Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-04-26
VAST CROWD ATTENDS.
Long Heralded Address of Chief
Z Executive Deals Only insSs
GeneraiitieS.

Norfolk, Va, April 26.-The James
town ter-centennial exposition land ana
water display, such as never has been
attempted in this country or on foreign
shores, opened today with that pomp
and ceremony which always attends an
event where the president of the United
States is the central figure and diplo-
matte representatives of foreign ma
tons, governors Of state, and like dig
nitaries are guests or participants.
Reviewed the Fleet.
Incident to the opening, President
Roosevelt reviewed from the deck of the
Mayiiower the war vessels anchored III
Hampton Roads. He reached Discov-
cry Landing, having been transferred
in a naval launch from his yacht, short
ly before noon amid applause from the
thousands gathered to voice their wei
come. lie was received by the eXposi-
tiOn management
Program Follows.
Then followed the program of the
opening to the public of the enterprise
commemorative the 300th anniversary
Of the first English settlement in Amer
ica which program included an address
by Harry St. George Tucker, president
of the exposition, one by President
Roosevelt singing by the exposition
chorus of 700 trained voices. the press
ing of a gold button by President Roose-
welt, which marked the formal opening
and "a review by the president of the
assembled military forces.
At sunrise the ceremonies were be-
gun by the United States artillery firing
salute of 300 guns to usher in the
day.
Received at Landing.
The distinguished gathering received
the president and party at Discovery
Landing. 1t included President Tucker
and all the general officers Of the expo
sition, Rear Admiarl Harrington -
charge of the naval program and Major
General Fred D. Grant. who arrange
the military attractions. After an eV-
change of greetings the party pro-
ceeded in carriages to the graul
stand
The cheering crowd surged after the
line of carriages which took the most
direct route around the main auditor
ium building to the scene of the in.
augural.
TriumphnI for President.
The procession was 4 triumphal one
for the president. but it was equalej
later by the welcome given him as he
entered the reviewing stand bowing to
right and left his acknowledgements os
the great public acclaim. The gather
ing in front of the grand stand had
started early and soon the choice van
tagc points had become occupied
When the ceremonies opened the au.,.
iencc extended over the parade ground
far beyond the reach of the speaker
voice.
Had - Vessels in Line.
In the naval pageant the United
States had So ships representing almost
every type of vessel known TO tbs
navy, while the foreign fighting craft
numbered u. All the vessels of tn,
combined fleets were dressed in flut
tering flags of nations and brilliant
hued pennants and bits of bunting. TIL,
foreign vessels were given positions o
honor in the line stretching near anC
parallel to the shores of the exposition
grounds.
COIOrs Matched Well.
The dark drap colOred squadron
sent by Great Britain. Austria, Gel
many and Argentine Republic lOome'
in deep shaded relief against the dis
tant background. The American yes
sells with their glistening white sides
lent a harmonious setting to the man,
hued flags floating from the masthead
and fighting tops.
After passing up and down the line
of the warships the yacht Maytowe'
bearing the president, Mrs. Roosevelt
Secretary Loeb and few invite
guests. came to anchor, and the pres
dent was received on board the flal
ship by officers of the Atlantic fleet an
foreign commanding officers. Subs'
quently all proceeded to the landing q
the exposition grounds.
Really Mere Form.
Pressing the proverbial gold butto
invariably used in connection with tn
onap;no nf a~nocitinnS was not such a