The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-11
DIPLOMATS ENTERTAINED
The Presidents Annual Reception
TO Foreign Dignitaries.
Splendid scenes Within The White
uouse ON The Occasion of ono OF
the Chief State Functions of the
Scn.on- The Marriage of Miss
Miles and Colonel Rcbcr.


United States, in the person OF its Presi-
dent. annually greets the whole world
through the representatives of the nations,
was held at the White House last night
This function is the most formal in which
the Government of the United States is
socially concerned, and upon precedence
thereby established hangs many a hopeful
heart This yearly courtesy. apart from its
official significance of international good
will, is the most interesting. from a spec
taeular point of view, in the social calendar
of administrative functions, the dress and
picturesquely with tie conventional garb
of our own.
The President and Mrs. Mckinley were
assisted in receiving the dignitaries of the
Diplomatic Corps and the Army and Navy
of the United States by the ladies OF the
Cabinet, there being an unusually promi-
nent assemblage of maids and matrons OF
this coterie banked, like flowers, behind
the line"
The White House Is never seen 10 better
advantage than at night, when the cold
whiteness of the exterior is brought cut in
cameo-like silhouette by the radiance of
the blue and yellow glow of electric lights.
Official aides were in constant evidence
and carried out the details of the reception
in their perfection of arrangement. Aside
from the White House guards, there were
details of police at every entrance to the
grounds and Mansion, while the latter was
guarded as IL the safety Of a State we're at
stake. At the main entrance was located
policeman with huge megaphOne, while
in the grounds before him he had a mate.
These two bawled in stentorian tones the
numbers of the hundreds of carriages as
they were required. and the Jehus ear that
was deaf 10 that thundercus summons was
not in evidence last night.
For perhaps the only time in twelve
month, the White House Grounds were
empty of strollers, sbut in their stead there
were banked scores OF carriages. deposit
ing their freight of dignity and beauty.
or taking IL up again when IL had paid
It's homage to America through her Chief
Magistrate. Quite . 900 people thus paid
their respects TO the President personally
Midnight only saw the perceptible lessen
Ing OF the throng which came in greeting.
Men and women softly jostled each other
in the rose-scented fragrance Of the great
East Room, and the corridors were packed
so- want of room elsewhere.
The main yestibule, as usual, had been
transformed into a cloak room, leaving
merely an aisle through which the guests
passed on their way to the rooms beyond.
The great east parlor was thrown open.
and those who arrived early enjoyed the
pleasure OF an inspection of its splendid
decorations without experiencing the
discomforts of the crush later on. AS
usual on such occasions. the room was "a
jungle Of palms. The ceiling. studded with
electric lights cleaning through opalescent
bulbs. was festooned with smilax. that
swung in graceful loops from the prisons
OF the crystal chandeliers. Banked about
the base OF the futed columns were exotic
foliage plants, and the recesses over the
doors were filled in with leaves and grasses
il rich and varied hues. The mantels were
a mass Of bloom, the colors pink ard white,
and the mirorr rests were sblsze with fam
ing red poinsetta against a background OF
fern leaves.
In the beautiful Blue Parlor roses of
every hue bloomed in bowls and vases.
and smilax tendrils were twined about the
chandeliers. Shortly after the gates were
opened small groups OF men and women
distinguished In official and social life be-
gan TO stroll about the room, the assem-
blage growing larger, until the great doors
leading from the East Room into the cor
ridor were thrown open and trumpet ss
Lutte proclaimed that the President and his
party were about to descend the stairs.
Then the Marine Band burst into melo-
diouE crash. and to the strain OF Hail to
the Chief" the receiving group came down
the crimson carpeted steps. led by Colonel
Bingham and Major McCawley, each wear
ing the full uniform OF his rank. Having
crossed the corridor into the Blue Parlor,
Mrs. Mckinley seated herself, as is her
custom, the President standing to her left
and the ladies OF the Cabinet to her right
with Mrs. Hay occupying the post of honor.
filled by Mrs. Hobart last year All the
ladies of the receiving party were in white.
Mrs. Mekinley's gown was of heavy bro
cade. trimmed deliberately with pearl and
silver passementerie. She wore her dia-
mond necklace and white osprey tip in
her hair.
Mrs. Hays gown was OF satin. having
down the front a panel of spangled net
embroidered on each side In a pattern OF
leaves edged with gold. At the shoulder
vas large bow of turquoise velvet. which
matched the plumes in her couture.
Mrs Gage was sttlred in white MORE
enriched with silver spangles and softened
with rare laces. Artificial blossoms of a
cerise color ornsmented her corsage and
furnished an artistic touch OF color amid
the soft waves OF her hair
Mrs. Root was IN a white lace gown,
trimmed elaborately with light-blue satin,
and in her hair she Wore a knot OF blue
velvet
Mrs. Smiths gown. Of figured satin. was
paIeled with lace. She had no color about
her save the rainbow shades flashed by
magnificent sunburst of diamonds which
was fastened in the laces of her corsage.
Mrs. Hitchcock was gowned in heavy
white satin with gsrnitures of lace about
the skirt and bodice and touch OF Law
ender
Both Miss Long. daughter of the secre-
tary OF the Navy, and Miss Wilson. daugh-
ter of the Secretary of Agriculture, we're
absent from the line.
The British Ambassador as dean of the
Diplomatic Corps, was the first dignitary
to pass down the line. He wore his gor-
geous court uniform of black broadcloth
and gold lace. and was accompanied by the
ladies Of his household and the gentle
men Of his suite. Lady Pauncefote wore
blue mirror velvet nounced with silver
sI.ngled tulle, and white tips in her hair
Baron FaVa ard the attaches of the Italian
Embassy followed. The German Ambas-
sador. picturesque in top boots and scarlet
and blue CLOTH came next in lire with
the officials of the embassy. Baron Won
Sternburg presenting a splendid appearance
in a uniform OF white blue. with trappings
Of flashing silver. For the first time since
his arrival in this country the Russian
Ambassador passed down the line alone
his grandniece, Miss Cassini being kept
at home by cold. Mrs. de Wollant, the
only feminine representative of the en-
bsssy. wore an ideally graceful gown of
white crepe. strewn with full-blown pink
roses.
Sonora Azpiroz and Sonora dc Perez, the
wife and daughter OF the Mexican Ambassa-
dor, accompanied him, the former wearing