The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-15
LONDON FULL
 OF AMERICANS ? OfuSiOn of Entertainments by
 New York Society CHOATE DINNER 4 TRIUMPH
Bradley Martins Will Give Very EIab- crate Dinner at Cheste erfield Gar dens Which Will Rival the
 Famous Ball.

London. June 14.-Seldom has London seen such profusion of American enter tainments a9 occurred this week The greatest international social event of the the season was tho dinner Of Joseph II. Chcate the United States ambassador and Mrs Choate to King Edward and Queen Alexandria on Wednesday, and since the arrival of the United States special ambassador to the coronation, Wbitelaw Reid, all officials have been busy leaving cards at the residence of Americas special envoy.
 Mrs. Croker end her two step-daugh- ters, the Misses Rutherford. have been entertaining at Cartridges. Gen. John W. Clous has been hobnobbing wltr Lord Roberts snd other English arny digni- taries, and Gen. Joseph Wheeler, United States Consul -Ge neral Henry Clay Evans, the members of the American polo team and their supporters, notably James R. Keene, are frequently Geen at social gath erir gs.
 President Roosevelt's two sisters, Mrs. W. Sheffield Cowles and Mrs. Douglas Robinson, have been overwhelmed with
 
 entertainments at the house they have taken in Grosvenor Crescent. The Mack avs, Bradley Martins, Wahrs, Marlbor- oughs and almost every one of London's well known Americans is seen nightly at the opera, afterwards fitting from one ball to another.
 Bradley-Martins Will Entertain.
 June 2S will be a gala night for the American colony. The Bradley Martins will give a very elaborate dinner at their house in Chesterfield Gardens which Is likely to outrival the luxuriance of the famous Bradley Martin ball. The same night Mrs. John w. Mackays Carlton house terrace mansion will be the scene of big dinner, while also on the same night Reginald Ward will give a dim ar of eighty covers. On the following night Oglevy Hayes will entertain.
 A curious story is being circulated re- garding the Duke of Somerset and the king at the last court When His Majes- ty made the 1onnd of the select circle he passed close to the Duke of Somerset, who made a careful obeisance. Either the king did not see him or he was pre- occupied. However 1t was, His Majestey without acknowledging the obeisance beckoned to some one almost directly be- hind the duke and asked him to come to the private royal supper. The person ad- dressed happened to be nobody, as re- gards rank, and the Duke of Somerset, who is the fifteenth duke of that name, the title dating from 1546, was very wroth. He went home and wrote letter. saying he regretted his sovereign saw fit to dis regard him so publicly. The kings secre- tary answered the letter, saying 1t was all a mistake and would not occur again. Society gossip adds that the Duke and Duchess of Somerset say it certainly will not recur as they have no intention of again attending court.
 Considering that London's streets are already bedecked for the coronation with festoons, flags and arches, though sadly bedragged by rain, 1t is small wonder that the king fills the center of the stage, pop ular thought and society gossip. Prior to the dinner of MT. and Mrs. Choate, 1t had been the custom of those meeting their majesties at private houses to kiss hands," but His Majesty sent special word that he desired that this ceremony be not observed when he set foot on Am erican soil, which MT. Choate and house Is supposed to be. The omission created considerable comment among the English guests but it was no small relief to the Americans.
 Relations Improved.
 The relations between King Edward and the premier, Lord Salisbury, do not seem to improve. According to general belief among members of the house of commons the king wants Lord Salisbury to dissolve parliament after the corona ton and Ego to the country, otherwise have a general election, and the premier has refused point blank. He apparently sees no reason why the government 1t fr11if nf he victory for the next few years. The king, on the other hand and he Is supposed to be much influenced by Lord Rosebery, believes in the ancient custom that the death of the sovereign involves a disso- lution of parliament King Edward Is the first sovereign whose accession has not been followed by a mechanical disso- lution. The king is understood to take the standpoint that this is not his par lament it having been elected prior to his succession, apart from any political prejudices he wishes to feel that the house of commons has been elected by the people under his rule. according to all precedent. oS strong has this report gained ground. that the party organiza- tions are already taking steps tenta- lively to elect candidates for the various seats, though the highest officials seem to have no definite idea of how the strug- gle between the aged premier and the new sovereign will end. The liberals are playing a watching game. If the gov ernment decides to dissolve parliament it will be met with the bitter opposition of the liberals, who will then openly de- clare that the royal prerogative has been abused.
 In this contention they will have gen. eral support far apart from the merits of the case, scarcely ary members of what is comparatively new parliament to so soon go through the expense and wcrry of another general election.
 Lowering Price of Seats.
 Spectators in the streets coronation seats who at first were charging eXor- bitant prices are now lowering the m by leaps and pounds. A general slum is setting in. The churches have alI let their grounds to speculators in stands for a lump sum. Consequently they will not suffer from tho slump.
 A secret emergency door Is being built in West Minister Abbey. The location Is known only to their n.ajost'es and few other persons so that in case of panic during the coronation services they can get immediate egress.
 King Edward, Queen Alexandria the