Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-11-26
HEARTS
OF PORTO R|CANS
PRESIDENT SAYS HE WILL
STRIVE FOR CITIZENSHIP.
GREETED WITH APPROVAL
Islanders Heartily Welcome Promise
of More Genuine Entrance into
United States-ExecutiVe Crosses
the New Possession in an Auto
mobile.

San Juan, Porto Rico, Nov. 22.-The
reception accorded President Roose-
welt yesterday was most enthusiastic
After the greetings at the docks, the
party proceeded to the principal
plaza of Ponce. All along the two
mile line of march the president was
kept busy acknowledging cheers of
the people. At the entrance to the
plaza a huge arch had been erected
from which little girls threw flowers
to both President and Mrs. Roose-
welt as they passed.
Ponce was in gala attire, American
colors being interspersed with Span
ish flags. At the city hall the ad-
dress of welcome was read to the
president He delivered his reply
from the balcony of the building, adj
dressing the largest crowd ever as
sembled in Ponce The president
said in part;
Il shall continue to use every eff
fort to secure citizenship for Porto
Rico. I am confident that this will
come in the end and all that l can
personally do to hasten that day I
will do. My efforts will be unceas-
ing to help you along the path of true
self government, which must have for
its basis the union Of order, liberty,
justice and honor"
The reference to citizenship brought
out enthusiastic applause.
Before leaving Ponce the president
was driven to the Roosevelt high
school. Here several hundred school
children had been assembled and
sang America as the president drove
up. The cornerstone of this school
was laid in April, 1903, by the presi-
dents daughter, now Mrs. Long
worth The president was greatly
pleased with his reception at the
school, and made a short address.
He was showered with flowers by the
children as he drove away. Mrs.
Roosevelt was presented with beau
tiful piece of embroidered work, the
handwork of girls of the Industrial
school, before she left the city,
The presidential party left Ponce
| at 1920 for a run to San Juan over
the famous military road.
Stops of three minutes each were
made at Jnana Diaz, Coamo and Albion
ito. At each place the president was
welcomed by the mayor and spoke
briefly from his automobile. The
presidential party arrived at Cayey
at 100 p. M
President Roosevelt received a re-
markable reception at Caguas, the
road. Here he spoke at length, reit-
Grating his views on Porto Rican citi,
2enship. At Caguas, Mrs. Roosevelt
was showered with flowers and re-
ceiyed many presents. Between the
towns along the military road scatter
ing crowds eagerly awaited a chance
of a f1eeting glimpse of the president.
People from outlying plantations,
some on foot from the mountain dis
tricts miles away: poems, women,
children, beggars ard cripples, all came
to pay tribute. Many of the occu-
pants of shacks showed their patriot
ism by cheering the president
Arriving at the original entrance
to the city Of San Juan, where former
ly stood the old city hall and gate,
huge arch mad been erected by The
city and here Mayor Todd and the
city officials extended a welcome to
the president fIe responded in
brief speech and was escorted by the
Porto Rican provisional regiment to
the governors palace.