The Washington herald., 1909-04-16

Twenty-one republics. ranging in area
thousands of miles north and south Of the
point where Columbus first set foot on
the American continent, banqueted last
night in the New Willard. through their
oficial and diplomatic representatives.
The dinner, at which sat I75 men. was
given by John Barrett. director Of the
International Bureau Of the American Re
pubucs. in honor Of the Secretary Of State
Of 1he United States. and the Latin
American ambassadors ana ministers in
Washington, who constitute respective
ly. the chairman and members Of the
governing board Of the bureau.
In many ways ii was one Of the most
unsuaI. and at the same time, one of the
most representative banquets that has
been given in the National Capital since
the beginning Of the renaissance which Of
late years has been steadily welding to-
gether the bonds Of comfy and commerce
between the United States and her sister
nations to the South
Partake of Spanish Menu.
Illustrating the all-around education
Of an American statesman Of to-day.
Vice President Sherman, Secretary Of
State Knox, Speaker Cannon. Senator
Root. and others Of a brilliant galaxy Of
national figures ate boiled bananas done
the fashion Of cooking IN South
lea and which. with the other in
ents. was called I'm the Spanish Ian
OF the menu "Puchero Sud-Arner-
- The FISH came cold. bearing the
Of 'Pescado a la Mexicano." and
CUP. which also had an exotic air
by the name Of -Sopa Centro-
icana." The lamb chops were Cos
de Cordero. Santa Fe," and the
et. "Sorbe;e International" And so
Mt through the entire list Of viands.
Of which have never before been
in this country az a banquet
characteristic setting was elabor-
carried out in the decorations. The
Of the large banquet room on the
top floor OF the New Willard were a
mass Of flags. under which were written
the names of the countries they repre-
sented- They were arranged in every
conceivable manner. although the pre-
dominating grouping was in the form OF
rosettes. Concealed electric fans kept
the banners in a constant ripple. which.
during the dinner proper. added a low
and musical note 10 the hum OF conversa-
ton The Marine Band Orchestra was
concealed behind a solid bank Of palms
and greens. in which were set hundreds
Of miniature afgs Of the Latin-American
republics. and down the center OF the
room, over the heads of the bandueters.
hung an array Of larger banners. At the
farther end Of the room were large en-
blems bearing the words. Peace, Friend
ship, Commerce In place of honor
at the other end Of the chamber was a
large American flag. under which was
written "Pan-American Bureau"
Novel Features Everywhere.
From the time the guests fled into the
room after the reception in the outer
chamber, they were greeted at every turn
by novel features, some of which were
Impressive, some entertaining, and some
lending excitement and enthusiasm TO the
evening. The men had no sooner taken
their seats than Bang" went the flash
light Mr. Barrett then announced the
blessing. by Most Rev. Diomede Falconio.
the apostolic delegate. As the guests
rose with him. the lights were entirely
extinguished, leaving the room for a
moment in total darkness. Then from
under cut glass globes concealed under
banks of flowers on each table. came the
glow OF electric lights. giving to the
room an impressive. subdued radiance, in
which the blessing was invoked.
Then followed a toast to the President
of the United States. proposed by Mr..
Barrett. which was drunk standing
One Of the most novel features Of the
banquet was a fantasia OF 'Pan-Ameri-
can Airs" embOdying strains from the
national hymns Of all the twenty-one re-
pnbiics represented. The medley was ar
ranged by Lieut. w. II. Santelmann.
leader of the Marine Band AS the
strains Of the national air of each coun-
try were played a spotlight played on
the flag of the country at the end Of the
room, while the emblem was blown by "A
current of wind into open folds This
was followed by two or three character
istic scenes representing the life and de-
velopment of each nation. The feature
called forth prolonged applause. which
came 10 its height when the light showed
the folds of the Stars and Stripes, and
Lht tlN4tSAAG p4dgtA 1 ne DldE CpdnBleQ
Banner
Toast to the President.
After Introductory remarks by Mr.. Bar
rett. in which he expressed pleasure at
seeing the representatives Of the sister
countries gathered together in the in
terests Of their common cause a toast
was drunk to The presidents Of the
American republics"
The first speaker was Philander c.
Knox. Secretary of State and chairman
sx-officio Of the governing board of the
International Bureau Of the American
Republics. He responded 10 the toast.
"The governing board of the international
bureau"
Mr Knox's address was a stirring tribute
from the premier Of the Cabinet to the
work in the inteestsr Of which the bu-
reau exists. He spoke prophetically of
the results which may be expected in
the closer welding OF the relations be-
tween the nations Of North and South
America.
Mr. KnOxis Address.
Secretary Of State Knox said: