Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-27
FROM SPHINX TO THE TONBS
Roosevelt and Party Take Moonlight
Journey Over the Sands.
HOLD CANDLES IN DARK CAvERNs
Time-wOrn Relics Have Peculiar
Interest for AmeFicans--Party
WIN Attend Easter Services
sunday.

CAltNlt hRypt, Mafon Hos-Op MNNtl Nne sun
yesterday after a restful night at the Mena
house. Colonel Roosevelt and his party were
early astir in preparing for visit to the
Metropolis Of sakkara, where are the won
derful tombs OF various kings. A portion
Of last night was spent in viewing the
sphinx by moonlight. and Colonel Roosevelt
said today that the weird sight had been
thoroughly enjoyed by himself and his fam
ily. 1t was the most interesting thing he
had seen during bis trip 70 Africa.
Tonight Colonel Roosevelt and his family
returned to Cairo. dined with the American
consul general, Mr.. Iddings, and later at
tended banquet rendered him by Sir Eden
Gorst, the British agent and consul general
In Egypt
Major F. X. Watson, who met Colonel
Roosevelt year ago at Port Said, was an
early caller at the MenR house today. He
paid the respects Of the khedive to the
American huntsman and tendersd to him
the use Of the khedive's special camel corps
for the etght-mile ride across the desert to
sakkara. Such a tender always is a spe-
eial mark of favor and Colonel Roosevelt
accepted it with much pleasure. The colonei
and Kermit each rode one Of the animals
over the dreary waste to the metropolis
but Mrs. Roosevelt and Miss Ethel chose
more comfortable sand cart.
Sees TOmbs of Bulls.
Arriving at the tombs Of the bulls Of
Apis, the oldest of which dates back tc
100 B. c., the time OF the reign OF Amen
ophis III, the sightsesrs were met by an
archaeologist who had been instructed to
act as their guide with lighted candles
the Americans entered the dark caverns
and looked with interest upon the sights.
Colonel Roosevelt evinced great curiosity
In the methods Of burial OF the ancient
Egyptians and piled the Egyptologist with
numerous questions. One sarcophRgus was
opened and lighted candles lowered into It
to show how the mammoth bulls were
lowered into their final resting places.
From the tombs of the bulls the party
| proceeded to the temples and the tomb OF
Thy plebeisn, who lived in the fifth dyn-
esty, but who was so esteemed that he was
permitted to marry a princess Their off
spring became prices. Here Colonel
Roosevelt and his family were Joined by
Oscar s. Straus. the American ambassador
to Turkey. and Mrs. straus, Mr.. Iddings
and Miss Iddings.
On the walls Of the tomb OF Thy are varl-
GUS sculptures and paintings which, though
they were executed some $500 years before
Christ are still legible. These were greatly
l@-N--NA@~N e@taN SOAoAaNi ANophbNGAN VIII nus
usual keen perception, pointed out 20 the
archaeologist the pictures of various ami
mails he had seen lately in the jungle, but
which are extinct in upper Egypt He de-
| clared that the fact that they were re-
produced in the tomb Of Thy was proof
| that the animals once had roamed this
| country. Colonel Roosevelt also was deeply
interested in pictures showing an Egyptian
stuffing geese, a swan and hyena, which
In the old days were used as food.
Roosevelt sets Pnce.
From the temple Colonel Roosevelt and
his party repaired to the home OF the arch
aeologtst, where they stopped for a few
minutes to partake of light Refreshments
which had been prepared by the housewife.
Between the temples and the tomb and the
temple and the archaeologist's home Mr..
Roosevelt insisted on walking ahead Of
his party, the members of which had a
hard struggle to keep up with the pace he
set for them. The privacy Of the movements
Of the Americans was invaded during their
tour by moving picture man who focused
his machine upon them and rolled off yard
after yard OF films. After Refreshments the
entire party continued their Sightseeing trim
toward the Nile
In crossing the desert Mrs Roosevelt and
Mrs straus occupied the sand cart CoIonel
Roosevelt, Miss Roosevelt and Miss Iddin0s
chose camels as their means OF transport
while Kermit Roosevelt, AmbaEsador
Straus and Mr. Iddings rode donkeys.
Arriving at the Nile the party took a
launch out to a large river boat WHARF
Colonel Roosevelt was welcomed by George
Wyssa Bey, his wife, his brother and sister
all OF whom were educated at the mission
schools at Assiut and Beirut. A luncbAor
was served on the deck OF the boat urSa-
canopy OF oriental tapestry AT the en-
trance to which was a gracefully draDed
American flag
Later Colonel Roosevelt ana Ttarr,t, -,
visit 70 the Cairo geological eardons
and inspected with much interest the sna,
linens there. Mrs. Roosevelt ana NTi..
Ethel and the other members OF the n.rt,,
meantime had retired to the hotel TO rest
for the banquet tonight
Politics Not AIentionea.
The visit to Cairo of Mr.. straus Is with
out political bearing He came msral,, ..
personal friend OF Colonel RoosevaIt A.
whose cabinet he served as secretarv q,
commerce and labor. He will return %
Constantinople next Wednesday
Colonel Roosevelt dominates the tbo,,wh.
| OF all Cairo. Everyone Is watching his
movements and his sayings are OF intense
interest.
Americans are everywhere to be seem
| in Cairo, Three hundred OF them wbo
are on tour today sent an address OF wei
come TO Colonel Roosevelt, congratulat,n,
him on his safe return to civiIizat,or
Colonel Roosevelt will hold reception FOR
the Americans tomorrow morning ana
thank them for their kindly expressionS
The hotels here never before were ss
crowded. Among the arrivals today were
Prince Eitel Frederick, son OF the Garroas
emperor, and WI Ting-Fang, a form.r
Chinese minister to the United States who
is on the way home He hopes To 80
Colonel Roosevelt before he departs.
Colonel Roosevelt's program tomorrovv
includes visit to Asher university. n,
will attend the Easter service in the
American church Sunday and sfterward
take dinner with the sirdar Monday Col
7 nnal Qooaaxrelf min eg,,a q 1..t,...