Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-03
THOUSANDS GREET
THE PRESIDENT
BRILLIANT RECEPTION HELD
AT WHITE HOUSE
New Years Function at the Executive
Mansion Marks Opening Of
the Social Season at
Washington
Rr As.nolnted prenn

BY Associated Press
WASHINGTON, Jan 2.--Oficial and
resident Washington this morning ex-
tended New Years greetings to the
president and Mrs. Roosevelt at the
White House. The event, brilliant and
attractive as the New Years receptions
always are, marked the formal open
ing OF the social season of 1905. The
reception was characterized by true
democracy The portals Of the White
House swung wide for all the world
All were welcomed to the historic
mansion and Afforded the opportunity
personally to greet both the president
and Mrs. Roosevelt. Thousands em-
braced the opportunity. The floral dec
orations, while not elaborate, were
more profuse than have characterized
recent White House receptions.
The beginning of the reception was
announced by a flourish sounded by
trumpeters of the Marine band sta
toned near the foot of the main stair
case. The fanfare signalized the ap-
proach Of the president Preceded by
his military aide, Colonel Charles
Bron1well, and his naval aide, Com
nander Cameron MGR. Winslow, Presi
dent Roosevelt, escorting Mrs. Roose-
welt, descended the stairs, followed by
the members of the cabinet and their
ladies'. constituting the immediate re-
ceiving party. The distinguished party
crossed the corridor and entered the
blue parlor, where the president and
Mrs. Roosevelt received their guests.
When the president and Mrs. Roosevelt
had greeted formally the members of
the cabinet, among whom were Secre-
tary Taft, Secretary Morton, Secretary
Metcalf and Postmaster General
wynne, who were participants for the
first time in new years reception as
cordial greetings to others in the room
who had assembled to assist them.
Both the president and Mrs. Roose-
velt were in excellent spirits and
Joined animatedly in conversation with
their guests.
President Closely Guarded
The receiving party was arranged in
the arc of circle in the south end of
the blue parlor facing the party behind
the line. Between the two sec
tions was a lane formed by an
old gold silk velvet cord, through
which the guests passed from the red
parlor to the green parlor. Near the
entrance to the red room the president
and Mrs. Roosevelt stood. Directly in
front of them stood a secret service
officer who closely scrutinized every
person who passed the line. Every pre-
caution was taken throughout the
dent and others, an extra detail of po-
lice, besides several secret service Off
GERS, being on duty. Nobody was per-
mitted to carry handkerchiefts or muf-
fiers in his hands and nobody was per-
mitted to pass along the line with
hands in his pockets.
Introductions were made to the presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt by Colonel
Charles w. Bromwel.. Besides Com
mander Winslow, other aides in line
were Lieut.. Daniel T. Moore, Lieut.. G.
r. Fortescue, Lieut.. r. G. Bulmer,
Lieut. H. R Lay, Lieut.. U. S. Grant
and Ensign B. A. Long. All were in
full dress uniform.
Just before IL o'clock the members OF
the diplomatic corps began to as
sovr,Io1a In tho sfata dining room In
all the representatives of thirty-eight
foreign countries assembled, all at
tired in full court dress.
For the second time, as head of the
diplomatic corps, Count Cassini, the
ambassador of Russia. was the first
greeting to the president, and with
Countess Cassini. his daughter, and his
official staff. to lead the corps, Baron
Stanislaus Hengelmuller, the ambas-
sador of Austria Hungary; the Mexi-
can ambassador, Senior Don Manuel de
Aspiroz. and the Italian ambassador.
Mayor Des Planches. with their staffs.
followed. M. Jusserand, the ambassa-
dor Of France, followed. and the greet
ing he received from the president was
notably cordial. Sir Mortimer Durand,
the British ambassador, was notable
figure. Standing several inches over
six feet, his height was accentuated
by the long coat of his uniform.
1t was no new experience for Min
lister Grip. of Sweden and Norway. to
head the line of ministers. He has held
the position at every New Years re-