The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-24
A SOCIAL JAR.
Diplomatic Circles in Washington
Are Disturbed Thereby.

Are Disturbed Thereby.
From the Chicago Times Herald Qnd).
Washington Feb. 1.-THE promotion Of
w. w. Rockhin, from third to first as
sistant secretary of state has brought
to the surface a social disagreement of
long standing between that gentleman
and the French ambassador, NJ. Patenotre.
The trouble began in the capital of the
Flowery Kingdom some years ago. AT
that time Mr.. Rockhill was engaged in
Pekin in private enterprises and NJ. Pa
tenotre represented the French govern
ment at the court of China's emperor.
Mr.. and Mrs. Rockhill became acquaint-
ed with the French diplomat, and M. Pa
tenotre occasionally called on his Ameri-
can friends to while away the tedium o.
his sojourn in the celestial kingdom.
Their relations were cordial for some
time Then they were broken as u result
of a call which M. Patenotre made to the
Rockhill's home. The day he chose for
his visit was a warm, sultry one, and Mrs.
Rockhiu, dressed in cool garments, was
chatting with lady friend on the veran-
da facing the court around which the
house centered NJ Patenotre's card was
present to Mrs. Rockhill by the servant,
and she sent word to him asking to be
excused The French diplomat it is said,
failed to take the hint and gave mes
sage to the servant for Mrs. Rockhill,
which is said to have been uttered in
words something ike INeSes
Tell Mrs. Rcckhill have come long
way. 1t is hot When you say it is M.
Patenotre the ladies will receive me-"
Mrs. Rockwell, however, was not dress
ed to receive gentlemen, and, it is said,
that after some delay, the servant return
ed with some startling information for the
French minister. The reply was evident
ly not intended to be delivered verbatim,
but the footman apparently thought he
was doing his duty when he repeated lit
orally what Mrs. Roc1hill told him.
n Dot .A~af hrf Tres oh, -
dead" was the instruction given to the
footman and he is said TO have obeyed to
the letter.
nothing more of the Rockhills until that
family came to Washington early in the
present administration and found M. Pate
notre here as the ambassador of the
French republic. Mr.. Rockhill was first
made chief clerk of the state department.
In this position he saw little of NJ. Paten
otre. But he was promoted to the office of
third assistant secretary of state shortly
after he had assumed his duties at the de-
partment and then he was thrown more in
contact with the diplomatic corps.
Until the present social season began
Mr. and Mrs. Rockhill avoided NJ. Paten-
otre as much as possible. Within the past
few months, however, they were invited
to several dinners at which NJ. Patenotre
was also a guest. NJ. Patenotre is said to
have acted in a manner which Mr. Rock
hill considered ungentlemanly, and to have
studiously neglected to tender even the
most formal courtesies to Mrs Rockhill.
Mr.. Rockhill let the matter slip by unno-
ticed on the first occasion, although in
dignant at the affront his wife received.
It's repetition on another occasion how
ever accentuated his anger, and when NJ
Patenotre again repeated his discourtesy
at a third function he thought it about
time to bring the matter to a stop Accord
fngly, he wrote communication to NJ
Patenotre informing that diplomat in eff
fact that I'm future eve Will have not only
no social but no official relations When bus
mess transactions are necessary between
us you will wait until / leave the depart
ment and arrange through the official next
in rank below me-"
Before forwarding the letter to NJ Pate
notre, Mr. Rockhill, it is said, laid IL be-
fore the President and Secretary of State
who both approved Of his action in writ
ing the letter and told him to send ii
N. Patenotre received the communica-
tion in due season. He Is said to have
become very indignant at its contents,
and when diplomatic day rolled around
went to the state department and saw
Secretary Olney with the object ia view
it is alleged, Of lodging a complaint
against Mr.. Rockhl as an official Of the
department He took the letter from his
pocket and Is said to have asked the sae-
rotary to read IL. Mr.. Oiney Informed
him that he knew the contents Of the mis-