The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-27

Question of Diplomatic Precedence
Agitating Washington.

Srecial to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, April 26.-Official Wash
ington is agitated. The diplomatic corps is
about to be taken to st. Louis to witness
the exercises incident to the dedication of
the louisiana Purchase Exposition. If the
trip is made without developing some sort
of trouble that might grow into the proper
tions Of an international incident official
Washington will regain its mental equilib-
rum. But nobody is willing to predict that
such will be the case. The diplomatic
corps has been taken on journeys before
in the United States, and something always
happened. The foreign representatives en-
joy a good, old-fashioned junket with as
much gusto as Americans, but whereas the
Yankee is willing to take everything that
comes the foreigner must be handled with
kid gloves. If the name of the minister
from Dahomey is placed on the hotel regis
ter above that of the ambassador from the
Fiji islands that in itself would result i'm a
casus belli, and protocols would naturally
be exchanged between the United States
and the offended government. And so il is
that Secretary John Hay and his asso-
ciates in the State Department are uneasy
over the prospect and will not regain their
wonted composure until the diplomats have
been returned TO Washington and placed in
their various legations and embassies.
The representatives OF the government
have secured plats of the different floors of
the hotel where the diplomats will be
housed in ST. Louis. With due considera-
ton for the rank and standing of ambas-
sadors. ministers and attaches they have
carefully decided upon the size and num-
Der of rooms to be assigned to each. as
we'll as their relative location They have
also carefully planned the order in which
the carriages of the diplomats shall pro-
fk,n coll nf q live of ooh
men and footmen. That these duties can
not De accepted lightly is indicated by for
mer experiences in handling the diplomatic
corps as corps.
Again are the gossips talking about a new
Republican leader in the next House of
Representatives. Nothing has happened so
far which would indicate that the majority
will make any change in this respect AS
weak as the Republicans will be on the
floor of the House i'm the next Congress 1t is
evident that custom and precedent will save
Payne ct al. from rundown. Uncle
Joe" Cannon, the actual leader in the
House since the death of Nelson Dnglev
will be elevated 10 the chair in the next
House. and evidently there is no man who
can take his place as floor leader II is ex-
tremely doubtful. however. that while Mr.
Payne' of New York. will retain the honor
as leader he will be given lieutenant who
will be able to cope with the aggressive
John Sharpe Wlinams, OF mississippi, who
will lead the minority. Who the new man
will be no one Is able TO say at this time
The value of exhibiting samples of goods
in foreign countries is illustrated in a
special report to the State Department from
Consul Grout. at valetta. He SAYS that
samples of brentwood furniture were dis
played sixteen years ago in museum that
was opened there under the auspices of fba
Austro-Hungarian consulate. To-day there
Is probably no house in those islands that
is not provided with Austrian Brentwood
furniture. There has lately been a falline
of in - sale OF Austrian manufacture IN
Malta so the consul from that country
gain proposes to have an exhibition az
wares from hia country Consul Grout urges
American manufacturers to follow the same