Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1909-12-23


wholly in the nature
cial obligations rather than business
Moreover, the responsibilities of this bu
rest equally heavy upon the ENJOYS of tn
GUS foreign powers-that is. the ambas
and ministers-and upon the secretaries
selors and attaches who make up the
staffs of these dignitaries. Even the
OF the official foreign colony-the
wives and daughters of the diplomats
OF high and low degree-share in the
feverish activity of the dawning year.
Indeed their participation begins
weeks in advance with frequent visits
to the dressmakers for, one and all.
these fair foreigners must have stri-
king new gowns for the momentous
occasion
The explanation of this display OF
energy on the part of a class of people
who ordinarily lead the most leisurely
existence Imaginable is found in the
fact that New Years day of each year
marks the opening of the official social
season at Washington. 1t is a day OF
receiving and calling and dining (all
In the most formal way, for every
body in national official circles from
the president down to the least impor-
tant public official, but the social mer-
ry-go- round, spins at more lively
gait for the diplomats than for anv of
the other participants in Uncle Sans
great annual dress parade. Not
only do they have to go more differ
ent places in carrying out the days
program, but they have to do more
dressing than any of the other celebri.
ties, not even excepting the hieh.off.
GERS of the United States army and
navy, who don their full dress uni
forms for this occasion.
Indeed, 1t is the chore of getting
togged out in their gaudiest raiment
that compels the diplomats to arise
somewhat earlier than usual on New
Year morning. Official etiquette pre.
scribes that each foreign representa-.
tive shall appear in full diplomatic
uniform or court dress on this signi.
ficant occasion. Now be it known. it
is no slight undertaking to put on
such gaFb. The average diplomat, ac.
customed as he is to fastidious dress
ing, finds 1t pretty nearly as formid.
able job as the average American Wo
or farmer regards the donning of dres
The diplomats viewpoint will be the bet
preciated when 1t is explained that not
of these costly broadcloth uniforms q
heavily encrusted with gold lace and of
raHients that they are well nigh stiff enc
stand alone. 1t is a twentieth century
armor, so to speak. In many instance
boots are an item of the court dress and
iIy q heavy helmet or FUR turban and
.,f1 hot boo, Al
the costume. Finally. the diplomat.
standing. covers the entire front of hi
with the glittering insignia of royal orde
teweled decorations-each several tim
large as the ordinary badge and adding
aggregate, considerable weight to the ira
of state.
With the time consuming prelude of dl
. ait Of the way. the diplomats. more gore
~arbed than any operatic chorus, are res
the first formal function of the day. 7
fhe presidents reception at the White
The foreigne all of whom have carria
automobiles (rented for this busy day,
do not already possess them), must leave
for the presidential mansion about
O'Clock. for they are to have the honor
inc the first persons received by the pre-
ba in their duly assigned places in the
line ere the presidential party at IL
sharp. descends the grand stairway and
station in the Blue paror for !he rec
Hard and fast rules must be observed
the order in which the diplomats file p;
president. There are two divisions. Fl
ambassadors. each accompanied by {
members of his staff and their wives, an
the ministers. each similarly attended
in each division are assigned in acco
with the length Of time each envoy has
sented his government at Washington
statesmen who have been here for yeal
precedence over the newcomers.
AT the head of the line walks the an
dor who by virtue of the most lengthy
in Washington Is the dean of the dipl
corps This post OF prestige is now h
Baron Mayor des Planches of Italy. r
eieuers are intl oduced to the president
secretary o! state, who has the best of h
met colicagres in that he is thus temp
in the imelight
After the White House reception the