The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-01-05
No New Years Diplomatic Din
nerS In Washington.
WHITE HOUSE AGAIN CLOSED
President Wilson Has Never Kept
Open House on the First Day of a
New Year, as All of His Predecessors
Did-No Functions Where Represent
atives of Warning Nations May Meet.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

Washington, Jan. 4-lSpecial. The
been what 1t used TO be. The capital
was the last place which recognized
New Years day as one for social calls,
but it was because the calling was
largely official.
The fact that the president kept open
house Oh the first of the year, receiy-
ing the diplomats, the army and navy
officers, the justices Of the courts. the
senate and house and such other call
ers as could get inside the doors up 10
= o'clock, caused other officials to OBJ
serve the day with open house receiv-
ing. This was particularly true OF the
members OF the cabinet. A few other
people tried to keep alive the custom,
although they held no official govern
mental positions.
White House Closed.
For three successive New Year
days during the present administra-
ton the White House has been closed
The first year the president was tax
AAB a AAoAAO at Il A1o IL L1AAhhs AA 30
the next time the death Of the first
Mrs. Wilson caused the cessation OF
all social affairs around the White
House; this year the president was
spending his honeymoon in the Nir
ginia mountains.
Probably it is just as well. ms ii
would be difficult to arrange a White
House reception where the diplomats
were the chief guests of honor. The
war would make such IN affair impos-
sible unless all diplomats from all war
ring nations declined TO attend.
Diplomatic Breakfast No More.
The war In Europe has also made
the diplomatic breakfast impossible.
Heretofore the secretary OF state has
always given a breakfast at his resi-
dence on the first of the year., imme-
diately after the first part of the re-
ception at the White House. That also
has had to be omitted. as the representa-
lives OF most OF the big nations OF the
world would find Ii impossible 10 at
tend for fear they would meet repre-
CtlidtiNtS VI hdAAOltS at nhi WIN iHtli
countries.
Most important Conference.
Congressman Cooper OF Wisconsin
says that the scientific conference of
the American republics held under the
auspices OF the Pan-American union is
the most important OF all gatherings
in which the United States and Latin
America have participated. because
there is no selfish money interest be-
hind il. "All other conferences have
had money In the background" said
Cooper. "The South Americans knew
that trade and were behind
each movement, and they were sus-
picious that our people might get the
best Of them in the trading. The lat
est conference has nothing of that sort
TO interfere with the free exchange of
opinion and mutual efforts TO help ev-
cry nation"
lone More Lightning Rod"
''One more lightning rod is up; that
Is ALL" remarked Senator Reed Smoot.
He was referring to the Gary dinner.
BY way Of further explanation he add
ed. Roosevelt is taking advantage Of
the possibility that Hughes will not
run. and he is ready to get what he
can when the break comes"
Gould he be elected?"
Il do not believe he would be as
strong a candidate as Root" replied
the senator from Utah.
The New Peril.
1.-The favorite period" said Frank
Mondell in his speech against prepared
ness, selected by amateur military
s~trategists and alarmist scribblers for
staging the impending military cata-
clysm that Is to engulf us-now that
we seem to have temporarily escaped
the japanese peril-is Immediately aft
err the close OF the European war;"
He said that to imagine that nations
weary and exhausted, glutted and nau-
seated with bloodletting, would plunge
into another war with this strong coun
try showed that the alarmists had lost
their sense Of humor.
Barred Doors the Rule.
Not only have the doors been barred
at many points around the capitol, but
the number of capitol police has been
increased. This shows that threaten
Ing letters continue to reach senators
and representatives and that there is
fear that a crank may decide TO blow
up the capitol. Every person is scru-
tinized who enters the capitol these
days unless he Is known to the men
on guard.
Must JostIe Each Other.
The candidates for the Republican
nomination must jostle each other oc-
casionally," remarked a man who saw
Senators Cummins and Weeks sitting
side by side in a group of senators in
the senate restaurant. There are so
many OF them in the senate. Besides
those two In there, | just saw Borah
go out the door and Larry Sherman
come in. William Alden Smith is not
here now. but he will be back when
the senate meets. Five possibilities In