Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-07-16
ASTOR IN THE WRONG.


A dispatch from from London says
William Waldorf Astor has gone to
MarieDb bad amid storm of unpopular
ity, owing to the Prince of Wales hav-
ing declared him totally in the wrong
in his insult to Sir Berkeley Milne at
CliVedeD.
A correspondent gives further inter
esting particulars az to how the Incl
dent arose. The lady who invited Sir
Berkeley 10 Mr.. Astor's concert was
the Countess of Oxford, formerly Miss
Louise COrbin, of New York.
As the Countess knew MIR. Astor in
,imstely and as the Earl OF Oxford was
not able to go to the concert, the Coun-
tess took Sir Berkeley Milne instead.
Sir Berkeley was announced in his own
name. The colloquy with MIR. Astor
heretofore published ensued.
Mr.. Asior sDgrily said, as Sir Berke-
lev was leaving, that he would publish
the circumstances 10 the Pail Mall Ga
zette.
Sir Berkeley Milne actually sent let
Ter later explaining the circumstances
and apologizing. asking MIR. Astor not
TO make public mention of the incident,
AS the lsdy's name might be dragged
into it. Ne .ertheless Mr.. Astor made
the publication.
The affair has created a furious feel
ing against Mr.. Astor, especially among
military and naval officers, who treat
toe insult to S Berkeley Mill g as an o.
front to their profession.
The naval and military club commit
toe, acting at the instance of the Duke
of York, wrote to Mr.. Astor complain
inp that Sir Berkley Milne had been
treated contrary to the usages of polite
soc.e,y, ard suggesting an apology.
| But As.or reioined that lie would recog-
uize the intervention of no club or q 1y-
| BODY. as the matter was purely personal.
| If Sir Berkeley Min had grievance he
| mad q remedy in the Courts OF law,
said Mr.. Astor.
This attitude, though technically
correct, still further iDfiamed the feel
ing against Astor. The Duke of York
brought the facts of the correspondence
upder the notice OF the Prince OF Wales,
who has written Sir Berkeley Milne
and caused it to be known that he coE'
siders Mr.. Astor's conduct uDpardoDa-
| ole.
The insult to the Countess OF Oxford
ls one OF the worst features OF the IN
cident and is the one which effects Sir
| Berkeley Milne more than anything else,
as his own position in society is above
any possibility of damage at MIR. Astor's
hands.
Having been commander Of the late
Queens yacht her Majesty has interest
cd herself in the affair, being informed
# the circumstances by the Duke OF
York.
Mr.. Astor's only known motive is his
| Jealous apprehension that he was
| thought not TO know his own guests.
| The Earl of Hsrdwick, who repre-
,ents the feeling OF smart society, COM
menting on the incident, says 1T is a
yross violation OF the etiquette and re-
,pectable traditions hitherto governing
ne British press. If the owners Of
newspapers were TO initiate Mr.. Astor
Oy using their property to insult the in
| dlvidual with whom they have quar-
relied and advertise their own want ol
breeding and hospitality, our journals
would sink to the level of the organs OF
no bouIevards. We only regret that
his gallant officer so far forgot his
iignity as to accept second hand in-
yitation TO the house of purse proui
American, whose dollars could not save
uim from the contempt of his country
men. If Mr.. Astor wishes his enter
ailments exclusive his desire is likely
| o be gratifed in the future beyond his
expectations"