The San Francisco call., 1905-08-13
Special cable to The Call.

BERLIN, Aug. 12.-In the heart OF
the District Of Columbia"-as the
American residential quarter of Berlin
IS emusingly known-stands the build
ing In which the American Women's
Club Of Berlin is housed, an institution
which enjoys the privilege of having g
been the first woman's club ever or
ganized IN the Kaiser's realm, and is
to-day the most typical, essentially
American woman's organization IN Eu-
rope.
There are societies Of Yankee women
and girls in London and Paris, but they
pursue either social pleasures or special
aims like art and music. The American
Women's Club Of Berlin lays claim to
being not only serious in purpose, but
comprehensive IN scope, and around ii
IS rallied all that is best In the ener-
Retic, extensive American life of the
German capital Founded eleven years
ego, primarily as q charity-relief asso-
citation, with q girl students auxiliary,
the club several years since outgrew
the humble suite Of two or three rooms
which served as a clubhouse" and now
occupies three full floors in one Of the
massive stone-front apartment houses
IN the smart Kleist strasse. Within a
radius OF half mile not less than 5000
Americans are encamped, either as per-
nanent residents OF Berlin or as mem
students, tourists and other transients,
here for periods varying from weeks to
years Two blocks away from the club
is another monument to the vigorous
American element in Berlin-the hand
some 100000 Gothic American church,
built by sons and daughters Of Column
bia who have resided in Berlin of and
on during the past thirty years.
is ALWAYS PRESIDENT.
The president of the American
women's Club IS by unwritten law, al
ways the wife Of the United States EN-
bassador to the Kaisers court. At
present the Office is ably filed by Mrs.
Charlemagne Tower, who has through
her cleverness and regal entertaining
given American diplomacy in Germany
the most brilliant social representation
ii has ever experienced. Not even the
glittering functions Of the Russian,
Austrian. British and italian embassies
excel the banouets and balls at the
Tower palace IN the Koenigs-Platz.
The active executive head Of the club
for the past seven years has been Mrs.
frank II. Mason, wife OF the United
States Consul General, who is first vice
president OF the organization. As presid-
iEg officer, pariiamentarian and extern
pore speaker Mrs Mason is exceedingly
gifted. Her lieutenants in the active
are Mrs. Mary Honan wife Of the resi-
dent American physician, DR.. John H.
Honan; Miss Mathilde Molt, Mrs. John
Cleve-Symmes. Mrs George o. Watson
and Mrs. S. +. McFadden. Several Of
these women were among the clubs
founders, their husbands being longtime
resident American business men in Berlin.
The directress Of the club is Miss Ellen A
Hunt, an American university woman of
rare executive talent. She resides on the
club premises and gives personal atten-
ton to the varied details Of routine man
agement.
The cardinal purpose Of the club is TO
be rallying-ground for American women
resident IN Berlin, either as presi6ers
over homes or as students. The Ameri-
can woman student element is always
large. At the Conservatives, art academ-
ies and university there are never less
than several hundred Of them. The club
affords them dormitory accommodations