The Washington herald., 1906-11-09


converted yacht Mayfiower on his way
70 the Isthmus Of Panama. The May
flower. in command Of Capt Long, viii
reach the mouth of the Potomac early
this morning. where the President and
his party will transfer 10 the big battle
ship louisiana. the largest vessel OF the
United states navy. which viii convey
him to the Isthmus
When he steps ashore at Colon il will
be the first instance in the history of
the republic where the President Of the
United States has put foot upon foreign
soil during his incumbTance Of Office.
The Canal Zone is held 10 be American
soil, but Colon is outside the Zone, as is
also the city Of Panama, where the PTesi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt will for a few
hours be the guests OF President Amador.
Of the Panama republic.
Besides Mrs Roosevelt. the only mem
bers Of his party on the trip are Rear
Admiral Rixey, Surgeon General Of the
navy and Assistant Secretary Latta
The President spent busy day at the
White House winding up affairs Of state
before his departure. While he is away,
Secretary Loeb viii be in charge at the
White House, and Secretary Root viii
occupy the seat "on the lid" usually
held by Secretary Taft when the Presi-
dent is away on an extended trip
To Keep In Communication.
Despite the fact that the President IS
aloat, be viii be in close communication
with affairs at Washington. The Louis
lana has been htted up with the most
complete wireless apparatus available. q,
Lieut.. Evans. of the navy, has been
signed to special duty IN charge Of IN.
instrument aboard the vessel. He v
communicate 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 70 the time OF his de- |
parture from the White House al $50 I
At that hour he and Mrs. Roosevelt en- |
tered their carriage and drove direct TO I
the navy srd. wner4-t.le~ Mayfi0Wer was /
in dock awaiting him.
Just before his arrival. delivery wagon /
from "a local florists drove down to the /
wharf, and half dozen large clusters |
of roses and other cut flowers were |
taken aboard the Mayliover and placed |
in the Presidents cabin. They We're gifts
TO Mrs. Roosevelt from her friends. Capt.
Leutze. the commandant of the Washing
ton Navy Yard. where the Mayhower was
dOcked, together with practically all the
naval officers at the yard. were at the
wharf in fun 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 20 give the President
q salute when he stepped upon the gang
plank.
TrumPets Announce Arrival.
It was 800 when the Presidents car
riage reached the dock. There was a |
blare of trumpets as he appeared. AHght- !
ing 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
gang plank the band on board the ship /
struck UP. The Star Spangled Banner.
and the crowd Of 100 or more persons on !
shore gave a cheer.
On board, the President found awaiting |
him 10 say good-by Ambassador and |
Nine Jusserand. Secretary and Mrs Cor /
telyou, Secretary Loeb, and Mrs. Rixey. /
Capt Long greeted him as he set foot |
upon the ship. Fifteen minutes later the /
gang plank was pulled IN by a half dozen /
robust jackies, and two minutes later /
Capt Long gave orders for the ship TO |
move
Slowly the vessel pulled away from her |
dock, and as she did so the President ap- |
peared aft on the main deck and was
given a rousing cheer by the crowd |
which he Acknowledged by removing his |
big black slouch hat and bowing.
Buster. the brindle bulldog whose I
office IS that Of mascot of the Mayfiower /
next 10 the President was the most con-
spicuous figure upon the deck. He. too. I
was IN full dress. His uniform consisted !
Of a blanket made from sailors leans /
with his name embroidered in gold lace 4
upon either side, and heavy standing /
collar, likewise inscribed with his name /
Makes Friends with President.
He didn't quite understand all the cere-
mony and fuss. but he made a great /
bluff at knowing, and skipped with de- /
light from jackie TO officer and from Of I
fcer to President in the most unconven-
uonal 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, who was quick To /
NetSti Nile ietltWel greeting Il am going |
down 10 see how the canal is getting /
along he continued. rs he waved his hat /
and bowed.
Don't fall In, Mr. President" shouted
husky-lunsed individual but his words
of warning were lost to the President i'm
the numbering Of the salute OF twenty /
one guns which was fired as the Nav
flower steamed slowly down the Eastern
Branch toward the Potomac
Surgeon General EIZey came near being
left behind. He and Mrs Rixey were the
first of the party 10 arrive az tle dock
just before The vessel started he came off
the boat 20 assist Ars Rixey 10 her car
riage. Apparently Capt. Long did not OBJ
serve that he was ashore and gave the or
der TO haul I'm the gangplank. The jackies
started 10 do so. and the surgeon general
was Obliged 10 bid his wife a hasty good
by and run for the ship. He got aboard
all right, but IL was mighty close call
The Presidents last day in Washington
was devoted strictly 10 official business
There were fewer callers than usual. Only
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