New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-22
A QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE
SIR JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE AND THE
GRANT DAY CEREMONIES.
THU BRITISH AMBASSADOR SAYS HE HAS MADE
NO DEMANDS WHATEVER.

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.1
Washington. April 1.-THE question OF precedence
Of foreign Ambassadors at the Grant memorini
ceremonies next Tuesday is shorn OF its difiicul-
ties by the Ambassador Of Great Britain Inc
absurd statements TO the contrary I'm regard to the
position taken by the Ambassador have no founda-
ton IN fact AS the dean Of the Diplomatic Corps
OF course Sir Julian Pauncefote speaks Tor the
corps. As to making any demands IN regaro
TO the train carrying the foreign representatives
TO New-Yorls or the precedence at the ceremonies
the Ambassador said to-day: These statements
are absolutely untrue 1 have had no communica-
ton with anybody about the train, and have made
no request much less demand 10 go over on the
train with the President. 1t seems too ABSURD 10
call for contradiction. Neither have maze any
demand In regard TO precedence at the ceremonies
This is not question for the Department OF state
but one that rests wholly with the committee IN
New-York. The ceremonies are purely a municipai
function. and the Diplomatic Corps will go over
as a body. the guests OF tho city OF New-forK'
Then Sir Julian added, laughingly; And we nave
nothing TO say about the train, for we are quite
sure we shall get over comfortably and on time
1t will be seen that the Ambassador Oh urea'
Britain places the responsibility OF properly OBJ
served etiquette in New-York with the Committee
Of ARRANGEMENTS From his point OF view the
Department Of State has nothing to do with the
question Of precedence at the ceremonies Inc Dc
partment OF state holds the same opinion ana also
places the responsibility in Ncw-fork "A MEMBER
of the committee came over to Washington for the
nurpose OF getting some advice or instruction on
the question, but the Department declined to act
in the matter or say anything that could be con-
strued as official 1t is understood, however tha'
the member Of the committee got some intmation
as TO what would be the correct etiquette on this
occasion.
II Is pretty we'll known that Sir Julian Paunce-
fote holds to the etiquette OF giving the Ampassa-
dors precedence over everybody except the Presi-
dent of the United tSates. According to this, on
Tuesday the Diplomatic Corps as body Wouiu ne
placed on the right OF the President, whhe the
Vice-Presdent, the Cabinet and other American
officials would be placed the left OF the fresi-
dent This is the etiquette observed IN France
where Ambassadors take precedence over every
one except the President of the Republic In Eng
land Ambassadors take precedence over every one
except persons of royal blood To be sure. there Is
no Vice-President In France, and JUST no" inc
vexed question is OF precedence between the
Vice-President and the Ambassadors Sir Julians
point is taken on the ground that an Ambassador
Is the direct or personal representative OF his SOW
ereign therefore he is entitled to the Same place
which would be accorded to tho sovereign "heh
the President Of the French Republic delegates an
officer to represent him ut any function that OIL
ncer receives the same place. and then, like the
President himself, takes precedence over e'eS
body including Ambassadors. ,u,,.
Sir HIlan's stand is made on the broad lines whlcn
AT Washington but the status or American Ainuas-
sailors abroad. 1t Is the principle OF reclprocly 10y
which American Amba abroad might claim am
and would receive the same precedence, rlshts aLu
honors as foreign Ambassadors receive at W Wa
iIgton II will be remembered that NIT. OIney,
when Secretary OF State held this Wow ana carried
Il out at a dinner party last season: When Secre,
tary and Mrs. Olney gave their .Capinet dinner
in honor of President and Mrs. Cleveland, besides
the members Of the Cabinet circle there were tho
Vice-President and the Ambassador OF Great Brit
ain. When the company went In to dinner tho
President Of course, sat on the right or Mrs Oiney
The question of precedence was then decided by CIV
ing 10 the Ambassador the second place OF honor,
on Mrs Olneys left and the third place to the Vice
President 1t made something Of q stir at the time
I'm official circles although Vice-President Steven
son said nothing about 1t II would seem that
neither the Ambassado OF Great Britain nor Secre-
tary Olney regarded the Vice President In the light
OF a possible President. but simply as the presiding
officer of the Senate.
However satisfactory this may have been to
Vice-Presdent Stevenson. 1t Is certain that Vice
President Hobart differs with Sir Julian and Mr..
Olney. No calls have been exchanged between tho
Vice Presiden: and the Ambassadors with the ex-
cepton OF the Ambassador OF Germany, who made
the first call Mr. Hobart, 1t Is said that the Vice.
President is not inclined to go over TO New-York
with the Senate body, but holds that his place
is with the President on the Presidents train. This
would indicate that when out Of the Senate Mr..
Hobart regards his position az that Of Vice-Presi-
dent of the United States. In this view great many
people will agree with him.