Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-28
DINING WOMEN DELEGATES
Amsterdam is Making the Woman
Sufragists at Home.
VISITORS GET MUCH ATTENTION
Delegates 20 International Congress
Have Unusual Chance to See In
timnte side of Quaint
old City.

SHERIDAN. June N.-At all interna-
'e=ai meetings held in Europe much more
tine is given to social festivities than is
allowed in the Urited States. Perhaps this
Is not always carried to such an extent
as at the last international Peace confer
ence, which, in The Hague, is referred to
as the Eat Congress"
As a rule sessions OF the Woman Suffrage
alliance are held only mornings and eve
nirgs, leaving the afternoon free. Foreign
ladies have confidentially told us that when
they went to conventions in our country
they were surfeited with work and fam
lshed for food. Well, our hustling pro-
ellvities must indeed seem a little siren
uous to them. and 1t is also true that we
DO not give them as much 10 eat as they
get at home. At these meetings the women
81 all countries look more rosy ard solid
than the Americans, and they declare that
II is because we are underfcd. but we IRE
fer to think It is the difference in climate
and the temperature OF the houses in Eu-
rope that gives the ruddier, healthier APP
pearsnce and also the fact that they live
much more out Of doors.
Our private opinion Is that American
women are more apt to carry their youth
ful figures into middle life than are those
OF. other countries, and this is worth some
sacrifice.
We are all. however. deeply appreciative
OF the cordial hospitality which we receive.
1t gives us glimpses OF a home life that
even a long sojourD as tourists would not
afford. The most elegant residences In
Amsterdam are situated on the banks of
the widest canals. some OF them facing the
street, with the garden at the back slop-
Ing down TO the waters edge and protected
Ir An..o ~h-,.AAz--. -. e--
the canal by the paved street and a row
Of tall trees, with a walled-in garden be-
hind. In either case a complete privacy
is assured which seems impossible for
American homes.
MnnuiOns Of ola Cities.
Along the Keizer's Gracht and Heeren
Gracht (emperorts and gentlemen's canals)
are long rows OF what are known as pa
trician houses most of them about 300
years old, dating from the opulent days of
the Dutch republic. They are built Of
small, flinty bricks, with splendidly carved
stone facings and cornlces, the five or
six stories running up to the high pointed
gables characteristic of Holland architec-
ture. and they show not the slightest sign
Of decay. The massive front doors OF what
Is really the second story opens out on a
"stoop' with steps on either side down to
fHt SlItel- mere III Olucn times the TlCn
merchants smoked their pipes In the eve
ming while the ladies of the family gos-
viped back and forth with their neighbors.
Few bridges crossed the canals in those
days ard the ships were anchored In front
Of their doors laden with merchandise
much of which was hoisted up into the
spacious storerooms under the roof. p
The nobility then as now lived for the
mcst part in the country. but these mer-
chant princes, these patrician families,
formed an arlstocracy whose pestige still
lii gers. SOME Of the mansions are oc-
cupied by their descendants, others have
gone into the possession OF those who are
founding new families, but the old regime
has passed away. Scores of bridges now
sran the canals, forbidding entrance to the
81 bps but giving the populsce easy access
to these pleasant tree and water bordered
streets, and the patrieian has fled TO his
garden.
The houses are lifeless and impassive as
monuments. II would be the height OF bad
form for a face to be seen at the window,
and when an occupan must emerge the
door Is quickly closed after him by the
solemn faced butler and the house resumes
its air of mournful and exclusive desolation,
There is, however, a charming family life
within and this we have several times been
permitted to share at the dinner parties
which have been given for us.
Art In a Home.
One especially to be remembered was that
at the home of b. l.. Gompertz. now the
head OF the great banking firm Of
Wertheim & Gompertz. whose highly cul-
tured wife is chairman Of the mmit
OF reception for the congress. The hal
and reception rooms on the first floor are
richly adorned with pictures, statuary anC
almost priceless bronzes and porcelain
while the drawing room on the second flool
is famous for its mural paintings. the worl
OF noted artists nearly two centuries ago
The price of one Of these panels would
buy any house In Amsterdam" a CUES
told us. They line three sides OF the room
from the floor 10 the high ceiling. which
also Is richly decorated. and the larg,
windows on the fourth side overlook tn
lovely garden.
There were present members OF boil
houses OF Parliament, the leader OF tn,
liberal party, university professors. for
eign consuls and presidents of variou
boards. After a sumptuous dinner al
passed into the garden where ~scattere,
among the flower beds against a darl
background OF trees and shrubs were littl
tables each containing a handsome electri
lamp and bowls OF pink. white and IL,
peonies. Here coffee, liqueurs and cigar
were served and conversation was con
tinued till nearly midnight-in English
though all were dutch except the Ameri
san women-and about us was the silcnc
Of the forest. although we were out o
doors IN the heart OF a city OF SO,0oO people
Pleasing Little Play.
The opening reception OF the internationa
suffrage meeting now In progress wa
neld at the Couturier, the Sherry's of Am
sterdam, with the usual splendor OF sue
affairs. A pleasing variation was a capita
little play In blank verse. The Council o
he Gods" given by a party OF youny
people from The Hague. Jove summon
he gods and soddesses TO know the Tea
son Of the terrible strife going on In IN
world beneath whose noise penetrates hi
realm. Mercury says: Il guess, but. MI
Chairman. I'm not sure, that tbs tn
adde's making all the row" In the mids
II the discussion a mortal woman begs ad
mittAnce. sets forth the grievances in