Speech of welcome of M. Jérome Salomon, Mayor of Port au Prince, on the arrival of Mr. Knox, April 3, 1912.

Excellency: To-day offers an occasion of great joy to the city of Port au Prince. The fame of a fine and active intelligence which preceded your occupancy of the eminent post you now fill would alone have rendered you worthy of the most cordial reception on our part, but to your brilliant personal qualities is added your official title, which renders your visit of infinite value to us.

Often the most profound sympathy takes its origin in a mark of attention. In knowing each other, societies, as individuals, develop and strengthen their bonds of friendship. Therefore, Mr. Secretary, your thought of traveling in certain countries of this hemisphere was a happy one. Within a short time, by a supreme and superb effort of man’s genius, the dream which the Indian previously cherished in his native imagination—an interoceanic canal—will become a living reality.

Cities, until now remote, will cease to be such. But with the geographical rapprochement an intercommunication of spirit should be effected in order to attain that excellent relationship of “good neighborliness, mutual aid, consideration, and confidence” of which you spoke two years since in your masterly address at Philadelphia.

Human demonstrations are of supreme worth when directed by the heart. It is indeed the heart which directs at this time the great satisfaction felt in this capital at your presence and that of the interesting personages accompanying you.

We are especially appreciative of the flattering tribute rendered us in affording us the pleasure of greeting, in conjunction with yourself, Madam Philander Knox, whose charming kindliness and courteous grace shine with such splendor in your magnificent Washington receptions, and which were so admired on January 1, last, in the superb dwelling of the Pan American Union.

We hope that your excellency will take the same pleasure in your sojourn here as we do in your friendly testimonial toward the first city of this Republic.