Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-11-20
ROOSEVELT TELLS OF AFRICA
Colonel Relates Adventures Before
National Geographic Society.
AVOIDS MENTION OF POLITICS
Ex-President Says every Dos Has
His Dsy, but the Nights neionE
10 the Cats."


WASHINGTON. Nov. is-Coionel Theo-
dore Roosevelt returned to the national
capital yesterday for the first time since
his official departure from the white House
IN March. 1909. in the role OF sportsman
and scientist he came to relate before the
National Geographic society tonight his
adventures in the African Jungle Much
interest was manifested as TO whether he
would make any reference to the recent
political upheaval and politics in general,
but beyond the remark, Every dog has
his day, but the nights belong to the cats.
which he made in jest before the National
Press club, where he was Informally re-
ceived this afternoon shortly after his ar
rival the colonel evaded the mention OF
politics.
From the moment OF his arrival at 4:2o
o'clock this afternoon. when he was met at
the station by his daughter, Mrs. Nicholas
Longworth, and delegations from the Ma
tional Geographic society and the National
Press club. the colonel kept up a rapid fire
OF superlauves that evinoed the hearty
enjoyment he felt at returning TO scenes
that recalled strenuous days OF executive
action. At the National Press club there
was a great gathering OF newspaper men
and their friends. Many OF those who well
coined the ex-president were present in
March, 1900, when he babe farewell to the
correspondents and writers with whom he
had been associated during the seven years
| Of his administration.
In Humorous Vein.
MY friends" he began, Il am very
deeply touched by your kind way Of greet
ing me, and do hope you understand how
genuinely 1 feel 1t. ! do not want to make
any comments"
Mr.. Roosevelt Joined in the laugh that
followed and added:
| Il was thinking Of one, however, that
would be sufficiently inclusive. I wish to
say that every dog has his day but the
nights belong to the cats"
The colonel closed with a bit of humor
that occasioned laughter when he said:
And now I am going to have a chance
to shake hands with every blessed one who
does not think his character win be hurt
thereby"
In his lecture at Convention hall tonight
he confined his remarks entirely 20 a dis
| cJssion Of the incidents OF the trip and
evoked mingled laughter and applause as
he told OF the habits OF the natives. the
encounters with wild beasts and the re-
markable collections OF specimens, which,
he declared, he was glad the expedition was
able to obtain.
The colonel launched forth into a MARIA
tive OF the events which led up to his being
asked by the Smithsonian institution to
lead an expedition to Africa in search OF
scientific specimens. He praised the work
Of his companions and mentioned among
the achievements Of the trip the taking Of
the best photographs Of q herd OF wild
elephants ever taken and the only photo
graphs Of i've white rhinoceroses as we'll as
| some 1900 specimens of much value
There were no hardships," he continued.
except the mild amount Of danger from
shooting wild beasts and from disease.
Fortunately no white man of the party was
lost.H
Never Believed Cook.
The speaker digressed momen TO men
ton that he was just about on the equa-
torlaI line when news reached him Of the
alleged discovery Of the North pole by DIR.
Cook He said he did not believe IL at the
time When he received news a few days
later OF the achievement OF Commander
Peary, he declared he was confident the
pole had been reached and added that he
was glad OF the stand which the National
Geographic society had taken in defending
Peary.
Indirect allusion was made by the colonel
to his recent structures on the supreme
court, when he related en- incident to which
he said, only Mark Twain could have done
justice.
ANY Of us who have had dealings with
government officers know the type OF
bureaucrat who will keep to the rules ever
II the heavens fall" he continued. Gap
tain Smith. head Of the irrigation service
in north African town. had been trying
to raise vegetables and flowers.
zone night a zebra came and his gardener
killed the animal, whereat the district judg,
4 promptly fined the gardener for killing
game" The audience laughed as the colone
added, Il don't think the most sensitiv,
soul could object to calling that Judge
fossilized.'
After the lecture Colonel Roosevelt helC
a reception, many officials pressing forward
to greet him
e Mir. Roosevelt will spend tomorrow her
and depart for oyster Bay Sunday.
'