The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-26
SANTA LIBERAL
At WHITE HOUSE.
Presidents Children Received
Many Handsome Presents and
Made Things Lively.
CELEBRATIONS AT EMBASSIES
Russian Christmas Will Be OBJ
served Twelve Days Hence
Dinner Party Given by
Chief Executive.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Washington, Dec. 25-Santa Claus met
with an accident in Washington last night,
for just as he drove his reindeer over the
White House his pack burst open and the
contents fell pell-mell down the chimneys
OF the executive mansion.
At least this is what must have hap
pened. for nearly every kind of toy ever
made is filing the nursery, the library and
all the halls of the Presidents house.
Youthful merriment is supreme. In sheer
seif-defense the President and Mrs. Roose-
welt left the house. and, after lunching
with the Presidents sister and Captain
Cowles. went for long ride in the coun-
try, in spite of the rather disagreeable
weather.
theodore. Jr.. always receives a large
number OF guns. and this year was no ex-
ception, while Kermit, the bookwcrm of
the younger side OF the family, was made
happy by generous additions to his II
orary. Ethel had dolls galore, one es-
pecially interesting from the fact that 1t
was one OF the dolls at the recent charity
doll show and the gift of Miss Wilson,
daughter Of the Secretary of Agriculture.
But the gift of all gifts was the minia-
ture farm wagon given to Quentin. It is
seven feet long and three feet wide and
modelled In every detail like country
wagon. All the halls to-day were open
thoroughfares for this wagon, which was
the chief source of delight to the boys.
The President gave to the members Of
the Executive Staff at the White House
autograph copies of some of his books.
GUESTS AT DINNER.
twenty-five people tonight sat round
the festive and hospitable board, decorat-
ed with Christmas greens, the holiday COL
ors being carried out with scarlet blossoms
and red-capped candelabra. The guests
were Senator and Mrs. Lodge. Mr.. and
Mrs. Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr, Captain and
Mrs. Cowles, Mr.. and Mrs. Brooks Adams,
Mrs Charles Henry Davis and the Mas
tiers Davis, friends of the Roosevelt boys;
Lieutenant Granville Fortesque and Mr..
R H. NJ. Ferguson of New York
All the members of the Cabinet, except
Mr.. Moody, who is a bachelor, spent the
feast day making merry with their fami-
lies, and partaking of turkey and plum
pudding dinner in the evening, in some
cases a few friends being invited in to
join the family party, as at the home of
the Secretary of Agriculture and Miss
party. of young college students, and the
Secretary of the Interior and Mrs. Hitch
cock and the Misses Hitchcock, who were
Joined by the Assistant Secretary of State
and Mrs. Pierce.
Christmas was a lively day in Diplo-
matte CORPS. In the afternoon Mrs. Wa
terlow, wife OF the third secretary of the
British Embassy, gave a tea at their home
In Rhode Island avenue. all the younger
members of the corps calling to wish them
merry Christmas. At nearly every en-
ty at night and the members Of their re-
spective staffs were invited.
RUSSIAN CHRISTMAS LATER.
Christmas at the Russian Embassy
comes twelve days later, SO the dean of
the corps, who is far from well, and the
Countess Cassini passed the day quietly.
The Mexican. the Austrian, the French,
the German and the British embassies
were the scenes Of dinner parties, followed
by Christmas trees, celebrations and the
distribution Of gifts.
At the French Embassy the Ambassa-
DOR and Nine: Jusserand not only had as
their guests the members of the embassy,
but some additional friends as well, who
were Judge RATHER of Quebec and his
daughter. Mrs. Sutton: the Swiss Min
lister, NJ. Du Martheray; the Portuguese
Minister, the Vicomte de Alte; the Charge
dAffaires Of the italian Embassy and the
Countess Cellers and Countess Antonelli,
NJ. Van Rotten Of The Netherlands Lega-
ton. M, Straehlin of the Swiss Legation
Signor Montagia of the Italian Embassy,
Lieutenant Commander de Faramond
| Yicomte de Chambrun and vicomte Saint
Phalle of the embassy staff.
The day was rounded out in the jolliest
way by large dance at the Country Club,
where the holly and mistletoe decorations,
tree and all the good cheer Of the Yule-
| tide made an ideal Christmas party, which
was attended by all the dancing con-
| tingent of the Diplomatic Corps and the
smart set Of the capital.