The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-09
PRESIDENT OFF FOR PANAMA.
HE AND MRS. ROOSEVELT ABOARD
THE MAYFLOWER.


~ WI " NhO y" "~ ."
the CansI-Root sitting on fhe Lid.
WASHINGTON, Nov. s.-President Roose-
welt is aboard the converted yacht Nayiower
tonight on his way to the ISthmus Of
Panama. The Mayaower. in COMMAND Of
Capt. Long, will reach the mdbth OF the
Potomac early tomorrow moVhing, where
the President and his party win transfer
to the big battleship Louisiana, the largest
vessel of the United Statesi Navy. which
will convey him to the Isthpnus. When he
steps ashore at Colon it viii be the FIRST
instance in the history Sf the republic
where the President Of tSe United States
has put foot upon foreign soil during his
term of Office. The Csnii Zone is held to
be American soil, but occlon is outside the
zone, as is also the city Of Panama. where
the President and Mrs. Roosevelt will for a
few hours be the kuestspf President Amador
OF the Panama Repablic. Besides Mrs.
Roosevelt the only member OF his party
on the trip are Rear Admiral Rixey, Sur
geon-General of the navy, and Assistant
Secretary Latta.
The President spent a busy day at the
White House winding up affairs OF state
before his departure. While he is away
Secretary Loeb will be in charge at the
White House and Secretary o will oc-
cupy the seat -on the lid" usually held by
Secretary Taft Shen the President is away
on an extended trip. Despite the fact
that the President il afioat, he will be in
close COMMUNICATION with affairs at wash
ington. The Louisiana has been fitted
up with the most complete wireless tele-
graph apparatus available. and Lieut..
Evans OF the navy has been assigned TO
special duty in charge OF the Instruments
aboard the vessel. He will communicates
from time TO time with the wireless stations
along the coast, and thus the President will
be kept advised Of the trend of events.
The President was in conference with
Secretary Root up TO the time OF his de-
parture from the White House at $50. At
that hour he and Mrs. Roosevelt entered
their carriage and drove direct to the navy
ward, where the Mayfiower was at the dock
awaiting him. Just before his arrival a
delivery wagon from a local florists drove
down to the wharf and half a dozen large
clusters of roses and other cut flowers were
ia ken aboard the ship to decorate the Presi-
dents cabin. They were gifts to- Mrs.
Roosevelt from her friends.
Capt. Leutse, the C~ommandant Of the
Washington Navy Yard, where the May
flower was moored. together with practically
all the naval officers at the yard, was at the
wkarf- IL. full dress uniform to await the
arrival OF the President and bid him adieu.
The Commandant also had a company OF
marines and a detachment OF jackies drawn
up in line 10 give the President q salute
when he stepped upon the gangplank.
1t was $50 when the Presidents carriage
reached the dock. There was a blare OF
rumpets as he appeared. Alighting from
his carriage he assisted Mrs. Roosevelt out
and then turned to shake hands with the
Commandant and several Of his staff. When
he started across the gangplank the band on
board the ship struck up The Star Spangled
Banner" and the crowd of one hundred or
more persons on shore gay a cheer.
On board the President found awaiting
him to say good by Ambassador and Nine.
Jusserand, Secretary and Mrs. C~ortelyou,
Secretary Loeb and Mrs. Rixey. Capt.
Long greeted him as he set foot upon the
ship. Fifteen mute later the ~gangplank
was pulled in by half a dozen robust jackies
and Capt. Long gave orders for the ship to
move. Slowly the vessel pulled away from
her Loeb and as she did so the President
appeared aft on the main deck and a rousing
cheer was given by the crowd, which he
acknowledged by removing his big black
SLOUGH hat and bowling.
Buster, the brindle bu lldog whose Office
is that of mascot OF the Mayflower, next
to the President was the most conspicuous
figure on the deck. He, too, was in fullI
dress. His uniform consisted of a blanket
made from sailors jeans, with his name
embroidered in gold lace Dor either side,
and a heavy standing collar. likewise in
scribed with his name. He didn't quite
understand all the ceremony and fuss, but
he made a great bluff at knowing and
skipped with delight from jscky to officer
and from officer to the President in the
most unconventional fashion. He made
friends at once with the President.
just as the ship pulled away a man in the
crowd shouted: Good luck, Mr.. President.
and a safe voyage"
Thank you; thank you very much,'
replied the President, h was quick to
catch the farewell greeting. Il am going
down to see now the canal is getting along
he continued as'he waved his hat and bowed.
Don't fall in, Mr.. President" shouted a
husky lunged individual, but his words
Of warning were lost TO the President in
the laundering OF the salute Of twenty-one
guns which was fred as the Mayhower
steamed slowly down the eastern branch
toward the Potomac.
Surgeon-Q General Rixey came near being
left behind. He and Mrs. Rixey were the
first Of the party to arrive at the dock.
just before the vessel started he came on
the boat 70 assist Mrs. Rixey to her car
rage. Apparently Capt. Long did not
observe hat he was ashore and rave the
order to haul in the gangplank. The jackies
started TO do so, and the Surgeon General
was Obliged to bid his wife a hasty good-by
and run for the ship. He got aboard all
right, but it was a mighty close call.
It isexpected that the President will be
back in Washington by November n, thus
making the total time OF his absence nineteen
days OF that, four days will be spent In an
inspection OF the Canal Zone and one day
in a visit to Porto Rico. The rest Of the