The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-07-04


one of the most curious phases of
1.-THE war, from the American stand
point, is the relations of the bel1g-
erent diplomats in Washington. the
term belligernt is fairly accurate, too.
They fight not with guns and bayon-
cts. but with cold looks, formal I'M
Ipoliteness, and elaborate snuos.
To understand this exceedingly
lcomphcated and embarrassing social
situation one must realize that che
typical European diplomat is the very
soul of convenrionality, bound aoso-
lutely by rule and form. He has not
II the American directness and frank
1 ness; In him personal feeling must
/ be carefully subordinated to good
usage.
Il Last week two young diplomats met
\ unexpectedly in the department OF
state. One represented Russia and the
/ other Austria. A year ago they were
/ like brothers, continuing in this coun-
try a friendship begun in Europe
years ago. Both were guests at the.
/ same house party last summer. and
rumor engaged their affections With
| two American sisters. The declara-
/ ton of war changed all this intim-
i acy. They studiously avoided each
other throughout the winter. Then.
one day. they came face to face In
the department of state. The young
Austrian made slight movement
toward his former friend. and paus-
/ ed. For moment their glances met;
then each without a word. made a
i formal bow, and they passed out OPP
posite doors. Last year they would
have gone through the same door arm
/ in arm
Such encounters are embarrassing
to both parties and the department
of state, through each OF It's EN-
pIoyees, makes an effort 20 avolo
them whenever possible. FORMER
Secretary Bryan frequently accompaa-
/ led an ambassador to the elevator
himself to insure his getting away
without embarrassment, and eve :!
subordinate is on the watch to sea
that representatives of opposing coun
tries do not meet.
| The diplomats themselves are an
xious to avoid such encounters ana
frequently ask who is in room be-
fore entering it. A few weeks ago,
Count Won Bernstorff. the German am
bassador. hastily withdrew from
room because he saw Ambassador
| Jusserand approaching through an
omen door. .sWho is in the next room
Ion this side?" he asked of an Amer
lean secretary he encountered in the
anteroom. "The Colombian minis
ter" was the answer. well, i VIII
90 in there and watt am not at war
with him. said the count as he passed
through the door, leiving the coast
clear for his French adversary.
This diplomatic hostility mas hao
the strongest influence imaginapie on
Washington social life Even II tne
White House had not been in mourn
ing this wear. it would have been I'M
possibIe to hold the usual state am
ners and receptions, with the entire
automatic corps cat silence" with
one another. More than one hostess
has been embarrassed by the uneN-
pected meeting of enemies under ner
supposedly peaceful roof.
At the beginning of the season. one
woman with more courage than 1uos-
ment imagined that she could com
mel the leaders to speak by lnVitlns
| Them to dine together at her mouse.
She invited both the German and the
Russian ambassador, each OF wnom
had frequently been her guests before.
The Russian arrived upon the scene
first and was PLEASANTLY chatting
With his hostess and some other
Guests when the footman announced
the German ambassador, VINO ad-
iyanced half the length OF the room
/ before he recognized the RUSSIAN.
Then he turned on his heel ana walk walk
ed out From the cloakroom ne Sent
his card to the master of the mousse
desiring to see him Immediately
i When that gentleman appeared ne
vas frigidly informed that an apol-
logy was due the German ambassador
in that he had been permitted TO en-
ter the house at a time when It's nos
nitality was also extended to the rep
resentative of nation with wnlcn
the kaiser was at war.
4 Whether or not the apology was
i made has not been revealed, altnougn
1 IL is rumored that the ambassador
was promptly told to go somewhere
renorfed to he hotter than the war
! zone At least he left the house
never to enter it again. His indigna-
tion Is said to have gone the length
.iof issuing an order that no mempef
II of his staff should accept an invita-
ton to that house.
The Russian was no less explicit
lin making his attitude known before
Inc withdrew from the parlor. With
\ Diplomatic courtesy he inttmated ms
belief that mistake had oeen maoe'
since no hostess of the experience
and tact of the lady addressed MouI
have been guilty of so grave a breach
of decorrm as inviting the ambassa-
dors of hostile nations to meet So
cialiy. He made his adieu as briefly
las nossible. The places of the two
honor guests were thus left vacant
At that dinner table, and the hostess
1 understood that the popularity of her
mouse with the diplomats was over.
re story soon went the rounds of the
!; Confessional Women's club, so that
other hostesses profited by the mis-
take.
n $1,000. IN innorfant matter