The sun., 1905-09-11

Siren anchored of Mount vernon, Wnere
big steam launches we're waiting to take
tho party ashore. Col. John M. biddle,
United States Army Engineer, Commis-
sioner of the District Of Columbia, greeted
the ENJOYS at Mount Vernon.
The Washington estate is closed to visi-
tors on Sunday, and 1t took some telegraph
ing to get the necessary permission from
the BOARD Of Lady Regents. II was given
cheerfully and Assistant Supt. Young
was at hand to show the visitors over the
estate. The first stop was at the tomb
where the remains OF Washington and hia
wife are inferred Mr.. Witte, with DR..
Dillon, asked many questions. showing
deep interest in the Washington family.
One thing he wanted to know particularly
was whether the living members OF the
family were not given rank over the people
IN this country
"Not at ALL" WAS the response. ~They
are merely American citizens like the rest
Of U.s."
1They do not need high rank, said Mr..
Witte. 1T is enough distinction to nave
been related to such a man."
The old colonial mansion where the
Father Of this Country spent his later years
Interested Mr.. Witte intensely. He went
over it thoroughly, asking many questions,
inspecting the rooms and furniture. and
occasionally showing keen delight In
some of the relics Of bygone days with
which the house Is filed. Then he and
Baron Roeen signed their names in the
visitors book and went out TO plant tree.
On the way through the grounds Mr. Witte
encountered an old black nanny holding
L,l Ia Tod N Opt
on the head, played with his hands, and
said some words in Russian which the
baby did not appear to understand.
The tree planting was very impromptu,
or at least 1t appeared to be. tree planted
by Lafayette was shown to Mr.. Witte, and
he asked a good many questions about
that and other trees which great men had
put in the ground at Mount Vernon.
When it was suggested that he might
plant peace tree he readily consented.
The hole had been dug and a sapling was
ready by the time the inspection Of the
house was over. The site was the brow
of hill overlooking the Potomac and only
a few feet from the tomb in which the re-
mains Of Gen. Washington and his wife
were originally placed. Mr.. Witte wanted
to know all about the tree, and was told
that 1t was an ash. of which variety great
many grew on the estate. He did not
conflne his filling-in operations to shovel
full or two, but went to work with will
and did not stop until the hole was three
quarters full of dirt. Then ne handed the
shovel to Baron Rosen.
"Oh no." said the Baron, 'it is your tree.
But Mr.. Witte insisted, and his colleague
completed the job.
The return trip TO Washington was made
in special car over trolley line through
the old Virginia town of Alexandria. There
was a good sized crowd at the Washington
station, mostly people waiting for trains.
Nearly all the men In the gathering lifted
their hats to the big Russian, and he as
silently responded. Automobiles were at
hand and entering these the visitors were
whirled through the city to Rock Creek
Park. 1t was terrific going for while
and the local speed regulations we're knocked
into smithereens. But nobody interfered
and the trip was made in record time from
one end of the park to the other and back
through Washington to the Pennsylvania
station, where two or three hundred people
were waiting to see the Russians depart.
Washington crowds seldom grow en.
thusiastic, but this one did some hand
clapping, to which Mr.. Witte and Baron
Rosen responded by raising their hats.
Mr.. Loomis and the others who had escorted
the ENJOYS during the day said goodby
to the Russians who were profuaive In their
thanks for the courtesies shown them.
The train pulled out Of the station for New
York at SIS o'clock. Tho Russians win 60
to West Point tomorrow, their last day IN
America.
Several Secret Service men accompanied
Mr.. Witte and Haron Rosen from New York
to Washington, stuck close to them all day
and returned with them to New York to-
night.
Mr.. Witte, Baron Rosen and the seven
members Of their suite who accompanied
them to Washington returned from that
city last night. They arrived at Jersey City
at II 10 in the private car Iolanthe attached
to the Federal Express and were driven
direct to the st. Regis.
Baron Rosen had telegraphed DR.. Peter
j. Gibbons OF 6s East Thirty-fourth street
to meet him at the St Regis on his arrival
The Baron was suffering aoutely from
rheumatism in his right shoulder. The
disease followed a slight cold contracted