The Topeka state journal., 1905-09-30


most brilliant capitals of Europe, and she
went to Berlin prepared to be the hos
tess at splendid entertainments, affairs
which should impress the Germans
with the glory of her country. There
was a feeling of patriotism added to
Mrs. Towers personal social aspira-
tions. She invited the emperor to din
ner, and he accepted. He said it was
the first time he had ever set foot on
American soil. and he took his hostess
in to dinner and made himself as de-
lightful as William of Germany well
knows how to do when he wishes
Prince Henry. the emperor's brother
attended the banquet also.
When the Towers went to Berlin they
leased a palace which had been empty
considerable time. because the rent
was so high-$1S,000 year. Ambassa-
dor Towers salary is $17,500. His 1iv-
ing comes out of his private purse,
which is fortunately a long one. The
exquisite taste of Mrs. Tower was
shown in the furnishings of her Berlin
palace, furnishings so rare and beau
tiful that the emperor praised them
highly. Mr.. Tower is rich enough to
spend 100000 a year for household
expenses, and Mrs. Tower uses his in
come lavishly as a queen and much
more tastefulIy and artistically than
most queens know how to do. 1t is
even whispered that the German en-
press, Augusta Victoria herself was
annoyed because at the first court ball
after the Towers went to Berlin the
costume of the American ambassadors
wife was more splendid and original
than her majesty's own and even more
costly, for the matter of that. Mrs.
Charlemagne Tower, formerly Miss
al Nf 90 81
youthful comeliness, gorgeous costume
and American brightness and vivacity
for the time being quite took the shine
| of the staid matrons of the German
court
The lavish social expenditure at the
| American embassy in Berlin is not
mere purposeless extravaganza. The
social side of international diplomacy
! is sometimes even more important and
| influential than the political one. Our
ministers and ambassadors to Germany
for some time previous to the advent of
| Mr.. Tower had not been rich men on
their own account. They were the salt
of the earth intellectually and diplomat
ically, but not rich. They were obliged
| to live in hotels or in apartments not
| being able to afford a palace. Well to
! tell the truth, high and mighty per-
sonages of the German court didn't
quite like it. They thought it looked
rather poor white trashy FOR a coun-
try so wealthy and great as the United
States Such state of things was
somehow rather against a republican
government.
1t is even hinted that a hint was
given that the prestige of the American
government would be increased in Ger
many il its ambassador made more OF
''splurge' at court. The Towers have
made it.
Mrs. Tower has won the reputation
of being one of the best dressed women
in Europe and one of the most delight
ful of hostesses. as well possessing
beauty and PERSONAL charm unrfvalled
American women may be proud of this
daughter of California, especially AZ
she is still honestly republican to hel
hearts core. OF her f1ve children. tbs
two older sons. aged fifteen and twelve
are at school in America When the
international Congress of Women met
in Berlin last year Mrs. Tower gavs
the delegates a reception, with Susar
B. Anthony as the guest of honor
The wife Of the United States am.