The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-01-05
WHITE HOUSE NEW YEAR.
Mrs. TAFT Stood in Line for One Hour
and Forty MinuteS-Eight Thou
sand Visitors Called.


throne that has passed the portals of
the White House at any New Year re-
ception Of recent years greeted Presl-
dent and Mrs. Taft today at the third
public reception given by them since
entering the executive mansion. When
the long line had passed the official
counter" said that S,O92 diplomats,
officials and citizens had shaken hands
with the president At last years
reception the official count showed
that about $500 visitors were receiv-
ed.
Mrs. Taft remained in the receiving
line for an hour and 40 minutes. From
the moment when the first Of the dl-
plouatic corps was received, shortly
after IL O'Clock, the line moved con-
tinuously through the white house
for more than three hours, it's re-
serves stretching for blocks around
the white house grounds.
The day was overcast and threat
ening, but a decided improvement
over the snow and rain that prevail
ed a year ago and in 1910.
President and Mrs. Taft stood in
the Blue room, surrounded by the
members and ladies Of the cabinet. It
was Just II o'clock when they de-
scended from the upper floors with
the Marine band playing the "Star
Spangled Banner"
Foreigners Costumed.
Military and naval aides were scat
tered about the White House in pro-
fusion. The. diplomatic corps already
had assembled in the State dining
room when the president and Mrs.
Taft took their place. All of the for
eign representatives we're in court
costume and they inaugurated the re-
ception with the usual brilllance Of
coloring.
Following the diplomats the presi-
dent received the supreme court and
other federal judges, government OH
cials of all ranks, senators and repre-
sentatives, officers of the army and
navy and various patriotic societies.
Last in the line, according to custom,
came the private citizens.
Three new ambassadors were
among the diplomats. Both Baron
Hengemuller, ambassador from Aus
tro-Hungary, dean Of the diplomatic
corps, and the French ambassador,
NJ. Jusserand, second in rank, were
absent, and the first in line fell to the
British ambassador, Mr.. Bryce. ia
pan also was unrepresented by an
ambassador, but with these exceptions
the nations which maintain embassies
here took their accustomed places.
The three new faces in the line Of
ambassadors were those of George
Bakhmeteff, OF Russia; Senor Crespoy
Martinez, of Mexico, and Domicio da
Cana, of Brazil.
Most of the ministers accredited to
the United States were in town but
in some instances their countries
were represented by the legation
stats. Senor Calvo, minister from
Costa Rica, has long held the place
Of honor as dean of the ministers.
Dewey and Miles.
Admiral Dewey was a centre of in
terest as usual when the naval con-
tingent reached the White House.
Lieut.. Gen. Nelson A. Miles also at
tracted attention. Both he and Ad-
miral Dewey have attended the New
Years receptions for many years.
Rear Admiral William P. Potter
was injured by fall on the steps
of the navy department building, as
he started to the reception. 1t was
e. first reported that he was seriously
injured, but at the naval dispensary,
where he was taken by a fellow Off
Ger, it was found that he had suffer-
ed a broken nose. Admiral Potter
: tripped at the head of a flight of stone
steps and fell against a railing.
A breakfast to the diplomats, given
by Secretary of State and Mrs. Knox,
in the building of the Pan-American
union, shortly after noon, was a bril-
liant affair. This year marked de-
parture from precedents, in that the
reception took place outside the home
of the secretary Of state.