The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-01-02
AT WHITE HOUSE
Reception Extended by the
President and His Wife.
DIPLOMATS IN UNIFORM
Army and Navy Officials Make
a Grand Spectacle.

tai with A brilliant reception at the
White House For more than hundred
years it has been an unbroken custom
of presidents of the United States to
receive on New Years Day all officials
of the government located in Washing
ton and such citizens as might care to
pay their respects to the nations chief
magistrate. In addition to citizens of the
United States members of The dis.fslatic
corps at Washington embrace the oppor-
tunity personally to extend to the presi-
dent their own good wishes and the
greetings of their governments.
The reception of The president on New
Years Day is thoroughly democratic.
tinctions of race or class were made. ex-
cept such as Were rendered necessary by
a due respect for order.
All persons, rich or poor, with or with
out rank, were given gracious greeting
by the president and Mrs. Roosevelt. The
interior of the White House never was
more beautiful than today. The mansion
glowed with electric lights and floral
decorations were disposed about the cor
ridors and parlors. Palms, ported plants
and exquisite cut flowers were arranged
effectively in every available space.
Great rectangular urns banked 10 the
edges with dwarf palms and holly were
placed between the main corridor and
the vestibule, forming a background for
the gorgeous uniforms of the Marine band
which, sixty pieces strong, was seated in
the vestibuIe
Eleven o'clock was the hour fixed for
the beginning of the reception. a half
hour before that time carriages contain
ing members of the diplomatic corps roll
ed up to the southern entrance of the
White House, the ambassadors. ministers
and attaches of the embassies and lega-
tons assembling usual in the state
dining room. All were attired in magnifi-
cent court costumes or handsome mill
tary or naval uniforms and with spark
ling epaulettes and glistening swords.
presented gorgeous spectacle. Among
the representatives of the nations of the
world it was noticed that there was one
absentee. Colombia, one of this country S
sister republics OF the south. was not rep
resented at the reception. In view of the
present relations between the United
States and the government of Colombia
the absence of representative of the
South American republic was noted in
stantly.
Today, as a year ago, a new republic
was represented for the first time in the
line of diplomats. Last year it was Cuba,
this, the republic of Panama, NJ. Bunau-
Varilla being the accredited minister Of
the infant state who exchanged greetings
with the president.
First to be received were the members
of the diplomatic corps. All of the am
bassadors and ministers were accompan-
led by their entire suites. As dean OF The
corps, Count Cassini. the Russian ambas-
sador and master of the imperial court.
occupied the position of honor at the
head of the line. He was accompanied
by his daughter, Countess Marguerite
Cassini. and was attended by his entire
staff. The brilliant uniform worn by
the ambassador was adorned with decor
atoms which have been bestowed on him
during his diplomatic career.
Following the representative Of the
ear. in order. were Senior Don Manuel
de Azpiros. the Mexican ambassador, and
staff: Baron Hengelmuller. the ambassa-
dor of Austria Hungary, baroness Hen
gelmuller and the embassy staff; NJ. ].
Jusserand. the French ambassador. Mad
anne Jusserand and suite; Baron Speck
Won Sternberg, the German ambassador.
Baroness Won Sternberg and the embassy
staff. and Sir Henry Durand. the British
ambassador, Lady Durand and the en-
bassy staff. In the absence ot the Ital-
ian ambassador. Count de Celfsfi. the
charge d'affaires of the embassy, accom-
panied by his staff represented the Ital-
ian government. NJ. Jusserand, Baron
Won Sternberg and Sir Henry Durand
made their first New Years calls al the
White House as ambassadors. Baron
Sternberg did not appear in court COS
tune. but wore the uniform Of colonel
of the Second Saxon Hussar regiment II
is of sky blue with silver braid and with
il were worn the Tartar cap and Tartar
boots All members of The embassy staff.
with one exception, were attired In mill
tary. rather than in diplomatic. uniforms.
Among the ministers who attended
New Years reception at the White House
for the first lime were Sir Chentung Il
ang Cheng. Of China. attended BY his
stan attired in gorgeous Oriental silks
and satins: General Hernandez OF Vene-
zuela. and NJ Du Msrthursy OF Switz-r-
land In all. g countries of the world
were represented at the reception
Following the diplomatic corps The
members Of the United States supreme
court. headed by Chief Justice Fuller.
were received by the president and Mrs.
Roosevelt
The reception Of members 90 congress
began at u:So O'Clock Comparatively
few we're IN attendance as many % the
senators and representatives have not r.
turned from their holiday visits TO their
homes
Resplendent in fun dress uniforms, rich-
Il adorned with gold lace with meas
ured tread and clsnking swords. the mill
tsry contingent followed the congress
men This lire was made Up q officers.
active and retired. OF The army. navy
and marine corps and he Dlstric; q Co
I1utia National Guard. For fhe first
time the nex uniform - the officers -
ire army pss seen 70 its best eject
Following the army we're officers q ~
navy. headed By Admiral Dewey. n
striking contrast to the CAP worn ~ ire
officers % The army was the piuHaei cha
rcau VOTE by TIE men q tie sea N
wore snec,al fulI dress and the scene
was inspiring
The Diplomatic hreakfas. q; the home
e the secretary ~ state vas haid IRIS
afternoon. Ovsirg 20 Secretary Hays I'll
ness Mrs. Hay and Artfug Secretary y
safe Tcornis welcomed RE rues-s Mrs.
Payne Whitney and Ms Jaucs V-ass-
worth. IT. assisted ;hetr mother. coun;
CasSsaI. the Rszessn a-nnsssado- ard