Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-01-02
Italian Horror Casts Shadow Over
White House Reception.
ALL OF The DIPLOMATS ATTENDED
Mourning Of Two Nations saddened
Regular New Year Function-The
Last to be Given by Present oeeu.
pant Of Executive MansIon.
nv Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON. Jan. l.-Seldom
has there been gathering at the
White House so frausht with ele'
ments OF interest as that which es
semb.ed today to extend 20 President
Roosevelt wishes for a happy New
Year. 1t was the last opportunity of
The public to meet their present chief
executive and 1t was distinguish d
by The attendance of diplomatic rep
vcsentatives of nearly all the nations
Of the world. Of officials from every
ranch of the government and CT cit
liens in every walk of Tfe
A shadow of sadness was cast over
tue company by the recent terrible
calamity VIII ch has fallen upon the
Italian people. whose ambassador
was present, as the dean OF the dipio-
matte corps. and by the absence OF
the preventative Of the emperor OF
mourning for the lat" emperor and
dowagcr empress OF that country.
To Mr. Roosevelt the Occa sion was
memorable beyond any in which he
has participated since his election to
..e pres .dency.
The first meetings OF the day were
extended to the pres dent ard Mrs.
Roosevelt by the vice-rrcsident, MEM
hers of the cabinet and their lauies.
without the least show of Formally.
These fluctuations were exchanged
N the private rooms on the second
aoor Of the mansion. While the pres
dent party was gathering above.
here was another assCmblaee in the
state diningrO" m on the first floor.
There is the prescribed attire Of
her respective ccrrtS. were the dip
'Omatic representatives. accredited
70 this country. The central figure
this country was Raron Edmonds.
Mayor DesPlanrhos. the Italian am
hassador. The greetings extended to
him were characterized by manifes-
atoms OF sorrow over the dire ca
'amity under which his conntrymen
have so recently suffered rather than
ne usual salutatiCns attending the
frst day OF the year. When at the
lead of the line Of the diplomats he
nassed into the blue room President
Roosevelt shook his End and as
sired him Of the sincere sympathy OF
he American people for his stricken
countrymen.
The mourning which also kept Spe-
cial Amhassa doris TonA away. pre-
vented WI Ting Fang. the Chine Sc
'nin'ster. from attending the recep-
ION. The descent Of the presidential
party from the private rooms to the
blue room was one OF the most pic
trrcsGue features Of the dav. As tn"
president and Mrs. Roosevelt started
Town the staircase. followed nv eth
,rs OF the receiving party a fare OF
mansion. The United States marine
hand N brilliant scarlet uniforms.
was stationed in the stately hall.
The strains OF Hail to the Cher
~reeted the president as he reached
the rain floor ard turned 10 enter
the blue room. The reception was
marked bv informality. The an
nouncement Of the camers was made
20 the PRECEDENT by Colonel Charles
:. Promwell United States army.
and to Mrs. Roosevelt by Captain Al
wander ". B"tt. mil tary aid to the
,re dent. Chief Justice Fuller and
ne associate justices cs the supreme
corrt Of the United States led the
ontire judiciary present. after which
"eme senators and representatives In
congress Brigadier-Lenera j,
Franklin Bell. chief O. stan. led the
ormy. which was very fully repre-
senied The navy also was repre-
'he president I'D the wav to the din
ng-room where refreshments were
served.
Reception Lasted Long.
For three and half hours the
President stood receiving his guests
md when the reception was ended
last years record CT attendance had
been broken by over seven hundred.
Many men and women distinguish
I'd in the offcal and social life IN
Washington were Pre- sent.
The brillian. couTr dress Of mem
Ncrs OF the diplomatic corps gave q
picturesque aspect TO the ANNA
function which throurhout was mark
cd Nv an absence Of Formally.
The number of small children. who
vcre brought by their parents TO
shake hands with the Presidcn. was
unprecedented.
Contrary to The custom of recon-
-ears Mira. Roosevelt and the ladies'
" the cabinet rcna ned in the Red
room tonight throughout the furc-
ion.
The of,cisis OF the government.
representing all important hareaus
II the various departments were 70
lowed By representatives OF various
ratriot'c socisties. which had beer
gwen places Of honor in the line.
Mrs. Fairbanks ard ladies Of the
-abinet circle assisted Mrs. Roose.
vsf
A largo numher " ladies' were 10
vited 10 the Biue room. iBcludinc
Mrs. Robert RaroT. Mrs Robert J
/ Wynn Miss IDS VIM, Mrs. W r