Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-11-22
And Go Wild Over His Reference to
Their United States Citizenship.
President Inspecting the |sIand---Wi|I Probably
Reach Home Early Next Week.

Ponce, Porto Rico, Nov. 21-Presi-
dent Roosevelt arrived here at $50 this
morning from Colon on board the bat
tleship Louisiana. He was greeted on
board the vessel by Governor Winthrop,
who extended the President a welcome
to the island. The President came
ashore and was greeted at the pier by
Mayor Oppenheimer of Ponce. and q
delegation of prominent officials and
citizens. The town, which was pro-
fusely decorated in the Presidents
honor. was crowded with people from
the surrounding country eager to greet
Mr.. Roosevelt.
The President expressed his pleas
ure in arriving here, and said he an
ticipated an enjoyable visit in Porto
Rico. In spite of the early hour the
landing place was crowded with an eX-
pectant throng. many of whom had
been in their places all night, to wit
ness the incoming of the Louisiana. AS
the President stepped ashore the crowd
cheered him crying: "Nira el Prcsi-
dente." The President responded to
the crowd in bowling. and he showed
interest in the surroundings and re-
|ception.
When the greetings were over the
President. accompanied by Gov. VIM
throp, was driven to the City hall in
an automobile. Mrs. Winthrop and
Mrs. Roosevelt followed in another ma
chine.
The President was kept busy ac-
knoWledging cheers all along the 2-mile
line of march from the landing place
TO the principal plaza of the town At
the entrance to the Plaza a huge arch
mad been erected from which little girls
threw flowers to both the President and
Mrs. Roosevelt as they passed. Ponce
was iii gala attire. the American col
ors being entwincd with SPANS flags.
At City hall an address of welcome
was read to the President. He deliv-
cred his reply from the balcony Of the
building. addressing the largest crowd
that had ever assembled in Ponce. The
President said in part:
Il shall continue to use every effort
to secure citizenship for Porto Rico. 7
am confident this will come in the end
and all that | can possibly do to hast
en- that day, l will do My efforts will
be unceasing to help you along the path
OF true self-government. which must
nave for its basis a union of order. lib
erty, justice and honor.
In conclusion the President said: 81
salute you from my heart as fellow
citizens"
The reference to the citizenship of
the island brought out enthusiastic an
plause from the people
Before leaving Ponce the President
was driven to the Roosevelt High
schooi. Several hundred school chill
dren had been assembled ana sang
America as the President drove IN
The corner stone of this school was
laid in April, 1903, by the Presidents
daughter, now Mrs. Longworth. Tho
president was greatly pleased with his
reception at the school and made y
snort address. He was showered with
flowers by the children as he drove
away. Mrs. Roosevelt was presented
with beautiful piece of embro;derod
work, the handwork of the girls of the
industrial school, before she left tho
city. Is
The Presidential party left Ponce At
1880. the time set by the schedule for
the run to San Juan over the famous
miiitary road. 1t took II automobiles
10 convey the entire party. Lawrence
n. Graham, commissioner of the in
terror. is in charge of the trip and the
arrangements worked out perfectly
The Presidential party arrived at
Cayey at 1.3O this afternoon.
Luncheon was served at 100 this af-
ternoon at Cayey by the officers Of the
Forto Rlco provisional regiment, of
which Major Griffith is the command
ing officer. He received a remarkable
reception at Caguas the most inport-
ant town on the military road. Here he
spoke at length. repeating his previous
ly expressed view as to Porto Rico cit
izenship.
Passing through the Caguas and tho
Cayey tobacco district where Ameri-
can capital has worked wonderful de-
velo7ment. the President was greatly
impressed with the fertility and Hour-
ishing condition Of the plantations. AT
Caguas Mrs. Roosevelt was showered
with flowers and received many nras-
ents.
Between towns along the military
road scattering crowds eagerly await
ca 'he chahce Of sleet glimpse Of the
Precedent. They came from the unity.