The broad ax., 1898-02-26


The controversy between the vice
...eideut Of the United States and the
Pr;tIsh ambassador over the question
. nrocedence has been decided against
ne latter by his own government and
81 JuIian and Lady Pauncefote. In
Sh.dience to instructions from Lon
An called at the residence Of Mr.. and
Ne Hobart IN Lafayette square last
- and were cordially received. The
asxt afternoon Mr.. and Mrs. Hobart
-ode 10 the British embassy to return
he call. but unfortunately the Paunce-
sotes we're not at home and they were
.omDeIled to leave their cards.
The war began on the 5th OF March
,,st Under the Cleveland admins
ration Mr.. Stevenson declined TO as
s.rt his prerogative, and whenever the
tWo men met at social or an official
fupction the vice president cordially
ave the right Of way to the British
AMBASSADOR and took the second seat
m the synagogue. Secretary Olney,
howeyer. disputed Sir Julian's claims.
He contended that all diplomatic func-
fions In which the President OF the
United States was not present he, as
secretary Of state, represented the
President and must have the first
mace. There was a long discussion,
which terminated In q compromise. 1t
vas agreed that when the two gentle
men met at the residence of foreign
r Mr.. 0lney should precede; when
they met at the residence Of an Ameri-
ran. Sir Julian should have the honors.
md all social affairs were arranged &C
cordingly. When the French ambas-
Sador gave a dinner party Mr.. Olney
sat at the right Of the hostess When
Mr.. Letter entertained both gentlemen,
Sir Julian had that place
Shortly after the Inauguration Of
President Mckinley Sir Julian assert
d his claims TO precedence in a rather
unusual manner. The late Gardiner
Hubbard gave a dinner party in honor
n Vice President Hobart and invited
he British ambassador. The latter
requested a diagram Of the table in
Drder that he might see how the guests
we're to be seated, intimating that I'M
less be were given the place OF honor
be would feel impelled to send his re-
Erets. Mr.. Hubbard replied that he
bad made no diagram of his table, but
hat the vice president, being the guest
bf the evening, should be seated at his
right hand. A brief note from Sir
Julian the same afternoon regretted
bis inability to accept Mr.. Hubbard's
Invitation.
The controversy became so irritating
that President Mckinley wrote q per.
Sonal letter to Colonel Hay, our am
bassadOr in London, asking him to OBJ
ain from the proper authority at the
British court n definition OF the rank
and status of Sir Julian Pauncefofe
from the point of view of his own gov
eminent. The President took the
ground that II was n very small mat
ter to quarrel over, but at the same
time was likely to be the cause Of con-
tinual annoyance and embarrassment.
and that it would be generous on our
part to accept the Judgment and re-
gpect the wishes Of the British govern
ment. Mr.. Hobart concurred in this
view. If the oracles on etiquette in
Great Britain sustained Sir Julian in
his estimate Of his own Importance Mr..
hobart was perfectly willing to give
way, but they did not. After due con-
sideration of the subject Colonel hay
was unofhcially informed that the vice
president Of the United States was cor
rect 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.. Ho-
bart's residence indicates that he has
heard from home. and, like the loyal
subject that he Is. has come down
gracefully. There has been no refer
ence to the controversy In the cores
pondence Of the department Of state,
nor viii it appear on the records. The
correspondence with Colonel hay was
conducted by the President himself,
and was strictly personal and eonfiden-
taL-Chicago Record.