Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-25
VIRGIN ISLANDERS
GREET PRESIDENT
WITH ENTHUSIASM
Hoover Receives Petitions
and Memorials From Peo-
pie in Council Chamber.
CHILDREN HOLD PARADE
TO HONOR EXECUTIVE
y. S. s. Arizona Sails at 4 O'Clock
This Afternoon for Home-Party
Due Back Monday.
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands, March
25.-President Hoover came ashore on
the Virgin Islands this morning through
q line Of boats decorated with flowers
and flags TO receive an ovation from
. large crowd gathered on the docks.
Going Immediately to the Governors
house, he entered the reviewing stand
to watch a colori,ul and interesting
parade.
AS the President stepped ashore he
was greeted by Leroy Nolte, chairman
of the Colonial Council, who said: ut
gives me intense joy as a son Of the
soil Of the Virgin Islands to greet you. 1t
is the greatest occasion in history for
us. Long live democracy Hail to the
chief Hurrahl" The President bowed
in response.
Guns Boom Salute.
As the President landed guns at the
naval station doomed a salute and the
Presidents nag was run up over the
Governors house. Practically the en-
tire population Of the islands either
watched or took part in the parade.
The marching line included school
children carrying flags, and q number
Of bands.
From the reviewing stand at the Gov
errors house the President could look
across at Blackboard Castle, where ira
dition he's it the famous pirate stored
his booty, and at the fort below, which
was erected in 1871 and Is Stin used
as a government building.
DR.. Paul M. Pearson, new Governor
OF the Virgin Islands, held conference
with the President aboard the Arizona
this morning before the party dis
embarked
When the President came on deck
he was greeted by scores OF boats with
diving boys circling the battleshtp.
Receives Peoples Petitions.
Dr.. Pearson was greeted by the Cow
errors salute as ne came aboard the
After luncheon with Gov. Pearson at
the West Side Tennis Club the Presi-
dent assisted 1t tree-planting cere-
monies and paid visit TO the Colonial
Council chamber, where ne received
memorials, greetings and petitions from
ORGANIZATIONS OF the people. Later the
presidential party was taken on motor
trip 10 various points Of interest on the
island.
The Arizona Yves scheduled TO sail
&C 4 pm. for washington, which the
President and his party, including Sec
retaries Hurley and Wilbur, expect TO
reach Monday.
The Arizona's schedule placed her OF
ct. Thomas before dawn after q
quick run Of 100 miles from Ponce,
Porto Rico, where the President yester-
day afternoon babe farewell to null
titude Of Porto Ricans after two-day
visit characterized by tglmultuous recep-
lions throughout the island.
watches Cane Fires.
The run from Ponce was made q
few miles of the shore Of Porto Rico.
Along the shore, visible from the ship,
burned scores Of cane field fres, making
q strikingly beautiful picture which the
President watched for an hour before
going below and TO bed.
President Hoover regarded the visit
20 Porto Rico as most pleasant ana
profitable and he let it be known that
the sentiment expressed TO him by all
classes Of Porto Rican leaders was IA
vorable to the present type Of govern
ment for number Of years more. He
was assured that not more than 10 per
cent OF the Porto Rican people actually
want Independence.