New-York tribune., 1909-03-22
A ROOSEVELT REUNION
FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR
AFRICA.
Er-Presifent to Go to Hoboken To
ddy to Inspect Quarters on
the Hamburg.

Oyster Bay. March 21.-Happy in the pros
rect Of his departure Tuesday morning for
his long planned African expedition, Theodore
Roosevelt was the soul of good humor to-day at
his home in Sycamore Hill where the members
Of his family. including Mrs Longworth, gath
cred for a reunion The ex-President took a
lively interest in the final preparations for ship
ping HIS personal baggage tomorrow TO the
Hsulburg-American steamship Hamburg w.
F7nIen Roosevelt and his family. cousins Of the
ex-President. joined the family party in the
afternoon. James r. Garfield. ex-Secretary OF
+he Interior extended his felicitations for safe
tourney TO his former chief
Afr and Mrs Roosevelt and Quentin, ARCHIE
snd Ethel Roosevelt in the morning walked TO
Christ Church, where the Rev Henry WASH
bl1rn incorporated q special prayer Tor MI
Roosevelt-s safe return in the regular prayer
Several Of The congregation pressed about Mr.
Roosevelt at the close Of the church service ana
wished him successful journey and good luck
~ and Mrs Roosevelt made the three-mlle
rr7p back 10 Sycamore Hill on foot
After luncheon Mr.. Roosevelt made carefu!
,7srec-ion of all his baggage with two repre-
sen-atives OF the steamship company to see
that everything was right and tight for the four
weeks rip 10 Mombasa- The baggage was
checked for Naples. and viii be taken TO the
steamer tomorrow
= an going TO New York in the morning.
.g,5 NJ Roosevelt and will go TO the steamer
% ,7snec+ nv quarters and see that my personal
borgage is safely cared for. I shall take with
-,e WY wearing apparel. rifles. ammunition one
ter+ nom here books and some scientific instru-
merits
A dispatch stating that man from the West
v,ourd foin the expedition here was shown 10
NJ Roosevelt
= don't know anything about IT,, he said. II
snv one else is going I don't know il If they
trv think there will be some way TO stop them
There is story that a man went TO Texas with
pq-calibre revolver, and a cowboy said TO the
newcomer: Stranger. If you shoot with that
thing and find It out. I'll kick you out OF
Texas Well. If find any one trying to follow
ne 7 may think OF the cowboy story.
To the correspondents MI Roosevelt said:
y want TO say now that do not intend 10
make and will not make any statement regard
ing nv African trip or on any other subject
either here, at Naples, or Momhasa- so thaI
snv appearing as coming from me will be false
on its face"
He seemed surprised to hear that delegations
from civic and political organizations from va
-ioUs parts of the country would be at the pier
10 see him of and that several thousand people
would probably be on hand to give him part
ing cheer
me- said MI Roosevelt ioE
don't really mean to say there will be such
crowd as that? Are all those people coming?
The French Ambassador, NJ Jusserand. wrote
ne that he would see me at the dock. If a big
crowd is coming I will write the company 10
see that he has trouble in getting through
the crowd I will leave here early on Tuesday,
and may go by the tube to Hoboken from New
York. which of course, depends upon the
weather There will be no speeches or state
rasnts from me at the steamer
The information that many packages had been
received at the pier from various friends, con-
faining everything from an assortment Of pills
to cure al the evils that flesh is heir to in the
Jungle TO ammunition and guns, caused MI
Roosevelt 10 eXclaim:
Il might say now that I have engaged all
nv equipment, and 1 won't take them. won't
even look at them It's no use TO send those
things to me-
He vas q private citizen. he said, and as such
he was entitled 10 A private citizens rights, and
be would decline TO make any statements on
American political affairs
Nr Roosevelt has presented tn Matinecock
Lodge SOC 2 and A NJ Of which he is a
member. q Masonic emblem. II consists Of a
horseshoe, the ends of which on a sort of
.iiubs On the limb is eagle holding the
Masonic ernbIern-the letter Q. square and COM
pass The whole rests green plush back
ground ard IS fnclosed in a gilt frame.
The Town Board Of Oyster Bay viii present
70 the ex- President tomorrow the following
preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, Theodore Roosevelt. for many years
an bonorAd resident of Oyster Bay township. for
Two years Governor Of New York and for seven
wears President of the United States. is about
II leave for q foreign land for indefinite
period. and
Whereas. Theodore Roosevelt. through his un-
hlsnished public career and unimpeachable
character as q private citizen. has contributed
to the wellbeing and fame Of Oyster Bay, which
he makes his home; and.
Whereas. II is fitting that this board attest
.ts admiration for and appreciation Of the local
citizenship Of Theodore Roosevelt and Of his
unswerving allegiance 10 the town in which he
resides. therefore, be IL
Resolved. That in Theodore Roosevelt this
beard and the citizens Of oyster Bay recognize
all those qualities that make for sterling and
efficient citizenship: that his loyalty TO his
country and fealty to party in times Of peace
and war are worthy Of emulation by the grow
ing youth of cur land: that his integrity, hon
esty.f conscientiousness Of purpose and fearless
ness in the discharge OF his duty are deserving
Of the highest praise; that his patriotism. truth
inlness steady adherence TO principle love of
honne and devotion to family contribute 10 his
eFtetness as a man and to make Of him a figure
- "hlch not only his fellow townsmen Of Oyster
further
resolved That this board extends TO Theodore
fN"'sefeit It's WaTmest fellowship and best wishes
-'I Ms SAFE return from foreign lands