Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-12

present Sonora de la Barra frequently
visited her sister. and became very
friendly with the American minister ana
his family The sonora onnS TO n de-
cided partially for Americans. and many
of her closest friends are Americans dom
iciIed in Mexico.
There are rumors afloat that the Mex
lean embassy as at present situated IL
not the proper environment for the So
cial plans contemplated 10y the new chat
elaine. The ambassador. i'm discussing this
subject. said that of course j street be
tween 14th and 18th was not the same
quiet and elegant street that 1T was
twenty-five years ago. when Senior Ro-
nero purchased the property. Business
has encroached on it from every direc
ton. and now that there is report
that a company is TO erect mammotl
building opposite, ii is inevitable that
the Mexicans must flee. Mr.. and Mrs
John w. Foster, who We're the neigh
bors of the Mexican embassy for twenty
years, about five years ago sought the
quiet and seclusion Of 10Th street near
the Church of the Covenant. The am
bassador said. however, that. while he
recognized the necessity of finding an
other home, he had taken no definite
steps, and would not do so until his re-
turn from the long trip that he con-
templates to Europe.
x );
The small sons of Senior de Ia Barra
are prime favorites in the official homes
of Washington. They are often invited
by Mrs. Taft when her own small son is
at home. The boys are at Mr. Prestons
school, but are taking additional lessons
from tutors. The two sons of the am
bassador's wife, of whom the elder. Lucas.
is ten and the second, Carmen, is six.
are studying under tutors, as they are
not Yet proficient enough in the language
TO attend school here. The boys, how
ever, hope TO become part of the school
boy world of Washington next autumn.
The dainty little daughter of Sonora de
Ia Barra, Senorita Alphonse Alaman, is
just three and one-half years old. and
she, no doubt, will become a belle in her
set. She is already on the most friendly
terms with little Martha Overton Dick
inson, the granddaughter OF the Secre-
tary OF War.
Miss Martha has a French governess,
and so has the tiny little Mexican, SO tn.
two get along very well until Martha
attempts English. or Miss Alphonse chat
ters in the tongue of the hidalgos. The
children Will remain in Washington under
the care of an elderly duenna. who has
been in the family of the Borneaues for
many years Sonora de la Barra be-
longed to the wealthy and powerful bank
ing family of BornequeS, and has a large
fortune from her father. as well as fine
income from her husband. who was also
a banker, and who died about two years
ago.
The Mexican embassy has been In social
seclusion since the departure OF the
Creels. Those hospitable and much loved
people, who are counted among the rich
est in the world, elevated the embassy to
the front rank of the Latin contingent,
and to equal social Importance with the
British, French and German embassies.
Senior Creel could not continue SO far
away from his vast interests, SO he re-
signed his post to return to Chihuahua,
where he had been elected governor. He
is now minister of foreign affairs in Mex
leo. and his home is the ralying point
for Americans. as well as the highest
official society.
The first wife OF Senior de la Barra
never came to Washington. She had al
ready been attacked by fatal malady
before he was promoted from the min
istry In the Netherlands to be ambas-
sador to Washington. Her death, which
two years ago. is still mourned,
and it prevented the ambassador from ap-
pearing except upon state occasions. After
the return from the wedding journey
TO Europe the de la Barras VIII revive
the ancient hospitality Of their official
home, a reputation extending back to
almost fifty years. and which reached
its climax under the Romeros. The
Mexican ambassador occupies a dis
tinct position in the diplomatic corps.
in that he is the dean OF Latin Amer-
leans, and their chief adviser. The
post passed from the Mexican TO the
Bra lillian ambassador, when the scholar
ly Joachim Nabuco acted as high plen-
for his country. 1t Will.
however. now return to the Mexicans.
and Senior de la Barra and his charm
ing wife will refurnish and redecorate
the embassy. pending the selection OF
\ new home.