Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-22
GOVERNOR EXTENDS WELCOME
President Delivers Several Short
Speeches to Islanders

SAN JUAN, =. r., Nov. 2t.--Presi-
| dent Roosevelt arrived here this morn.
ing from Colon on board the battleshiI
Louisiana. He was visited on boarc
the vessel by Governor Winthrop, who
extended a welcome to the island. The
president at once came ashore and was
greeted at the pier by Mayor Open
heimer of Ponce and delegation OF
prominent officials and citizens.
The town, which was profusely deco.
rated in the presidents honor, was
crowded with people from the surround
ing country eager to greet Mr.. Roose-
welt.
In spite of the early hour the land
ing place was crowded with an expect
ant throng, many of whom had been ir
| their places all night to witness the
incoming of the Louisiana. AS the
president stepped ashore the crowd
cheered him, crying Viva Ell Presi-
dente."
When the greetings were over the
president, accompanied by Governor
Winthrop, was driven to the city hall,
Mrs. Winthrop and Mrs. Roosevelt fol-
| lowing. The president was kept busy
| acknowledging cheers all along the
two-mile line of march from the land
ing place to the principal plaza of the
town. AT the entrance to the plaza a
huge arch had been erected from which
little girls threw flowers to both Presi-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt as they passed.
At the city hall an address ofIwel-
come was read to the president He
delivered his reply from the balcony of
the building, addressing the largest
crowd that had ever assembled in
Ponce. The president spoke in part as
follows:
Promises to Aid Citizens
"I shall continue to use every effort
to secure citizenship for Porto Rico.
am confident this will come in the end
and all that ] can personally do to
hasten that day 1 will do. My efforts
will be unceasing to help you along the
path of true self-government, which
must have for it's basis a union of or
der, liberty, justice and honor"
In conclusion the president said:
81 salute you from my heart as fell
low citizens
The reference to citizenship brought
out enthusiastic applause 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
in April, 1903, by the presidents daugh-
ter, now Mrs. Longworth. The presi-
dent was greatly pleased with his re-
ception at the school and made short
address.
The presidential party left Ponce at
1890, the time set by the schedule for
the run to San Juan over the famous
military roads.
Stops of three minutes each We're
made at Juan Adiaz, Cocomo and All
bonito At each place the president
was welcomed by the mayor and spoke
briefly from his automobile. the presi-
Dental party arriving at Cayea at
1O:3O a. M, where lunch was served in
the barracks, officers of the Porto
Rico provisional regiment, Maj. Grif-
fifth commanding, being the hosts.
President Roosevelt received a re-
markable reception at Caguas, the
most important town on the railroad.
Here he spoke at length, reiterating
his views on Porto Rico citizenship.
Rassing through the Caguas and the
Cayey tobacco district, where Ameri-
can capital has worked a wonderful
development, the president was great
ly impressed with the fertility and
fiourishing conditions of the planta
tions.
Many Pay Tribute
At Caguas Mrs. Roosevelt was show
cred with flowers and received many
presents. Between towns along the
military road scattering crowds eager
ly awaited the chance of a fleeting
glimpse of the president. People from
the outlying plantations, some on
foot from the mountain districts, miles
away, poems, women, children, beg
gars and cripples, all came to pay
tribute.
Many of the occupants of shacks,
who were too poor to own even flag,
showed their patriotism by loudly
cheering the president whom they
seemed to recognize quickly. At Rio
Pedras, the last town before reaching
San Juan. p r., President Roosevelt
received an enthusiastic reception from
the children and teachers of the Porto
Rico school. To them he spoke face
tiously about college life and outdoor
sports From Rio Pedras to San Turco,
a distance of seven miles along both
sides of the roadway were immense
crowds which cheered the president
Through San Turco suburb of San
Juan, where there is a large American
colony, the balconies and roofs of
houses and the sides of the road We're
crowded with enthusiastic crowds. The
president was kept busy acknowledging
the greetings of the Americans.
Arriving at the entrance to the city
of San Juan, where formerly stood the
old city hall and gate. huge arch
had been erected by the city, and here
Mayor Todd aud the city officials eX-
tended their welcome to the president.
He responded in brief speech and
was then escorted by the Porto Rican
provisional regiment to the governor
palace. The city was decorated, ev-
cry American flag available being used
to the best advantage. The scene In
Fort Eleza street was especially at
tractive. The street. which is narrow,
was congested with an enormous
crowd as likewise was the house tops,
balconies, windows and every point of
vantage. President Roosevelt was in
a happy mood and bowed and waved
his hands TO the cheering throngs.
He received a particularly warm re-