The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-08-25
WESTINGHOUSE SOCIAL, SEASON
THREATENED BY EUROPEAN WAR
Estr%angement of Diplomats Owing to Fierce Conflict in
Europe Upsets Society at the Capital and Dull Season
the Coming Fall and Winter is the Outlook.

as the result of the European war.
end with little question the coming |
season will be the dullest that has
been seen in the National Capital for |
many years. says an article IN the
Washington Star. The formal an
-nouncements are like those made by
the old colored uncle who told of the
breaking UP Of the one-ring circus,
1.-The big snake ne done gone and
swallowed de monkey. the elipfant he
xtomPed on de snake. tie boss got
mad and gave dat elephant "a whack-
ing dose of stricknine and dare amt
gwine to he no show"
With the diplomats left out Wash
ington society has lost its most bril-
liant ornaments. Adding to this the
fact that the White House will be In
mourning. il leaves little to be eX-
pected i'm Washington soc ETY.. Even
last year. when there was little or
40 extraordinary cause for a cesSa-
ton of social doing. things were very
quiet. for Washington people who say
very freely tina a Democratic ad-
ADMINISTRATION means that little money
will he spent on social affairs, for the
majority Of the politicians OF that
faith may be rich in wisdom and
political lore, but are extremely 4 n
pockets.
As the result the present outlook
is very bad. The florists and caterers
who depend upon the Washington
four hundred for their means of sup
port are already cutting down their
plans for the coming winter and pre-
pairing to get along as best they can,
with expenses reduced to d minimum.
Entertaining Score.
One of the local effects OF the war
between the European powers which
has already been decided is that there
will be but little entertaining at any
of the embassies. at least as long as
the war continues, and probably for
many months after. Not only have
the members of the various embas-
sizes whose countries are actually en-
gagged in war decided to retire from
the social field. but they have been fol-
lowed in this determination bv all the
other diplomats, who realize the diff
cult situation in which they would be
placed.
If Mrs. Spanish ambassador SIOuld
give a %uncheon and invited Mrs. Eng
lish Ambassador, it would also be alb
solutely necessary to ask the wife OF
the representative of Germany. But
hen what would happen? OF course
those who now these ladies woulo
not for a expect hat there
would be hair pulling or even sarcas.
tic remarks, but there would be mu
tual embarrassment, which, IN dlplo
matte circles, must be avoided whert
such a thing is possible. Not to Civ,
lunches will avoid the trouble, there
fore lunches of this type will not b.
given.
The diplomats themselves must ais,
be on their guard. While Sir Ceci
Arthur Spring-Rice, who represent
Great Britain, has been the past yea
the almost constant OF ID
Constantin Theodor Durlba. h rep
,0- t~ d. ht- frsO
ship will probably be dropped, as lon
as the two nations are at war. TIL
we'll worn path across Connecticut av
enue, which separates the tWo embas
sizes only by its width. will no lOnge
be traversed. say the social expert:
unless late at night, when no scande
might come and old times can b
talked over without any reference t
the roubl which are tearing the na
tions Of Europe apart.
Last year, which was the first i
which Spring-Rice represent Gref
Britain in this country, there We
comparatively little entertaining Z
the British embassy, as the amDasss
dor was ill from the time of his al
rival until the season was practical
over. Lady Spring-Rice, howeYe
proved to be a most popular hostes
not giving large entertainments c
account of the illness Of her husban
WI MI IL lIflp ol SIIlO
~luncheons and quiet afternoon affair
As a matter of fact the entire q
plomatic service whether their n
tons are concerned in the prese.
war or not. will simply drop out of g
social functions. unless. of the me
informal character, until the troub
Is over. The representatives. Of Il
belligerent nations will refuse all i
vitations and will extend none of a
kind. which mean that some of t
houses which have been noted f
their lavish Entertainments will 7
main dark during the coming Sc
son.
OF all the washington homes
which Washington society has be
invited, that of the Russian ambaSs
dor. Baron George Bakhmeteff. h
been renowned for wonderful rece
lions. The Russian ambassador pl
chased a new home only last ye
that OF Mrs. George i'ullman, on t
Avenue of the Presidents. With