Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-26
LIONS DODGED DUTY
Col. RooseveIt's Little Joke
With Americans at Cairo.
RECEPTION AT HIS HOTEL
Cheers and Singing of my Country
'Tis of Thee" Mark Ovation.
VISITS MOSQUE UNIVERSITY
Former President Inspscts Ancient
Tombs and Rides Over Desert On
Khedive's Favorite Camel.


CAIRO. Egypt. March o6-"Not lion
did his duty With this declaration de-
livered in mock gravity. former Presi-
dent Roosevelt concluded his informal
remarks at this mornings reception TO
fellow-citizens from America. The Joke
was not lost and caused a hearty laugh.
in which the speaker joined.
The reception was held In the beautiful
gardens adjoining the Shepheards Hotel
and as early as 8 O'Clock a crowd was
there. A temporary platform had been
erected, and this was decorated with
American flags and palms prettiiy ar
ranged. When Mr.. Roosevelt appeared
he received a noisy ovation. The cheers
were followed by the singing Of My
Country 'Tis of Thee"
Col. Roosevelt said that he would not
make a speech. but wished TO say that
he was glad of the opportunity To meet
fellow-countrymen. He was glad. he
said, to see America in the east. Then
he assured them that the lions in Africa
had not accomplished the mission jok
ingly imposed upon them.
A line was formed, and. passing the
platform, every one of the crowd, in
which women predominat ted, shook hands
with Col. Roosevelt and received a per-
sonal greeting. This over. another cheer
was given and once more MY Country
'Tis of Thee" was sung. Following the
reception Mr.. Roosevelt went TO his
apartments and prepared for the visit to
Al-Azhar University.
Strange Sights in Mosque.
In his visit to the mosque Al-Azhar.
which In SSS was turned into a university
Col. Roosevelt was accompanied by Mrs.
Roosevelt, Kermit and Miss Ethel and a
few others. A number Of American tour
lists seized the opportunity to inspect the
mosque when the invited party was re
ceived. At the gate OF the barbers' the
visitors were detained until commodious
yellOw-colored shoes could be tied over
their boots, as the feet of infidels are not
permitted to desecrate the Mohammedan
floors. A thorough inspection of the
mosque was made Col. Roosevelt being
especially interested In the ancient carv-
ings, the Korans which had been the per-
sonal property OF past khedfves and other
celebrities and the wealth of curious Ub-
jects in the museum
Passing through the court, they found
compartments at either side filed with
-
and in the university quarter great
number of students studying the Koran.
The Roosevelts and Ambassador and
Mrs. Straus were guests OF the khediye
at luncheon at the palace. In the after
noon they visited the museum of Arab
art. Tonight there will be reception and
dinner at the American agency and later
the Americans will be present at vene-
tian fete at Shepheard's Hotel
Had a Busy Day Yesterday.
Up with the sun yesterday after a rest
full night, Col. Theodore Roosevelt and his
party were early astir in preparing for a
visit to the metropolis OF Sakkara, where
are the wonderful tombs of various kings
Of Thy and of the Apis bulls. A portion
of Thursday night was spent In viewing
the sphinx by moonlight, and Col. Roose-
welt said that the weird sight had been
thoroughly enjoyed by himself and his
family II was the most interesting thing
he had seen during his trip to Africa.
Last night Col. Roosevelt and his family
returned to Cairo dined with the Ameri-
can consul general, Mr.. Iddings. and later
attended banquet rendered him by Sir
Eden Gorst, the British agent and consul
general in Egypt.
Col Roosevelt dominates the thought
of all Cairo. Every one is watching his
movements. and his sayings are OF IN
tense interest. Lionlzing the Hon hunter
Is the supreme occupation OF the noul-
Shepheard's Hotel, where Col. Roosevelt
and his party are stopping, is besieged b.
curious crowds. and the police have diff
Guilty in keeping the streets near the hotel
open for traffic.
Americans Flocking to Cairo.
Americans have fiocked In during the
last few days for the purpose OF welcom
ing the former President. and they form
u
Three hundred of them yesterday sent
him an address Of welcome. congratu-
lating him on fis safe return to civiliza-
ton.
Among the arrivals were Prince Eitel
Frederick. son of the German emperor.
and Wu Ting-fang, former Chinese Min
lister to the United States. who Is on the
way home. The latter hopes to see Col.
Roosevelt before he proceeds on his jour
ney.
Mai. +. K. Watson, pasha, aid de camp
to the khedive, who met Col. Roosevelt
n wear ago at Port Said, was an early
calar at the Mena house yesterday. He
paid the respects of the khedive to the
American huntsman, and tendered to him
the use of the khedive's special camel
corps for the eight-mile ride across the
desert to Sakkara- Such tender always
is q. special mark OF favor, and Col.
Roosevelt accepted it with much pleas
IRE. The colonel and Kermit each rode
one Of the animals over the dreary waste
to the metropolis, but Mrs. Roosevelt
and Miss Ethel chose q more comfortable
sand cart.
Visit Ancient Tombs.
Arriving at the tombs Of the Bulls of
Apis, tho oldest OF which dates back to
150O B. c., the time OF the reign Of
Amenophis III, tho sightseers were met
by an aruheologist, who had bean tn
structed to act as their guide. With
lighted candles the Americans entered
the dark caverns and looked with inter-
est upon the hugo sarcophagi. Col.
Roosevelt evinced great curiosity IN the
methods used by the ancient Egyptians,
and piled the Egypt0logist with numerous
questions. One sarcophagus was opened
and lighted candles were lowered into II
in order to show how the mammoth
bulls were lowered into their final rest
ing places.
From the tombs of the bulls tho party
proceeded to the temples and the tomb
OF Thy. q plebeian who lived in the fifth
dynasty, but who was so esteemed that
he was permitted to marry q princess.
Their offspring became princes. here Col
Roosevelt and his family were Joined by
Oscar s. Straus. the America<p ambassa-