The sun., 1902-01-12
WASHINGTON SOCIAL TRAPS.
Tansles Caused by Questions OF Precedence
and Diplomatic Etiquette.

yeyrs has official society In Washington
been involved In such a tangle as at pres
ent. Most Of the trouble arises from qucs-
ticns OF precedence growing out OF the bill
passed by Congress settling the order OF
succession 10 the Presidency OF the members
Of the Cabinet. Other troubles arise from
the creation Of new offices. In the opinion
of some persons there is badly needed
some official who, like those at European
courts, could settle all questions OF prece-
dence with authority
The responsibility for many OF the worst
complications lies at the door of represen-
tatves OF foreign Governments ut the
American capital When Mexico raised
the rank of her envoy at Washington to
that of Ambassador the diplomat was
treated wit decided coolness by his ambas-
sadorial colleagues. The alleged cause
was some infringement Of privileges by the
Mexican Ambassador, but there was suspic-
ion that his treatment was designed as
protest against the presumption OF re-
public in creating an Ambassador.
Unless within the past year Austria
maintained no diplomatic relations with
Mexico. This led to many Incidents in
Washington, and indirectly 10 sensational
episode at a gathering at the White House
The Mexican Ambassador and the Aus
guests at State dinner rendered by the
President, and the Mexican envoy was
assigned to escort TO dinner the wife OF hls
Austrian colleague. The representative of
Mexico hestated. but finally went up and
offered his arm to the lady. She abruptly
turned her back upon him, walked over TO
chair and seated herself. When remon-
STRANGE was made she said:
For me there Is no such nation as Mexico
We do not officially admit its existence
Of afiya IL il
insult to ask me TO go in with person
who does not exits.
The matter was hastily amended by a
readjustment of the table. Not infre-
| quently, too, personal quarrels have inquired
| In official entertaining. The Mexican and
| Belgian Governments are on friendly terms
| but the former Belgian Minister at Wash
| ington conceived dislike for the Mexican
| Ambassador. and refused 20 attend any
social function at which the latter was to
be TSsH RFesen,' II d;DDsr i. to be given at which
| a number of diplomats are TO be guests
there usually precedes II voluminous
] correspondence in order TO insure Tor the
| various guests positions al the table IN
| accordance with their rank and position.
Several times American women have
transgressed etiquette in this respect.
Not long ago a hostess who had Just
| taken up her residence in Washington
and was entertaining her first dinner party
1
| had assembled that she was wholly ignor-
ant Of the intricacies Of social precedence
as governed by official rank There was
bu, one way out OF IL. The hostess boldly
took the bull by the horns.
Il haven't the faintest idea Of how you
ought to go into dinner she announced.
But those Of you who wish any thing 70 eat
had better get In some way OF the things
will be spoiled"
Fortunately. all the guests possessed
i linn af fad
| into the dining room, took such seats as
were most convenient, and the dinner was
| a success.
One of the social tangles growing out
| Of the law regarding the succession TO the
| Presidency IL found In the discussion which
has been In progress In recent years as 10
| the relative positions of the President
pro fempore Of the United States senate
and the Speaker Of the House of Repre-
| santativee When at the first dinner at
the White House following the death of
| President Hobart, President Mckin-
lev gave the place Oi honor TO SENATOR
| Frye the President pro feinPore of " Zen.
ate. Speaker Henderson 81 the llouse 81
| RsIIressn,atives was highly displearsd
| and he aftsrWard d.clined 10 attend any
dinner unless assured ~ pdNance that b"
| would have The place 81 honor.
| The tension botN b'n. Mil~- snd
| Gen. Corbin hss been Terect"d in the to'i
| world az Washing on ia a very umi'rall"
I manner ss hah al-4 the cuitroNefry ga
| sting hetVcen 'he hdh"f'nts ~ Admiral
~ hsy and Admiral simpson. lriui - =
Sere fufii"d during tbr Ninrif 81 l~si-Ol
in con.ssiurno" e th" question II Ir"o"-
| deuce sal-iiLg l"lN's'n "a" SiN'n 81 Ad-
inifal Dewey aud b"ii hiles
| Tl,s matter NaH finally -sitlsl- ln at
| great dssfss BE- any ~ il'rss s's'iHl con
| huN"Tnirr ever oan - -'Hilfd ~ lh'
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! Iaafiusnt vac established lHhH q" ill'
| NaNN llrlafttuuft The tttirial ioiui.hh'
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