The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-02
On His HOmeward Trip From
the WildS of Africa.
A GREAT CROWD
Ready to Greet His Arrival at
the Docks.
COlOrs of Italy and u. s. Float
From Buildings.

Naples, April Z.-The blue bay OF
Naples never was more beautiful than
when the steamer Prinz Heinrich with
the Roosevelt family aboard steamed
| into the harbor at 8:2O o'clock this
| morning.
| notwithstanding the early hour the
water front was lined with thousands
| who wished to share in the welcome
| to Mr.. Roosevelt. Only American Am
bassador Leischmann with the other
members of the embassy; American
Consul Crowninshield, Marquis Desoto,
the prefect of Naples; official repre-
| sentatives of the municipality; the COM
mander of the port, and a group of for
elgn correspondents were admitted to
the slip where the vessel dOcked but
outside the gates a surging mass of
excited persons including hundreds Of
Americans, craned their necks to get
an early glimpse of the distinguished
American.
AS soon as the gang plank had been
lowered the official party of welcome
boarded the steamer and was conduct
ed aloft to the bridge, where the Roose-
velts were bidding goodbye to the cap
tain.
Cordial greetings We're exchanged.
Mr.. Roosevelt, attired in a gray sack
suit and wearing a soft black hat, ap-
peared in splendid health and spirits.
He spoke with pleasure of setting his
foot upon European soil again and of
feeling that at last he was homeward
bound.
Had a Fine Voyage.
Mr.. Roosevelt said that the voyage
from Alexandria had been without
special incident and had been accom-
plished in perfect weather. A few
moments later he descended the gang
plank and the crowd, catching sight of
him, greeted him with cheers. Many
Americans had provided themselves
with flags, and these were waved
frantically.
The Roosevelts, with those who had
come to formally receive them, were
soon whisked away in automobiles to
made their way through the crowd Mr..
Roosevelt raised his hat, and smiling,
bowed right and left in acknowledge
ment of repeated cheers.
No sooner had he reached his hotel
than the former president was besieged
by the newspaper men. Promptly and
firmly he reiterated his refusal to dis
cuss any phase of American politics or
other affairs, adding that he would
stick to his announced policy through
out his European tour.
Any statements purporting to have
come from him would be unauthorized,
he said.
The expected arrival of Mr.. Roose-
welt has created considerable excite
ment among Neapolitans, who since
his brief sojourn here in April of last
year, mad promised to give him a
hearty welcome on his return.
Earlier Than Expected.
The Prinz Heinrich arrived earlier
than her usual hour, but the crowds
had discounted this possibility and
were not taken by surprise. At his
a messenger from Mayor Nathan of
Rome, bearing an invitation from the
municipal authorities, who wished to
give a dinner and reception in his
H. f(r-vl L
the invitation and fixed the date for
Wednesday evening next.
Following this reception he will
leave for spezia. Otherwise there will
be no change in the program arranged
for his visit in Rome.
When the Prinz Heinrich was sight
ed this morning the docks of San Vim
cenzo and the Immacolatella, the
along the Via Caracciolo were crowd |
ed. On many houses the italian COL |
ors waved alongside the stars and
stripes. A large number of boats fly |
ing the American and Italian flags and |
carrying citizens of both countries |
went out to meet the steamer.
The morning was matchless and Mr.. !
Roosevelt had a splendid view of the |
bay as the vessel drew in between the /
promontory OF PosiliDo and the Sor- |
rento peninsula. In the near distance !
were Capri, Ischia and Procida, while /
Vesuvius, threatening and majestic. i
when the former president stopped |
here on his way to Africa, the police |
took extraordinary measures not only |
to protect his person. but to avoid any |
unpleasant incident during his stay in |
the city.
As the steamer moved slowly into the |
harbor the crowds on shore burst into
cries of Long live Roosevelt
The excitement grew when the
statesman could be distinguished on
deck. From all sides came saIutes and
cheers, while hats and handkerchiefs
and fia5s were waved. 1t must have
seemed like a home coming to Mr..
for the American colors
could be seen from the Bay of Santa
Lucia to the heights of the Vomero
The formal reception was carried out
as planned, Mr.. Roosevelt receiving
first his countrymen, then representa-
Lives of the municipality of Naples
after which he acknowledged the pop
llar welcome. The landing and drive
to the Excelsior hotel, where apart
nents for the family had been reserved
Dy Mrs Roosevelt during her earlier
visit to Naples. We're accomplished
without any untoward happening.