The Elbert County tribune., 1909-12-23


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
tnd ministers-and upon the secretaries
selors and attaches who make up the
stats 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 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-
- SN ACdho, spins at more lively
gait for the diplomats than for any of
the other participants in Uncle Sans
great annual dress parade Not
only do they have to go more differ.
ent places in rrying out the davis
program. but they have to do more
dressing than any of the other celebri.
ties. not even excepting the high Off.
GERS of the United States army and
navv- who don hofr fill
forms for this occasion.
Indeed, 1t is the chore of getting
logged out in their gaudiest ratment
that compels the diplomats to arise
somewhat earlier than usual on New
Year morning. Official etiquette pre.
scrfbes that each foreign representa-
tive shall appear in full diplomatic
uniform or court dress on this sient.
ficant occasion Now be 1t known. II
is no slight undertaking to put ON
such garb. The average diplomat. &C.
customed as he is to fastidious dress.
ing. finds 1t pretty nearly as formtd.
able job as the average American wo
or farmer regards the donning of a dres
The diplomats viewpoint will be the bet,
preciated when it is explained that not
of these costly broadcloth uniforms a,
heavily encrusted with gold lace and ott
naments that they are well nigh stiff emo
stand alone. 1t is a twentieth century C
armor, SO to speak. In many instances
boots are an item of the court dress and
ly a heavy helmet or fur turban and {
cloak that reaches to the feet are inclu,
the costume. Finally, the diplomat, O
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 traI
of state.
With the time-consuming prelude of dr.
out of the way, the diplomats, more gorg
garbed than any operate chorus, are rea
the first formal function of the day T
the presidents reception at the White
The foreigners, all of whom have carria
automobiles (rented for this busy day 4
do not already possess them). must leave
for the presidential mansion about
O'Clock. for they are to have the honor
ing the first persons received by the pre-
after he has greeted his cabinet, and they
he in their duly assigned places in the W
line ere the presidential party at IL c
sharp, descends the grand stairway and
station in the Blue parlor for the rece
Hard and fast rules must be observed
the order In which the diplomats file pa
president There are two divisions Fir
ambassadors. each accompanied by a
members of his staff and their wives. an,
the ministers. each similarly attended
in each division are assigned in accoI
with the length OF time each envoy has
sented his government at Washington. 7
statesmen who have been here for year
precedence over the newcomers.
At the head of the line walks the am
dor who by virtue of the most lengthy s
in Washington is the dean of the diplt
corps. This post OF prestige is now he
Baron Mayor des Planches of Italy. tt
eigners are introduced to the president
secretary of state. who has the best OF hi
met colleagues in that he is thus tempo
in the limelight.
After the White House reception the