The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-07

trated into the interior of the town.
now desert waste
The former President was strangely
moved by the pitiful spectacle of a city
destroyed and on the way back to the
sea front he spoke most sympathetic
cally of the sufferings of the Sicilians
and or the mysterious influence that
held them to their devastated country
Arrived again in the populated quar-
tiers 1t seemed as though the people
were not so unhappy after all. They
showed certain serene contentment
and everywhere Mr.. Roosevelt was
greeted with great enthusiasm. The
crowds followed the American party
wherever il went. cheering frequently
and shouting viva America Viva
Roosevelt" Mr.. Roosevelt was visibly
touched and lifted his hat repeatedly
stopping sometimes to shake hands
with the children. He left an impress
sion on the people which never will be
forgotten of a strong man whose deep
est sympathies have gone out to them
The people were still acclaiming the
ex-president as he climbed aboard his
steamer shouting wishes for happy
journey. AS the Admiral sailed slow
~ out of the port 1t was seen that
King Victor Emmanuel was standing
on the bridge of the Reum berto. The
battleship saluted the departing guest
and the king waved his hand while
the ex-president replied with a frantic
waving of his hat.
Will Never Forget 1t.
Although somewhat worn from his
fatiguing excursion ashore, Mr. ROose-
welt said that he was exceedingly
happy at his meeting with the king.
When he had seen in the Messina, he
continued would leave a lasting i'm
preston.
After short rest he donned even
ing dress and went to dinner, still hav-
ing before him the flowers sent by
he
of a conversation Mr. Roosevelt made
some reference to a letter which he
had written to Sir Harry H. Johnston,
the British traveller and scientist who
has made a study of the negro and the
problems of that race. In the letter
Mr.. Roosevelt invited Sir Harry to go
to Hayti so he might see the difference
between the negro in America and the
negro in Africa. The United States at
that time had a negro as its represen-
tative at Hayti The letter, he said,
was intended to be private but instead,
it was published. Mr.. Roosevelt OBJ
served that this had created some
embarrassment for him, but he added
that he preferred to fight in the open
instead of trying to avoid tackling a
vital question.
For example" he said at is well
known that 1 have often risked being
assaSsinated. but not even to escape
this would I resign myself to being
shut up in an iron cage. because if I
was so confined I would not be able to
take any action"
Prior to leaving Messina. the ex-
president sent kilograms to the mayor
of Naples and the mayor of Rome. To
the former after thanking him for the
courtesy which he had received in
that city. he said:
AT Messina realized more keenly
than before the dreadful nature of the
disaster, which all the civilized world
has mourned.'
To Mayor Nathan of Rome, he said:
Accept my hearty thanks for your
very kind greeting Through you I
thank the people of Rome. I wish
again to express my profound sorrow
and sympathy for the American peo-
pie and for their Italian brothers in
the overwhelming disaster which be-
fell them"