The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1907-03-28

ment addressed the British Government
with a view to ascertain how fer 1t
would be possible to proceed in making
Joint regulations to control this traffic.
The answer of the British Govern
ment, which in turn suggested a broad
er line OF action by the creation of an
International commission to investigate
the whole subject and report some feas-
ible plan of combined action, was based
upon the recognition of the interest Of
other European Nations in satisfac-
tory settlement of this question. Ger
many for instance. thru her possession
in Kaio-Chow; France, thru her large
population in Tonquin, and even Por-
tugal and Japan, thru their Chinese
colonies, all have what Is recognized as
a proper interest in this subject, and
tho further steps have not yet been
taken for the appointment Of the sug-
gested commission, 1t Is believed that
all these countries will in time be in
vited to appoint members of the COM
mission.
Owing mainly to the objections Of
great CO valry leader, the design for his
statue. executed by J. Q. A. Ward, Of
New York, has been rejected by the
committee. The Statue Commission
now consists of Secretary Taft. Senator
Wetmore, Representative; McCleary and
Gen. Corbin. Sculptor Ward has been
for many years engaged on the work.
His first design, executed some years
ago, was approved by the committee.
H., tuFx h. 1T IHA Ia
stroyed II. The latest design was viewed
several times by Mrs. Sheridan, who
did not consider It a good likeneas Of
the General and who expressed her
views to the committee. A meeting will
be held shortly by the committee, when
It will determine whether competitive
designs will be invited or whether the
work Will be intrusted to some other
wsil-known American sculptor.
Quite a little tempest in tho social
the latest dictum in the matter Of off,
ciaI etiQuet. Society here IS represent
ed as stirred to the very center as to
whether Cabinet invitations to meet the
President and the first lady Of the land
come merely as cOurtesies, that may be
accepted or declined, or must be looked
upon as commands"
Everyone knows that an invitation to
the White House Is q command, and
takes" precedence Of all engagements.
Even II the dinner engagement Is OF q
months standing. and an invitation to
the White House comes on the morning
Of the day, the guest has no choice. but
must accept the White House invita-
tfon.
Being Commander by a member Of
the Cabinet is quite another matter.
however, and, sc the story goes. the
innovation Is bitterly resented by the
senior Senators and their wives, and. in
fact. by ali the conservatives. The Cab
met women Insist. as their dinner lists
are made with great care and submitted
to the President before the Invitations
are issued. that invitations to their din
ners to meet the President should also
be looked upon as commands
Whatever the future may bring forth.
the fact remains that this season in
yitations to the dinners given by the
Mrs. Roosevelt were marked by few re-
grets. Truth to tell. the Cabinet host
essss have enjoyed increased prestige
since It became the custom to ask none
but guests outside the Cabinet circle to
the Presidential dinner.
Naturally enough, there is q certain
distinction In receiving cards for the
most important dinner In the hostess
list for the season. Nevertheless. more
year, received ''regretful regrets' from
favored individuals hidden to the circle
surrounding the board arranged In COM
piiment to the Chief Executive and his
wife. because Of already accepted invi-
tations to other dinners.
Senator Dixon. who succeeds Senator
w. A. Clark. of Montana. has just pur-
chased him q home In Washineaori.
II Is one Of the handsolaest residences
In the swell section Of the Capital. In d
row known as Senators Row." because
there are SO many United States, Sem
-ators living there. Senator Dixon is SIX
months under 40. and Is tho youngest
man In the United tSates Senate.
z .Rhenisk castles and Venetian palaces
are we'll enough In their way. thinks
Mrs. Perry Belmont, but for her house
In New Hampshire avenue. Washington.
which Is to cost $1,000 900. she has
chosen the simple Elizabethan style.
The choice was made after much close
study Of many plans. Mrs. Belmont
consented to receive suggestions from
the leading architects OF the country.
and she assured the competitors she
would approach the comparison Of their
WORK WIN an open mln0. II any OF
them could convince her that there
was superior beauty in anything along
Continental lines she was willing to &C.
cept the conviction. In the uptake, how
ever. she could see nothing more beau
tiful than the sort Of house that had
sheltered Belmonts and Robinses In the
reign Of the Maiden Queen. The new
house will be novelty to Washington.
in that the whole second floor. finished
in handsomely carved mahogany. oak.
cherry and white maple. will admit Of
being thrown into a suite Of drawing
rooms. The yaulted ceiling Is to be 20
feet high. 1t will be decorated by the
best artists in the United States. The
house Is to be OF the English basement
order, with all the living rooms and the
banquet hall on the ground floor. A
picture gallery and a private theater are
to divide the third story, which Is to
have doned roof.
The Italian ambassador has received
word from his wife. the Baroness des
Planches, that she will not come to
America this Spring. The Baroness has
spent the Winter with her mother who
has been seriously ill.
The ambassador will sail early this
Spring to join his wife in Italy. and 1t
Is rumored In diplomatic circles that he
will not return. 1t has been known for
q long time that the En-, ba ESQ do. 80