The silver star., 1898-01-20
Is SETTLED AT LAST.
1 QUESTIONS OF paEcEDsnor.
ris Britssh minister who wanted the,
vice President to Take mack seat Is
Sat Upon ny Hls GovernmenG

The controversy between the vico
president Of the United States and the
British ambassador over the question
Of precedence has been decided against
the Inter by his own government. and
Sir Julian and Lady Pauncefote. in
obedience to instructions from Lon
don, called at the residence of Mr.. and
Mrs. Hobart In Lafayette square last
week and were cordially received. The
next afternoon Mr.. and Mrs. Hobart
rode to the British embassy to return
the call. but unfortunately the Paunce-
fotes were not at home and they were
compelled to leave their cards.
The war began on the 9Th of March
last. Under the Cleveland admins
tration Mr.. Stevenson declined to as-
sert his prerogative, and whenever the
two men met at a social or an official
function the vice president cordially
gave the right of way to the British
ambassador and took the second seat
In the synagogue. Secretary Olney.
however, disputed Sir Julian's claims.
He contended that all diplomatic func-
dons In which the President of the
United states was not present he, as
secretary or state, represented the
President and must have the first
place. Ihere was a long discussion,
whlch terminated In II compromise. 1t
was agreed that when the two gentle
men met at the residence Of n foreign
er MIR. Olney should precede; when
they met at the residence of an Ameri-
can. Sir Julian should have the honors.
and all social affairs were arranged ac-
cordingly. When the French ambas-
sador gave a dinner party Mr.. Olney
sat at the right of the hostess. When
MI Letter entertained both gentlemen,
sir Julian had that place
Shortly after the Inauguration of
President Mckinley Sir Julian assert
ID his claims to precedence in rather
unusual manner. The late Gardiner
Hubbard gave Il dinner party in honor
ef Vice President Hobart and invited
the British ambassador The latter
requested diagram of the table In
order that he might see how the guests
were to be seated. intimating that un-
less he were given the place of honor
be would feel impelled to send his re-
yrsts. Mr.. Hubbard replied that he
had made no diagram of his table. but
that the vice president. being the guest
Df the evening, should he seated at his
light 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 a per.
sonal letter to Colonel Hay. our am
bassador In London. asking him to oh
tain from the proper authority at the
British court n definition of the rank
and status of Sir Julian Pauncefote
from the point of view of his own gov
srnment. The President took the
ground that It was very small mat
ter to quarrel over. hut at the same
time was likely to be the cause OF con-
unual annoyance and embarrassment.
and that 1t would be generous on our
part to accept the judgment and re-
Spect the wishes OF the British govern
ment. MFR. Hobart concurred In this
view. II the Oracles on etiquette In
Great Britain sustained Sir Julian In
his estimate Of his own Importance MIR.
Hobart was perfectly willing to give
way. but they did not. After due con-
alteration of the subject Colonel Hay
was unOfficially 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 mt Mr.. HO-
ba-ts residence indicates that he has
heard from home. and. like the loyal
subject that he IL. has come down
gracefully. There has been no refer
ence to the controversy In the cores
pondence of the department Of state,
nor Will II appear on the records. The
correspondence with Colonel Hay was
conducted by the President himself,
and WAS strictly personal and cOnfiden-
tial.-Chicago Record.