The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-17

ident Dia1 AT n state dinner In the GUS
tOm-hOuse at JuaTez.
Again President Taft was greeted with
the booming OF cannon and the cheers OF
the Moxicans. At the Mexican end Of
the bridge he passed between long rows
| OF COrinthian columns each surmoUnted
with a gilded Mexican eagle carrying a
cactus leaf IN It's mouth. From the tops
OF the columns hung huge willow bas-
kets filed with the sweetest OF MexicO's
flowers.
Between the columns were palms and
beautiful ported plants. while thousands
OF miniature electric lights were half con-
cealed IN the foliage. The whole had the
appearance Of a beautiful garden walk.
The President stopped for moment in
admiration. Juarez in her display OF
flags was just as impartial as FL Paso.
The Mexican tri-color was intertwined
with the Stars and Stripes.
Banquet Most Elaborate.
The banquet was one OF the most elabo-
rate that has been served in Mexico for
years. The patio" OF the custom-house
had been converted into a huge srbor A
roof had been put on for the occasion.
special tables had oeen constructed 20 NJ
the table linen brought from Chapultepec
the national castle. and other arrange
ments were on an equally elaborate
scale.
MeXicos choicest flowers had been
gathered from all parts OF the republic
and brought by the carload 20 Juorez
AT least four carloads we're shipped IN for
the decoration OF the banquet room alone.
h.
Monsieur Damont, who for years cooked
for King Alfonso XII OF Spain and who
Is now official caterer OF the republic OF
Mexico
Damont has been at Juarez for nearly n
month preparing for the banquet. The
ranges on which the food was cooked
were transported 1900 miles. from the
City OF Mexico. The wines served were
the Oldest that could be found IA the re-
public.
The silver and gold plate used was also
brought from the City OF Mexico. II
belonged 10 the banquet service OF EN-
peror Maximilion. 1t was shipped 70
Juarez in twenty specially made boxes.
The plate Is valued az 81 200 90. and is one
OF the most valuable treasures OF the
government Solid gold coffee and tea
sets are the most valuable pieces. The
service has bttA AflANl n HltNldl kAnAN
ever since IL was brought TO Juorez.
The two Presidents. with their retinues
OF officials and the newspaper men in
both parties. occupied a large center
table. while the remainder OF the guests
were arranged about Il. The atmosphere
OF the room was heavy with the OdOr OF
Mexican gardianRs and Jasemine. Elec-
trio lights we're half hidden among the
petals OF some OF the flowers. Behind the
two Presidents were large oil portraits
OF George Washington and Hidalgo, the
Washington OF Mexico.
Above the two portraits hung the Stars
and Stripes and the Mexican red. white.
and green. Altogether there were only
$50 guests at the dinner. They included
all of the Presidents party, Secretary
Dickinson. Postmaster General Hitchcock.
the Mexican ministers. and most OF the
others who had taken part IN the day
programme.
President Taft end President Diaz chat
ted with each other through an inter-
prefer. and appeared TO ind relief IN the
fact that over their meal at least they
could enjoy few informal remarks.
At the banquet representatives OF the
city of I'll PasO presented to each Of the
Presidents gold cup suitably inscribed.
President TAFT left FL Paso at S o'clock
for San Antonio. and President Diaz
pulled out OF Juarez two hours later for
the City OF Mexico.