Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-02
||ONA Falls 70
warm 70 WILSON
GREETING IN HAWkEYE STATE
n DECLARED TO HAVE BEEN
SOMEWHAT ICY.
CHIEF INTEREST cENTERs
IN WHITE HOUSE MlsTREss
Mrs. Ntitson More Than Shares At
tentipn ard Curiosity OF Crowds at
Dss MoinSs-Member Of Wilson
Party Complains Of chilIiness Of
Reception.
IBy a Staff Correspondent

by a. - tdIl iCOTTeSpOIlueul.I
Des Moines, Feb. 2.-Thousands of
fluttering flags and burst of tu-
multous applause greeted President
Wilson as he stepped before an audi
tence of 10000 enthusiastic Iowans at
the coliseum, last night to deliver mis-
message on national preparedness.
1t was a splendid gathering-one Of
the largest to greet the president on
his tour of the middle west-and It
. gave the chief executive the closest
attention, but frequently interrupting
with generous applause when the
president denounced the men who
preached war or declared that altho
he was an apostle of peace he would
not buy peace lat the expense of the
honor and integrity of the United
States."s E
But as the president finished his adj
dress, which had occupied just fifty
five minutes, there was but q faint
wave of applause, some clapping OF
hands and shuffling Of feet as the
great crowd arose as of one accord.
bent on securing a glance at the FIRST
lady of the land" as she left box at
the side of the stage. The band in the
gallery, which struck up the national
anthem, completely drowned out the
applause, and as the president and his
party left the stage, the house became
hushed
Reception Is Cold.
at is the coolest reception the presi-
dent has received since we left Wash
ington," declared a press correspond
ent, who is accompanying the presi-
Dental party. y
The closing words of the president.
probably the finest of the entire dis
course, failed to arouse any enthusiasm
and Mrs. Wilson's presence more than
divided attention with the chief execu-
tive's scholarly appeal.
Curiosity, apparently, had drawn a
large percentage. If not a majority Of
those present. and Mrs. Wilson was the
center of attraction. The crowd
showed more interest in the mistress
of the White House than in her il
lustrious husband and as the coliseum
erlptied, conversation concerned the
presidents bride rather than the presi-
dents grafton s-eH
Many there were who had come to
hear the appsalEf for preparedness and
republicans and democrats alike ape
plauded the declarations Of the presi-
dent, but the lack of enthusiasm at the
close. remarked on by so many. left
the impression. that the appeal had
failed Of its purpose.
Seek Cause Of slciness.
The apparent lack of interest in the
issues was freely, discussed in news
paper offices and hotel Hobbies long af-
ter the president had left Des Moines.
There was chilliness at Davenport
this afternoon" declared prominent
democrat who had followed the presi-
dent across the state. "The crowd was
small for a city of that size and aside
from the noisy greeting on his appear
ance, the president was not given the
hearty welcome which should have
been accorded him as he entered the
state
Another attempted to explain the re-
sception at Davenport by saying the
hour was not suspicious for business
men and workmen could not leave
their activities. and that many re-
manned at home because of the ex-
tremely cold weather.
The lack of enthusiasm at Des
Moines was attributed to various
causes. Some said it was due to apa-
thy in Iowa. others declared the pres
ence OF Mrs Wilson had tended to de-
tract the interest in the presidents
speech, and others limited broadly that
sentiment ia favor of Iowa's "favorite
SON. overshadowed all interest in the
president or his address.
Hotels Are Crowded.
Hundreds of Iowans. from all sec
lions Of the state. flocked to Des
Moines for the meeting. Hotels were
crowded and late arrivals were COM
PEELED to accept improvised sleeping
quarters in sample rooms, or forced to
seek shelter in the cheaper lodging
houses outside the business district.
The crowds stormed the Coliseum
early and the doors were thrown open
long before the announced time Of
opening. At $50, the hour set for adj
uniting the public, every seat in the
great hall was occupied and the doors
were locked. The crowd then before
the doors was undoubtedly larger than
that in the building. The crush be-
came to great that guardsmen were
ordered to clear the street and disperse
the crowd.
Many arriving on late trains were
unable to gain entrance to the build
Ing and were compelled to return home