Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-01
BY REX COLLIER.

Corinto's welcome to President-elecl
and Mrs. Hoover was cordial colorfu
and sincere.
Transformed into temporary capital
the little seaport had bedecked itself
with welcome signs and American flags
and greenery. and the entire population
and hundreds of visitors were in holiday
dress for the state occasion.
The Maryland's presidential barge
tied up at the dock few minutes be-
fore IL O'Clock, and Mr.. and Mrs
Hoover. Ambassador Fletcher and other
members of the official staff proceeded
through lane of Marines to the main
| street, along which were nnassed the
| eager citizens.
! AT the intersection of the road from
| the dock and the crowded street the
party paused briefly to admire golden
statue of liberty" which greeted them
| on the corner. The statue was none
other than the person OF charming
Miss Nicaragua" beauty contest win
ner. who, swathed In golden robes. stood
| IN graceful posture atop high pedes-
| tai. Above her pretty head she held a
glittering torch Of liberty" and crown
ing her brunette locks was a golden
diadem. She smiled an acknowledge
ment OF the attention paid her, but did
law SAAoAASO pOchtiOAl
y Lines Of Marines.
The party walked rapidly down the
narrow sidewalk toward the custom
| house, facing on side street, block
from the wharf. Closely drawn lines
OF Marines in washed-out tropical khaki
restrained the surging throng from
| pushing into the street, but they did
not prevent the enthusiastic spectators
| from shouting their "vivas" as the dis
tinguished guests moved past.
| Along the street in front of the un-
ostentatious custom house were drawn
up several companies of Marines and
| national guardsmen with arms "pre-
Sented." The President-elec. touched
his hand to his head in response to the
which led from the doorway to the
second story.
1t was in small, officelike room at
the top of the stairs that President
elect Hoover met the Nicaraguan Presi-
dent, Adolfo Diaz. The smiling, smartlv-
dressed veteran Of Nicaragua's hectic
political warfare gave Mr.. Hoover a
hearty handshake and invited him to a
seat. Senior Diaz does not speak English
f1uentlv so an interpreter acted as in
termediary. Mr.. Hoover brought the
br1ef exchange OF pleasantries to an end
by inviting President Diaz to have
luncheon with him aboard the Mary
land. The invitation was accepted
readily.
From the custom house the party re-
traced its steps part of the way to the
Hotel Lunone. wher: Mr.. Hoover was
to meet President-elect Moncada. The
cool lobby of the hotel was a welcome
relief from the hot sun baking down
on the crowds outside. To the left of
Mr. Hoover as he entered the building
was a. restaurant, at one side Of which
could be glimpsed long bar doing a
rushing holiday business. Mr.. Hoover's
path led in the other direction. into q
private reception room banked with tall
palms and decorated with vases of flow
ers. In the center of the room stood a
.5-foot basket of native blossoms-the
gift of the doughty general to Americas
future First Lady.
Meet Gen. Moncada.
Gen. Moncada attired In an unmili-
| tary tropical suit of cream material.
stepped forward and was introduced 10
Mr.. and Mrs. Hoover by Minister Eber-
hardt. The general did not look at all
iormidable somehow. and be fitted quite