The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-07-01

San franciscol, in teStitying before n
parliamentary committee this week,
brought home with startling force the
rottenness OF the material supplied to
the army. He declared that after pay
ing an extra price for shoes for the
battalion. after one marcn they were
like paper bags. with shreds Of leather
inside" and you could easily put your
finger through ;he majority Of the
soles."
An amusing story is current regard
ing Harry Beaumont. one Of the best
dressed London clubmen. who married
Miss Jessie Fellowes. OF New York. and
went TO South Africa as an officer Of
the Cheshire Yeomanry. II is said that
he requisitioned a Boer house for his
own use. but Before occupying it. he
''showered the building with insect
powder" and "drenehed 1t with eau de
cologne"
How tirsd the people Of England are
becoming Of such kid-gioved methods
of warfare could be judged the other
night. when Sir Evelyn Wood. the ad.
jutant-general to the forces, who is
VIGOROUSLY infiu snced by feminine ad-
vice. received a hostile reception at the
hands Of such broad-minded body as
the Institution OF Mechanical Engin-
eers. Somewhat on these lines, Sir
Claude NJ. Macdonald. the British min
lister to China, is coming in for critI-
cism. 1t is frequently said that he is
a better hand at afternoon teas than
in preserving the empires interests in
China. A local paper at Tien Tsin.
once said 1t was evident Sir Claude's
motto was Il do not care what her
flag is, so long as she is 'air."
1t was not generally known that last
September Sir Claude Macdonald was
suffering so much from heart disease
and other complications. that he could
scarcely walk hundred yards.
Real gaiety reigned this week for the
first time this season. Heretofore the
festivities have been few and far be-
tween. and Of a rather forced order.
But during the last few days. with the
arrival Of the khedive Of Egypt. ba-
zaars. Entertainments. the concert and
countless dinners, London has taken on
its old-time aspect for this time of
year. The Americans here have taken
2 conspicuous share in the festivities.
Mrs. Mackay's house which had so long
been closed on account of mourning
in the family. was reopened Thursday
With q concert. Mrs. Maekay received
her guests at the top Of the historic
staircase which was once in an Ital-
ian palace. With her vas her daugh-
ter, the Princess Colonna, and her
daughter-in-law. Mrs. Clarence Mack
ay. Most of the notable persons in
English and American society were
present. iha
Mrs. William Waldorf Astor. who al
so lives in Carlston- House Terrace,
gave musicale The same night. The
most lavish entertainment of the week
however was Mrs. Bischoffsheim's din
ner party for the Prince Of Wales
Wednesday. The papers announce that
it cost over $4,000.
The afternoon reception Of Mrs. Jo-
seph H. Choate was as crowded as ev-
er. Many Americans were present.
Lady Randolph Churchill is seen al
most everywhere and has been con-
stantly congratulated on her approach
ing marriage to Lieutenant CORVALLIS
West. and the announcement that the
Young lieutenant had been ordered back
/ t. South Africa came as a surprise. An
other American woman seen at almost
all of the most fashionable entertain
ments is the Duchess Of Marlborough,
who is wearing the Vanderbilt pearls
and a massive diamond coronet. In