Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-05-02
The Ter-csntsnnial Exposition Al
jamestown Formally Opened
to the Public.
4 THREE CENTURY SALUTE
President Roosevelt and the Naval
Display Of Warshlps Was Really
About oil That Was to
Be Seen.

the column OF war vessels Frtda
morning almost an hour before tn
usual call for quarters Is sounde
aboard q man-of-war. As the May
flower approached with rainbow
flags aflutter, the American flagshi
doomed out the first guns Of tn
presidential salute. In a flash tn
other American ships and the foreig
vessels had manned their cannon an
Q roar Of 81 guns fired from each yes
eel Of the fleet sounded almos
simultaneously.
The Mayflower pointed her way Vi
the roads toward Norfolk, passing
along the outer line Of foreign ships
CLOSE aboard" As she cleared tn,
first Of these, the visiting vesse
opened fire with new series o.
salutes repeated in turn by every bot.
tleship and cruiser Of the big fleet.
Leaving the British ships astern the
Mayflower was greeted with the boom
ing cannon of the German squadron
and President Roosevelt was treated
10 a genuine surprise. The Room and
the Bremen came into American
waters wearing the dark gray coats
Of the German squadrons. As mark
Of respect to the American ships, both
cruisers appeared Friday in brand
new coats Of white paint as spick and
span as the United States vessels
themselves. The Room fired the first
Of her 81 guns in honor Of the presi-
dent Just as the echoes Of the Good
Hopes saluting cannon had died away.
The foreign flag and commanding
officers were received on board from
$3.50 to 10 o'clock and they and the
flag officers Of the Atlantic fleet
then proceeded to the landing at the
exposition grounds. The president in
q small launch which danced and bob
bed over the waves, followed them IN
a few minutes, his boat being guarded
off either bow by two launches espec-
tally assigned for the honor and
service by Admiral Evans.
President Roosevelt, the diplomatic,
naval and military representatives Of
foreign nations and the governors Of
q score Of states participated Friday
In the opening exercises Of the James
town ter-centennial exposition. The
exposition Is far from complete, but
this was not allowed TO interfere in
any way with Fridays celebration OF
he three hundredth anniversary of
he first English settlement In Amer
ca. From the firing OF a sunrise sa-
ute Of 300 guns by the United States
lrmy, through the picturesque review
" the international fleet of war yes
'els anchored in Hampton Roads,
through the ceremonies OF dedication |
It which the president spoke and
Town to a late hour Friday night |
when the chief executive went aboard
he naval yacht Slyph to spend the
light, the day was crowded with not
Ible incidents. Notable among the
lays, events was the action Of the
resident in assuming command Of tn
ituation in front Of the crowded grand
tand from which he spoke when a
anic seized fthe surging throng Of
pectators.
Apparently oblivious to the unusual
osition he occupiedSon the top Of a
omewhat shaky table, President
Roosevelt made his speech. The i'm
romptu and unsteady platform did
OF interfere in the slightest degree
nth the characteristic vigor of his
elivery. Some of his remarks no.
Iceably when he touched upon the
ubject Of the recent peace congress
1 New York-were addressed to the
of the many nations Of
he world; others we're emphasized to
be soldiers and sailors who took
uch q conspicuous part in the days
rogramme and other thoughts were
rected toward the general public.
The military encamped about the
Iposition grounds began the days
ceremonies with the firing Of the
Iree century salute. Soon from
ross the waters Of Hampton Roads
Ime the boom Of guns signalling the
sginning Of the review by the presi-
INT Of the most formidable fleet Of
tenational battleshops and cruisers
e world has witnessed in many
'ars.
The president landed at the exposl.
On grounds shortly after II a. m.
he immense government piers under.
ling construction are still many
eeks from completion and It was
It'll some difficulty that a way was
cared for even the light launches IN
hich the presidcsf and the naval of.
,ers Of the various squadrons maze
e journey to shore. Booming can
N again greeted the president as he
spped upon the tmporary structure
iich is eventually to be a magnih-,
Mt water gate known as Discovery
Indng. President Tucker Of the e1-
sltion personally welcomed Mr.
,osevelt who with Mrs. Roosevelt
IS driven to the grandstand on the
rade between two lines Of soldiers
IN the 2srd United States infantry.
The lnfantrymen, IN open die. GOV.
d the entire course Of TIE presi.