
among some of the diplomats, 1t was
regarded as significant. General Rafael
Reyes, the minister of Colombia m this
country, on a special mission did not
attend the reception lest, it is under
stood ms presence at the White House
might be misconstrued by his people.
He, therefore, had begged to be ex-
cused. DR.. Herran, the Colombian
charge d'affaires, was detained at his
residence by a bronchial affeetionl
Ioday as a year ago, new republic
was represented for the first time in
the line of diplomats. Last year it was
Cuba; this, the republic of Panama, M.
Bunua-V Varilla being the accredited
representative of the infant state, who
exchanged greetings with the presi-
dent.
At II o'clock a fan fare of trunnpets
announced the opening of the reception
and the approach of the President and
Mrs Roosevelt. President Roosevelt,
escorting Mrs. Roosevelt, descended to
the main staircase and passed to the
Old6 QdI1OI where luG guests were re-
ceived. They were followed by mem
bers of the cabinet and the accom-
panying ladies and members of the i'm
mediate reviewing party.
A notable absentee from the reoaiv-
ing line was Secretary of State HAY.
who is confined toi his home by illness.
Mrs. Hay, however, was in the Jiae.
She remained only a short time, l,Jv-
ing early in order to receive at her
home the members Of the diplomatic
corps, who were guests of the Secre-
tary of State and Mrs. Hay at break
fact.
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 W-
ception facing them behind the lin T.
The two sections of the receiving paF-
ty We're separated by a lane made CT
cordons of twisted velvet touched with
old gold. Those received passed through
this lane into the green room and
thence into the east ROOM The guests
left the mansion by the east terrace.
Both the President and Mrs. Roose-
welt were particularly gracious in the
greetings of their callers. The presi-
dent frequently joked with a friend
fair with evident enjoyment. President
Roosevelt was attired in a, conventions
al frock suit.
The reception proper then began. The
introductiOnS were made by Colonel
Thomas W. Simors. the presidents
military aide. assisted by Commander
C. MGR. Winslow, the presidents naval
aide; Mayor Charles McCawley, Cap
tain ]. W. Glidden, Lieutenant Roscoe
c. Bullmer, Lieutenant G. R. For
tesoue. Lieutenant Clarence o. Sheriff.,
Lieutenant George r. SpaIding and
Lieutenant Sellers.
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 He was
accompanied by his daughter, Coun-
tess Marguerite Cassini, and vas at