The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-19
BY r, M. Larner.

washington, April 1S.-EVery social
club in this country and in Europe
has been notified through the press
that Maj. Gen. Henry c. Corbin, ad-
jutant general of the army, and de-
of the American military forces within
the next year or two, has been denied
membership in the Metropolitan Club,
the most exclusive social organization
at the nations capital.
Naturally universal interest is felt
in an organization which would be so
bold as to refuse membership to a
person occupying the high official posi-
ton that Maj. Gen. Corbin enjoys.
Various reasons have been given for
his rejection, but members of the club
regard it as bad form" to discuss for
publication the secrets of a purely So
cial organization. Official and social
jealousy has been assigned as the rea-
son for the unexpected opposition to
Gen. Corbin's application for member
ship, and by many the allegation is
believed to be true. The nearest ap
proach to a semi official explanation
from members of the club supposed to
be familiar with all the circumstances
surrounding this now national as we'll
as international topic is that Gen.
Corbin was not refused membership be-
cause of any official, social or petty
jealousy, but simply because a certain
number of gentlemen in the club did
not desire him to become member"
OF course all clubdom throughout
the land is discussing the why's and
wherefores which led to the exclusion
of a gentleman who is practically the
ranking officer of the United States
army when so many officers OF both
the army and navy of inferior rank
are now enjoying, and has for long
time enjoyed, the privileges of MEM
bership in this supposed-to-be very ex-
elusive organization. 1t is alleged
that Gen. Corbin had previously been
suggested for membership in this CLUB,
but before final action was taken his
name was withdrawn. Personal friends
including President Roosevelt, Gen.
Wood, several members of the cabinet,
and probably a large majority OF the
1,400 members of the Metropolitan
Club would have gladly welcomed
Gen. Corbin as a clubmate.
Some of his most enthusiastic spon-
sers go to the extent of claiming that
the Metropolitan Club is seml-of1-
cial organization, because 1t ADMITS
without distinction or qualification to
honorary or active membership al
Presidents and ex-Presidents OF the
United States, all ambassadors and
ministers sent to the United States by
foreign powers, and also makes spe-
cial diplomatic list for all of the mem
bers of the diplomatic corps. or
course these exceptions are what are
termed ex-officia members. The nom
orary members are not required 10
pay the initiation fee of $3.50 nor the
annual dues of $50. The diplomatic
list, however, requires that foreign rep
resentatives below the rank of ambas-
sador or minister plenipotentiary may
be admitted to membership at the US
ual rates, not so much because of their
personal popularity, as because OF
their official position.
Some of the friends of Gen. Corbin
bitterly complain that an unjust dis
elimination is made against American
officials in favor of foreigners, on the
ground of the latter's official position
in the diplomatic corps. Many of Gen.
Corbiu's friends contend that his off,
cia1 rank and social position should en-
title him to membership aside from all
consid erations, in view of the extra
ordinary courtesies extended to the
official representatives of foreign pow
ers. They also assert that American
ambassadors and representatives. IN
foreign countries are not allowed SIM
liar privileges at social clubs in Lon
don, Paris, Berlin, and other European
capitals, because of their Official po-
sition. The few diplomatic represen-
tatives sent from the United States
who receive social club privileges IN
Europe are accepted on purely person
al grounds, and not in accordance with
the 'semi-ofticial open-door policy ex-
tended to foreigners by the Metropoli-
tan Club. Instances are cited to show
That it is a rare occurrence for Amer
lean representatives abroad to be ac-
cepted to membership in the social
clubs of Europe similar in rank and
exclusiveness to that of the Metropoi-
itan Club.
The denial of membership to Gen.
Corbin by a certain element in the Met
ropolitan Club has given rise to the
question whether it is a purely social
organization or sembofficial in its char
acter. The agitation of this problem
mas been going on within the club
Tor long period, and it has even been
suggested that the bylaws of the club
should be amended so that the official
status of an applicant for membership
should be entirely eliminated. The OBJ
lect of this would be that the club
would grant no greater privileges or