New-York tribune., 1909-03-24

As soon as Mr Roosevelt put foot on board OF
the Hamburg he began a crowded two hours De-
fore sailing time. which delayed 20 six min
utes past the schedule 10 give Mr. Roosevelt
chance to say farewell 10 his friend and former
con1rade in arms. General Leonard Wood.
ITALIANS ENTHUSIASTIC.
Personal and political friends many sorts
Of delegations officials and just some well wish
ers visited him in his suite, crowded the decks
and salons and overfowed on 20 the pier one
OF the delegations was an italian group that
came TO express the gratitude OF their stricken
countrymen for Mr. Roosevelts prompt aid TO
the earthquake sufferers in Sicily They brought
very active band with them that played alter
natey for about two hours The Star Spangled
Banner" and the italian national anthem.
The Italians had had one corner OF the pier
especially decorated for their part in the pro
gramme. The corner was covered with flags
and a streamer. on the streamer appeared:
Italo-American. Let US shout-Long live
President Roosevelt and the United States A
tribute Of Thanksgiving on behalf Of the strick
en- brethren OF Sicily and Calabria. Let US sol
emnly condemn the crime staining Italy's name.
Let us here pledge our unshsken loyalty 10
American institutions. Long live America!
They brought with them bronze plaque. and
on IT appeared the likeness Of Mr.. Roosevelt
and an expression OF thanks for his services.
President Colari Of the Italian American Club
presented the plaque to Colonel Roosevelt. who
came down on the pier TO receive it.
Among those who paid their early respects to
the departing ex-Presdent was General Bing-
ham. who came to ths pier the police boat
Patrol, accompanied by two aids. About half
hour before the steamer cast off the tug
John J. Timmins engaged for the day by Sur
veyor Clarkson. arrived at the pier and dis
charged a group of Mr.. Roosevelt's friends and
Gary. Paul Morton, Collector Loeb. Postmaster
Morgan, Surveyor Clarkson and Deputy Sur
veyors Coneys and Bishop. The Tiu1mins car
rfed huge nag. bearing the words Bon voy-
age" Colonel Roosevelt received the reporters
in his suite, but had very little to say 10 them.
NEW YORK WAVES GOoDBY.
Gentlemen, there is one thing that I desire
very much to have you say for me-" said he
There is immense mass Of mail on board
this steamship which has come to me and which
have not been able TO open and most Of which
I will not be able to open for some time after
ward. I have no stenogra pher with me. Since
left the White House have received about
five thousand six thousand letters Four
ffths of these I have not even Much
would lik. to go through them all simply can
not do So but my thanks to the people who sent
them are however none the less. / wish that you
would say for me that II Will be only waste
of time for any TO write to me while am in
Africa Again I will say that I deeply appre-
ciate the courtesy of those who have written
me and take this occasion TO give my thanks"
Colonel Roosevelt stopped here. For minute
there was silence, which was broken when a re-
porter said
Some one told me, colonel, that you are going
TO be our next President"
Colonel Roosevelt didn't wait 10 hear any more
from the reporter He raised both hands in
the air and said
"C5oodbv, gentlemen"
AS the Hamburg glided from her berth there
was a deafening shreking Of whistles by the
river craft. augmented by the more sonorous
tones of the liner and the cheers Of the men and
women on the pier All lower New York appar-
emily was interested in the departure of the for
nner Chief Magistrate. for from the windows Of
the tall buildings that look down the North
River clerks and stenographers waved their
goodby. From the top Of the Singer Building
futtered three signal flags. spelling "Farewsil"