Omaha daily bee., 1907-04-27
WarShips from Many Nations Inspected
frsm Deck of MayhOwsr
,vArIoN FOR The CHIEF EXECUTIVE
rri1o from Dock to speakers Stand 4
1rlumpbsl Procession.
EXPOSITION IS FAR IRON COMPLETE
Several Buildings Unhnished aud
Many Exhibits Are Not InstaIled-
weather and Freight Block
ade Delays Work.

NORFOLK. Va. April 2s-The James.
town Tcrcentenaial exposition. a land and
water display such as never was at
tempted n this country or on foreign
shores, was opened today with that pomp
and ceremony which always attends an
event where the president of the United
States is central figure and diplomatic
representatives Of foreign nations. gov
ernors Of states and ike dignitarles are
honored guests and participants.
/ The day OF the inaugural ceremonies
| opened cloudy, but by O'Clock the sun
shone forth and a strong breeze from the
southeast soon drove the cloud banks be-
! yond the horizon, leaving clear sky, The
! breeze sweeping across Hampton Roads
also tempered the heat which had ungs
OF midsummer In It by the time the presi-
dent landed on the exposition grounds.
The unfinished streets were deep in dust,
which made the grass-covered parade from
which the inaugural function was viewed
] by the populace a welcome refuge.
Incident to the opening President Roose-
welt reviewed from the deck of the May
! flower the war vessels anchored In Hamp-
/ ton Roads He reached Discovery Land
| ing, having been transferred In y naval
| launch shortly before noon and amid ap-
plause from the thousands gathered to
voice their welcome, and was received by
the exposition management Then fol-
| lowed the program for opening to the
public the enterprise commemoratlng the
/ 300th anniversary Of the first English set
tlement in America, which program in
/ cluded an address by Harry St.. George
Tucker, president of the exposition and
one by President Roosevelt, singing by the
Ia.-v
pressing OF the gold button by President
Roosevelt which marked THE formal OPEN
ing, and a review by the president Of the
assembled military forces.
At sunrise the ceremonies were begun
by the United States artillery firing a
salute Of 300 guns TO usher in the day.
This was a signal for the trend of hui
manity to railroad trains, street cars and
boat lines. which from that moment poured
people into the grounds.
President Reaches Ground.
A distinguished gathering received the
president and his party at Discovery Land
ing It included President Tucker and all
of the general officers of the exposition,
Rear Admiral P. f. Harrington in charge
of the naval program, and Major General
Fred d. Grant, who arranged the military
attractions. After an exchange of greet
ings, during which the bands played pa
triotic selections, the party proceeded in
carriages to the grand stand. The cheer
ing crowd pressed the outriders and surged
after the line of carriages which took
the most direct route around the main
auditorium building to the scene Of the
inaugural. The procession was a triumphal
one for the president, but II was equaled
later by the welcome given him as he en-
tered the reviewing stand. Bowing to the
right and to the left his acknowledge
ments OF the great public acclaim, spurred
the crowd to renewed efforts. The gather
ing in front Of the grand stand had started
as soon as the choice vantage points had
become occupied at the water front, and
when the ceremonies opened the audience
extended over the parade ground far
beyond the reach OF the speakers voices
The formal program opened with an
overture by the bands. Jamestown Dixie"
which was composed especially for the oc-
cason, followed by a selection by the ex-
position chorus and prayer by the Right
Rev Alfred Magill Randolph, bishop Of
the diocese of southern Virginia.
After the chorus had sung the onhciaI
opening hymn-an appropriate work by
Wilberforce G.. Owst-President Tucker
faced the multitude A spontaneous out
monisl of approval by the people TO the
gigantic work that had been done in cele-
bration Of one OF the most important events
in the history OF the nation, as well as Of
Virginia. Mr.. fuckers address was OF a
historical and chronological character and
at its conclusion he introduced President
Roosevelt
Cheers Delay speech.
Whom the president Of the exposition con-
cluded It was some minutes before Presi-
dent Roosevelt could proceed with his ad-
dress. The people again and again gave
vent TO their enthusiasm. As he pressed
the gold button which formally opened the
exposition It was the signal for the un-
furling Of a thousand or more flags on
the various buildings. At the same time a
signal was givea to he United States and
foreign warships and TO the garrison at
; Fort Monroe and all fired a salute to
, the union When the echoes Of the last
= gun died away all Of the bands on the
exposition grounds played THE Star Span
gled Banner" and the troops saluted the
national anthem BY presenting arms and
all persons present barred heads.
: After this impressive ceremony the prssi-
dent OF the United states. his cabinet.
. members Of the diplomatic corps. commit
D tees from both branches OF congress, gov
ernors OF states and official guests OF the
D exposition we're served luncheon In the
auditorium annex. During the luncheon
! the parade grounds were cleared and the
great crowd sought places around tho
walks 10 witness the military pageant on
the reviewing stand besides the president
Z were members Of his cabinet and other
Official visitors, as well as several hum
d dred especially invited guests.
q While the military feature uaa not I..--.
, It was OF a splendid character. II was
2 commanded by Major General Fred d.
r Grant as grand marshal. who was attended
4 BY his entire stah In addition he had
about a score Of honorary aides. chosen
largely from union and confederate societies
and historical associations. Ia the parade
p in the order named there were detach-
!. ments Of marines and seamen from foreign
a warships. the Twenty-third regiment OF
. United states infantry. a battalion OF
e United States coast artillery. six battalionu