Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-01-14
WAT DIPLOMATS
MUST WEAR ABROAD.
Congress to be Immediately Called
Upon to Settle the Much Disputed
Question Of Court Etiquette.

WASHINGTON, D. c., january Il
Those who still adhere to the old-time
principle of republican simplicity will
probably be compelled to withstand a
shock to their feeling before the adj
journment of the present session OF
Congress, for 1t is more than possible
that that august body will be called
upon to discuss the dress question and
decide, once and for all, whether or not
1t Is permissible for the foreign repre-
sentatives of this Republic to array
themselves In garments of bright colors
when in attendance at court.
This is not the first time that this
matter has been brought to the atten-
lon of his government, but in previous
cases the application to be permitted
10 wear court regalia has some from
the representative himself, and, as the
result, the question has received little
yerious consideration. For instance,
when MI. Breckenridge was Ambassa-
dor to Russia he called for permission
to wear knee breeches at the Corona
ton OF the Gar.
This permission was granted and the
ambassador appeared in his kndcker-
bockers, but the matter went no FUR
ther. Now, however, 1t has been
brought once more to the front by the
fact that the Gear of Russia has is
sued, through his Minister of Foreign
Affairs, a circular that DEGREES that
henceforth a court costume shall con-
sist Of a dark blue s~wallowtail coat,
with velvet collar, gold buttons, white
or dark blue waist coat and dark blue
trousers"
This circular distinctly states that 1t
has been issued under the personal in
structions Of the Emperor himself and
1t stipulates that 1T ds intended to apply
to "all distinguished foreigners and to
all tho accredited representatives In
Russia OF such counties as have not
adopted for their diplomatdcs officers
specific uniforms and costumes"
For Finer Dress.
There can be NO doubt that this order
applies to the American representative.
It has long been realized that the plain
black evening dress worn by the m
bassadors OF the United States was o
regarded with favor In many Of the
courts of Europe. and DIT Is now stated
that similar action is about to be TAX
en- at Berlin, Vienna, The Hague, Co
~penhtagen and Brussels. AS the result
It Is scarcely probable that the matter
will not be brought before Congress at
an early date In order that some form
of dress may be adopted that will be in
accord with American views upon the
subject.
OF course 1T is quite possible that
there will be no charge in existing
laws, for, while the fact Is not gener-
ally known, there Is a law on the
statnte books that provides for just
such q court costume. The law, which
was enacted In 1S49, has never been re-
pealed, and reads as follows:
The uniform for the diplomatic and
consular represe ntatives of the United
States to be worn in all visits Of cere-
monies Of tho following parts and ap-
pendages, namely: A blue cloth dress
coat single breasted with standing col
lar, having the front from the collar
to the extremity OF the skirt, and the
collar, the cuffs and the pocket flaps,
embroidered in gold, not more than
two inches wide, representing a vine of
olive leaves.
There should be upon the coat ten
gilt Navy buttons in front, one Navy
button on each side of the cape, four
ON each cuff, four under each pocket
flap, one on each hip, and on the folds,