Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-12
DOES NOT TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER
VICE PRESIDENT HOBART.
DISPUTE OF LONG STANDING.
SIR JULIAN CALLED DOWN BY HIS
OWN GOVERNMENT.
Gracefully Accepts the Situation and
Pays u Call ut the Vice Presi-
dents Residence Steven
son. When Vice Presi-
dent, Gave Way.

Washington, Jan. 1.-THE controversy
between the vice president of the United
States and the British ambassador over the
question of precedence has been decided
against the latter by his own government.
and Sir Julian and Lady Pauncefote. In
obedience TO instructions from London,
called at the residence of Mr.. and Mrs
Hobart in Lafayette square last week and
were cordially received. The next after
noon Mr. and Mrs. Hobart rode TO the
British embassy to return the call, but ur'-
fortunately the Pauncefotes were not at
home and they We're compelled to leave
their cards.
The war began on the 5th of March last
Under the Cleveland administration MIR.
Stevenson declined to assert his preroSa-
tive. and whenever the two men met at i
social or an official function the vice pres
ident cordially gave the right OF way 10
the British ambassador and took the sec
ond seat in the synagogue. Secretary OIL
ncy, however, disputed Sir Julians claims.
lie contended that at all diplomatic func-
tions in which the president of the United
States was not present he, us secretary OF
state, represented the president and must
have the first place. There was Il long
discussion, which terminated in u COM
promise. 1t was agreed that when the two
gentlemen met at the residence of a for
ciSner Mr.. Olney should precede: when
they met at the residence of an American.
Sir Julian should have the honors, and
all social affairs were arranged according
ly. When the French ambassador gave
dinner party MIR. Olney sat at the right Of
the hostess. When Mr.. Letter entertained
both gentlemen, Sir Julian had that place.
Shortly after the Inauguration of Pres
ident Mckinley Sir Julian asserted his
claims to precedence in a rather unusual
manner. The late Gardiner Hubbard gave
III
Hobart and invited the British ambassador.
The latter requested a diagram OF the table
in order that he might see how the guests
were TO be seated. intimatinS that unless
he were given the place of honor he would
feel impeiled to send his regrets. Mr. Hub
bard replied that he had made no diagram
of his table, but that the vice president.
being the chief guest of the evening should
be seated at his right hand. \ brief note
from Sir Julian the same afternoon re-
GREETED his inability to accept MIR. Hub
bard'S invitation.
That sort of thing continued all through
the spring, and the Pauncefotes refused to
call on the vice president unless he called
on them first. on the ground that Sir Ju-
lian. being the representative of Queen
president of the United States. MIR. Ho-
bart contended that he. being the legiti-
mate successor OF the president under the
constitution, ranked with the Prince of
Wales, heir apparent to the throne of En-
gland and his view of the case was gen.
orally accepted. much to the Chagrin of the
British ambassador.
The controversy became so irritating that
President Mckinley wrote personal letter
to Colonel Hay, our ambassador in London,
asking him to obtain from the proper au-
thority at the British court a definition OF
the rank and status of Sir Julian Paunce-
fote from the point of view of his own
government. The president took the ground
that 1t was a very small matter to quarrel
over, but at the same time was likely to
be the cause of continual annoyance and
embarrassment, and that 1t would he gen.
erouS on our part to accept the Judgment
and respect the wishes of the British gov
ernment. MIR. Hobart concurred in this
view. If the oracles on etiquette in Great
Britain sustained Sir Julian in his esti-
mate of his own Importance MIR. Hobart
was perfectly willing to give way. but they
did not. After due consideration of the
| subject, Colonel Hay was unofiicially in
formed that the vice president of the Unit
ed States was correct in his contention, and
that Sir Julian would receive an intimation
that his government took that view of the
case. His recent call at Mr.. Hobarts res
idence indicates that he has heard from
home, and. like the loyal subject that he
is. has come down gracefully. There has
been no reference to the controversy in the
correspondence of the department of state.
nor will it appear on the records. The
correspondence with Colonel Hay was con-
Quoted by the president himself, and was
strictly personal and confidential