The Washington herald., 1907-06-09
Unusual Gayety OccaSioned
by Visit of French and
Netherlands Officers to
theNatiOn'S Capital.
Diplomats and Government
Officials Go to jamestown
to Witness the Georgia
Day Festivities.

- UNPRECEDENTED gayety has
marked the past week. almost
unheard Of in Washington this
time Of year, which usually be
gins to take on the look Of a deserted or
forsaken city the latter part Of May.
The jamestown Exposition and the re
markable weather are both responsible
for the unusual life Of the social circle.
The exposition, with its neighboring
waterway, Hampton Roads has in the
past few weeks been the destination OF
many foreign ships. whose officers have
taken advantage Of the proximity Of the
Capital 10 visit it and to pay their re-
spects to Americas President, and at
the same time exchange greetings with
their countrymen accredited here as rep
resentatives Of their sovereign or people.
Hospitality has been the keynote Of the
social life thus set in motion by their
arrival. and coed Will and good fellow
Ship have Joined hands 90 make their
visits memorable.
On tie other hand, with summer so
reluctant TO arrive, fashionable FOLK have
been glad to remain IN comfortable city
homes. rather than TO bic them 10 couu-
trgside or scac0ast.
Few homes. therefore, wear the usual
deserted air Of this season. when boarded
windows f-own upon the passer-by. and
cards attached TO tie entrances announce
The fact that the owners have changed
thei- addresses TO points far distant
Chevy Chase and the Country Club are
therefore more than ever popular when
tile weather is at an reasonable and lnyIt-
ing. and little dinners are arranged by
telephone. Thus society is having a quiet
and rez-fgl tirae with just enough g1yety
TO redeem Ike days and nights from alb
solute Gu-Iucgs but not enough TO tire,
so that when 'miiadv' dnally closes ner
house and goes TO the mountains. the sea,
or 90 the watering places of the other
side, she VIII go refreshed and ready for
TIE summer campaign. SO, e"en the
dreadful weather has its bright side, and
the cloud shat almost perpetually hides
the sun its silver lining.
The visiting officers Of the past week
have been those of the navies OF France
and the Netherlands. and a merry tine
they had Of it. From the moment Of their
arrival until the hour Of their departure
they were in the hands Of thelr friends
and the friends did their best 10 make
them enjoy their Washington visit
Rear Admiral Thierry. commandant Of
the French squadron. and Baron van As
beck, OF the Dutch ship. the Gelderland,
were the chief officers, each being accom-
panied by q SAT- Of ranking officers.
Tns first official function given in their
honor was the reception Tuesday morn
ing rendered by the President. which was
followed a few hours later by luncheon,
al which the President and Mrs. Rocse-
Welt were host and hostess. That night
the genial Netherlands Minister, JOnkEee-
van SVindercn was host AT stag dinner
for his cOuutrymen AZ the legation.
in The company were the Secretary Of
the Navy. Mr.. Netcalf. the Attorney Gen
eral, Mr. Ronaparte, Rear Admiral jew
ell Col. Symons, Capt. Sargent Capt.
Rodgers, Mr.. Charles Poor, Mai. Nc
Cavlev Lieut. BuIper. L. S. n; Mr..
Planter. Netherlands consul general In
New York; Nj Clips. director Of the Hol-
land-Ameri-8u line, Mr.. BUissevaiu.
president Of the Holland Club. New York.
Capt Baron van Asbeck. commander of
the Gelderanj, Lieuts Halewyn, Telders
Bender. Wolterbeek Muller. DOrren.
Tadama. Dykema. hrieger. Tuhclaar, and
the secretaries Of the legation. Mr Ro-
yards and Jonkheer van den Berch van
Theemste6e.
The following day, Wednesday, Mr.. and
Mrs. Charles Glover, parents Of Nine.
van Swiuderen. who have closed their
town house and gone 10 'Westover,"
their suburban place. entertained the
Dutch officers at a garden party at their