The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-22
PRESIDENT
HURR|ES OVER
PORTO RICO

Ponce. II. r.. Nov. 22.-The battleship
Louisiana, with President Roosevelt and
his party on board. arrived here a 10 min
utes Of 9 yesterday morning. The city
was crowded with visitors from the coun-
try. all eager 10 sec the chief executive,
and never I'm the history OF the island
have such throngs been assembled in
honor of an official guest.
The crowds from the country began TO
pour into town early and thousands, un-
able to find sleeping quarters. spent the
night I'm the open air. This. however. did
not appear to dampen the enthusiasm.
The president was greeted on board the
battleship by Gov. Winthrop. who ex-
tended a welcome TO the island. The
president at once came ashore and was
greeted al the pier by Mayor Open
heimer Of Ponce and a delegation OF
prominent officials and citizens. The
president expressed his pleasure In arriv-
ing here and said he anticipated an en-
Joyablc visit I'm Porto Rico.
At tho city hall an address OF welcome
was read TO the president. He delivered
his reply from the balcony OF the build
ing addressing the largest crowd that
had ever assembled I'm Ponce. The pres
ident said I'm part
II shall continue to use every effort 10
secure citizenship for Porto Rico. 1 am
confident this will come i'm the end. and
all that can personally do 10 hasten that
day ! will do My efforts Will be unceas-
ing 10 help YOU along the path OF true
self government. which must have for it's
basis n union OF order. liberty, justice and
honor"
In conclusion. the president said: 81
salute you from my heart as fellow citi-
zens."
The reference 10 the citizenship OF the
islanders brought out enthusiastic APP
plause from the people
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 i'm April. 1903, by the
presidents daughter. now Mrs. Long
worth.
The presidential party left Ponce at
half past 10, the time set by the schedule
for the run TO San Juan over the famous
military road. Eleven automobiles were
required 10 convey the entire party. Law
renee III. Grahame, commissioner of the
interior. was i'm charge OF the trip, 10
tho arrangements worked out perfectly.
Stops OF three minutes each were made
at Juana. Diaz. Coamo and Aibonlto. Al
each place the president was welcomed by
the local mayor, and spoke briefly from
his automobile. His remarks Were prac-
tically the same as the speech In Ponce.
Along the route banners were extended
bearing inscriptions reading: The whole
country asks for government. We
want TO be American citizens In Juana,
Diaz. Coamo and AibOnito the demonstra-
tions were similar te those in Ponce, but.
of course. on a smaller scale. Every
where the whole population turned out to
see the president.
Cayey was reached at 80 p. m. Here
the party had luncheon in the barracks.
being informally entertained by Maj.
Griffith, commanding the post. The Jour
ney was continued al 2:l5. Mr.. Roose-
Welt expressed himself astonished by
the wonderful development OF the coun-
try. which has been converted into an i'm
mense tobacco plantation.
At Caguas the principal town on the
military road, the reception equalled that
a Ponce.
At Rio Piedras and other towns he was
heartily received and he spoke so often
that the party got behind their schedule
time.
San Juan fairly outdid itself In the re-
ception IL gave the president