The age-herald., 1902-03-16

Washington, March 14.-(Special.) )-More Is talked of in the drawing rooms of this city than comes to the ears of the aver age Congressmen. It may seem strange to the ordinary citizen to say that the most exclusive society in this country is to be found in this city. It is official society and 1t Is not; it is the society such as Is found in all our great cities and again 1t is not. It is composed of the members of the diplomatic circle, of some of the principal members of the Cabinet, of some of the. officers of the army and navy and of some who are in no way connected with government. No one other than the foreigners, is entitled to entrance to this circle solely by con- nection with government Many senators never see 1t and few congressman. All this is strange, especially so in the Capital of a republic. However, it is so.
 Now the subject most talked of Is the American woman and one American wo- man in particular. All women are natur- ally fond of social preferment, and they chafe at the idea of woman's social as- cendancy being circumscribed by repub- lfcan theories. Miss Alice Roosevelt is the one woman about whom all are talk ing. Young, pretty, well hammered, we'll born, cultivated and attractive, she has become the most conspicuous young lady in Washington. The honor done her by the Kaiser has given her precedence similar to that of a princess. Society na- turally comedies to her as the daughter of the President. Rank means much in Washington. It means much to men, more to wom en. You will see In the con- descension of a senator's wife to con gressman's wife: an admirars daughter to captains daughter. I suppose 1t is human nature.
 Whitelaw Reid invited Miss Roosevelt to be his guest at the coronation, and the Kaiser has invited her to Berlin. The President now says his daughter Is re- ceiving too much attention and too much publicity, consequently she will not be able to accept either invitation. Her friends say that she should be able to go. If she is simple American maiden why should she not see what all England wants to see and all America would like to seeking Edward crowned. And if she can see Germany as the guest of the Emperor, why not? On the other hand if King Edward and the Kaiser desire to show to her the same regard they would to the daughter of reign ing sovereign, why not? We consider the President of the United States the equal of any king. Assume Miss Roosevelt went abroad and was not treated with profound distinction" said a lady, what do you suppose the American women would say? Why Germany could send the entire royal outfit over here and it would make no impression"
 
 The fact is the society wom en of Wash ington feel that Miss Roosevelt Is their social representative. They would like to see her in London and Berlin and they are ready to see her feted as princess. Why should we be hampered and an- noyed by your republican simplicity" said cabinet officers wife. What do we women get out of all your politics any way? You men spend your time and your money to attain posts of honor and we stay home. When you succeed why shoul| we not have some of the bene- fits? All we get and sall we want is the social success" Few, outside of this cir cle, can realize how much feeling there { is connected with holding Miss Roose- | welt back. Some would be in favor of | sending her abroad conveyed by a fleet of cruisers and battle ships. All this | greatly annoys the President who has | been fighting all his life to establish him. | self as lone of the people," He knows | the political enemies would take advant- age of the domestic situation and cry | him down. Since Mrs. Cleveland entered | the White House as abride the nation | has not had a favorite Miss Roosevelt is | becoming the ward of the nation.
 The Presidents summons has promptly | brought to, Washington the man best | qualified to give information on the Gu ban question. Governor Wood Is here, | and the beet sugar lobby is anxious. Governor Wood denies the sugar crop is sold to the trust The President is an- | xious to secure legislation for the relief of Cuba and he proposes to go at it with i his usual directness of purpose One | of the specific questions to be considered i relates to the converting of the Cuban congress early in April as provided for | by the Cuban constitution. It is not at all certain that the situation in Cuba at this time will warrant the conven- ing of the Cuban congress, although it is not clear how the governments in- | tervention can, prevent that body from meeting. The economical conditions in | the island, owing to the failure of Con | gress to provide for a reciprocity agree | ment, so closely affect plans for turn |