Evening star., 1909-03-12
BARS AFRICA TO PRESS
Roosevelt Going Into Jungle
Without Newspaper Escort.
HALTS TRAVELLING CARAVAN
Friendship Ceases at Starting Point
in Dark Continent.
CAN'T ANSWER HIS LETTERS
Willing to Discuss Anything But the
Standard Oil Decision and Has
Decided Opinions There.
CAN'T ANSWER HIS LETTERS

| SYCAMORE HILL. L. l., March IL
While completing arrangements for his
appearance at the farewell reception to
Mrs Roosevelt and himself at the town
hall this evening. Theodore Roosevelt
threw off the mantle of silence which he
has worn persistently since his arrival at
Sycamore Hill and talked about his At
rican shooting trip.
| Incidentally he discussed his Colorado
trip, talked of his cowboy days in the
west, expressed his hearty admiration for
the sunshine which bathed the hill in a
soft light and remarked that he did not
care to discuss the Standard Oil rebate
cases because che had decided opinions
thereon which circumstances forced him
| to keep to himself
81 have just received a telegram from
| press agency asking me if I would per-
NIT a representative to accompany me on
my African trip" he said after reading
communication to him by his daughter
Ethel. You may say for me that 1 shall
not permit this in any circumstances.
Il cannot prevent the newspapers send
ing representatives on the steamship
which will take me to Naples or on the
vessel which will convey me to or near
Nairobf British East Africa, but after
that | shall have something to say
He Knows the Way.
What preventive measures will you
take?' was asked.
"I won't commit myself" laughed Mr..
Roosevelt, "Dut I shall do all in my power
to prevent the Quitting of any caravan
that designs to follow my expedition into
the jungle.
Il have been informed that the Asso-
ciated Press expects to outfit caravan
with view TO following my party, and
this other news concern which mas Just
wired me has received similar informa-
ton. If it is true. L shall do my utmost
to foil the attempt.
Il shall welcome all newspapermen as
fellow passengers until reach my start
ing point in Africa. Then all friendship
ceases until return from the jungle"
Mr.. Roosevelt changed the subject sud-
denly with the request that newspapers
do him the favor to ask people to deslst
from writing letters or sending kilograms
to him in the future.
II have received no less than 1000 let
ters and kilograms since my arrival here
week ago, and my life is becoming a
burden he remarked dolefully. You
see. it is a physical impossibility for me
to answer them, and I'm not going to try:
81 have been asked by manufacturers Of
| firearms to give certain weapons trial.
others have asked me to preside at dedi-
cations of all sorts of buildings here and
there. while others make all sorts OF odd
requests. I have received hundreds of
letters from persons wishing me a safe
journey in Africa and wishing me happy
| return.
''If YOU will kindly thank all my cor
respondents for me and tell them why L
cannot answer their communications you
will do me and them a favor
Sure He Will Survive.
do you expect to survive your trip,
Mr.. Roosevelt?' was a jocular question
put to the former President.
Come and see me during the fall Of
1910 and then / shall answer you he
answered IF these professors who take
such a warm interest in my trip and my
chances of contracting and surviving
miasmatic fevers in the African jungle
knew how little their views affected me
they might not utter them.
Il have been in bad places before and
know how to take care OF myself. Be
sides the territory in Africa l am going
to visit is safe to travellers as are the
marshes in the south.
Il am accustomed to facing dangers and
the fear of fever is purely imaginary. l
served my apprenticeship on the western
plains and a little jaunt in Africa will be
merely diversion
Mr. Roosevelt reverted to his cowboy
DAYS in Dakota as the happiest Of his life.
When he was informed by his interviewer
that he himself had spent two years on
the western cattle ranges ne extended MS
hand warmly.
Put it thar ne said, enthusiastically.
Now that we've got into other business
were both down and out Give me the life
of the prairies every time! 1t puts ginger
into your veins and a soul into your
body"
Mr. Roosevelt then talked of the pecu-
liarities of mountain lions. jaguars and
other animals lie had killed while in Colo
RADIO some years ago. He did not talk
of the nature takers, but said he had
found the mountain lion cowardly ami
NAL
II killed several he said, land they in
variably on the run. A jaguar when
! wounded Will attack you. as Will, or
course. bear. ! killed some crocodiles in
the canebrakes but this afforded me little
ing crocodile. ! shall come across some
= of these in Africa probably. and. OF
course. / shall pay them my respects
Good Time Tonight
II Mr. Roosevelt closed the interview with
; the statement that lie would receive his
: old friends and townsmen in the town
l. hall at Oyster Bay this evening and ex-
/ pressed great pleasure thereat.
Mrs. Roosevelt and l are extremely
sratified at the we'll wishes extended to US
by our old friends here, and TO all OF
them we will be at home for two hours
The reception will be informal and per
a sons not strictly residents of Oyster Bay
will not be admitted. We ask for lit
tie publicity possible now that l an
le an ordinary citizen"
20 ! Mr. Roosevelt stepped out TO the We
: randa of his cottage and inflated his
3" chest with the bracinS ozone that came
)i with the steadineSS of a gale across the
as bay from the southeast.
Its glorious" he remarked with fer
vor "A friend of mine once said all th'
pure air Long Island was centeret
III about Sycamore Hill, and l agree will
m him 1t surely is a paradise on d sun
d. shiny day in early spring like this.
~, Good morning"