The Washington herald., 1910-03-28
EGYPTIAN EDITORS
MEET ROOSEVELT
Novel Reception Follows an
Attack on Speeches.
BROWNING TURNED TO SMILES
Some Express Admiration After q
"Heart-to-Heart Talk" and Some
say He's Good Fellow, but Does
Not Know what He - Talking
AbOut-Party Attends Church.

Cairo. March 27.-Probably the most In
|terestlng incident thus far in connection
with Col Roosevelts visit here occurred
to-day when, at his own suggestion. he
held an informal conference with a num-
Der OF Egyptian newspaper men.
The ex-President has been keenly in
terested in the attacks by the native
press on his speeches. they charging that
ne has interfered in Egyptian politics.
and said he would like TO have a heart
to-heart 4 Z with the editors. AS a re-
suit TIE newspaper men visited him TO-
day, al of them displaying great eager
ness for the interview.
Most of them wore European frock
coats and tarbushes. but one ta!b digni-
fed Arab sheikh appeared tn flowing
robes and turban He was the author
OF one of the anti-R Roosevelt articles. and
he seemed keenly anxious for contro-
versy.
Words Are Interpreted.
After the introduction Col Roosevelt
addressed the assemblage. Some Of them
could speak only Arabic. and hence an
interpreter was necessary. Col. Roose-
welt said some hing about 1t being the
duty of journalists to promote religious
toleration. whereUpon the sheikh eagerly
injected in cultural Arabic:
"Afoslems and Christians have lived
peaceably side by side in Egypt for thir-
teen centuries. There is no reason why
they should not continue to do So"
If he anticipated that this would lead
to an argument. he was disappointed. for
Col. Roosevelt only raped out. with ap-
preciative vigor:
That's fine: that's fne," And went
on with his homily on the powe~ and
responsibility Of the press.
Describing the press as the most for
midable weapon Of modern life. he de-
clared it ought only to be used for good
purposes. The interview ended without
any controversy and with mutual com
pIiments and a general display Of good
feeling.
Express Their Admiration.
Asked afterward what were their i'm
pressions Of the meeting, It became clear
that what struck the editors most was
the freedom with which Col. Roosevelt
talked with them and the pleasure he
seemed to feel at meeting them. It was
such an unexpected attitude on the part
Of the man who had been the head of
great nation that one Of the newspaper
men declared his heart was so full of
admiration and gratitude that he could
hardly restrain his tears. Another. how
ever, who is an ardent Nationalist, said:
Mr.. Roosevelt didn't know what he
was talking about, but he meant we'll"
There was a great crush at the Anglo
American Church at the service this
morning. Besides Col. Roosevelt and his
family. there We're present Ambassador
and Mrs Straus. Consul and Mrs. Iddings.
Gen. Sir John Maxwell, commanding the
British force in Egypt, and his staff; Sir
Eldon Gorst. the British diplomatic
agent; many officials. ali the leading
residents, and many American visitors.
Attends Sirdar's Dinner.
IN the evening the Roosevelts attended
a dinner given 10y Lieut.. Gen Sir Francis
" ilSate, Sludi OF liiS E-ss9 hAitLi dIily,
which was largely attended by a repre-
sentative company.
Last nights reception following the din
ner at the American agency was a great
success. Col. Roosevelt was shaking
hands and chatting all the time.
Mrs. Roosevelt is charmed with Cairo.
and she would gladly extend her stay if
her husbands European engagements
would allow IT, Col. Roosevelts lecture
at the university tomorrow is awaited