Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-12-16
WASHINGTON SOCIAL SEASON
OPENS

ALUMINIUM, ~. u, Dec. - ne
program for the White House winter
social season has been announced.
and, as was generally expected. il
omits the coIorful diplomatic recep-
ton, because of the war, and also the
time honored New Years reception for
the public, in accordance with the cEs-
tom President Wilson set when COM
ing into office.
In place of the diplomatic reception
there will be two diplomatic dinners.
The Entente diplomats and all neu-
trails will be entertained at the first
and the Teutonic diplomats and all
neutrals will be guests at the second.
The embarrassment which would
be caused by inviting the representa-
tiyes of the warning powers to rub
elbows at the same reception may De
more imaginary than actual, but they
are regarded by the social managers
as having possibilities, notwithstand-
ing that It is said the ambassador
from one of the principal Entente
Allies and the ambassador from ons
of the principal Teutonic powers AZ
ways exchange courteous greetings
when they pass on the street. How
ever, the program has been arranged
to keep the warning diplomats apart.
This is the program as officially
announced:
December 19-Judicial reception.
p. m.
January diplomatic dinner, s
p. m.
January 16-Diplomatic dinner, s
p. m.
January 23-Congressional recep-
ton, 3 p. m.
January SO-supreme court dinner,
p. m.
February 6-Army and navy recep.
ton, 3 p. m.
February lS = Speakers dinner,
p. m.
Before the war the diplomatic re-
ception was the social show of the
winter. Invitations we're sought so
eagerly by those who we're not Quite
sure to be invited that the president
set the rule of placing an arbitrary
limit on the number. outside Of the
diplomatic corps, who we're TO be in
vited without his personal approval.
in form the reception differed little
from those to Congress, the army or
navy, or the judiciary. In fact it had
distinctly different atmosphere.
The brilliant uniforms of the diplo
mats and their aides, the distinctly
foreign manners of many and the cere-
mOny with which custom surrounds a
diplomat when he Is out in fun dress
uniform made the reception distinc-
tive from the others.
In Q general way all the receptions
are conducted alike. A few special
guests are permitted to enter the
main doors of the executive mansion,
hut most enter at the east entrance,
and after leaving outer garments in
the lower corridors OF the White
House, form in long lines leading up
the marble staircase to the first floor
and into the Blue Room, where the
President and Mrs. Wilson, aided by
members of the cabinet and their
wives with army and navy aides in
full dress, receive them.
The intr0ductions are made by an
aide, brief word of greeting is
spoken. followed by a hasty haDdclasp.
and the guest passes along to the end
OF the receiving line to spend the re-
mainder of the evening moving about
or chatting with friends in the crowd.
Even to personal friends the president
or his wife cannot say more than a
word because to each OF the rece3-
tions come between 1900 and 1000
persons and things have to move on
time. In the state dining room the
guests usually find a buffet luncheon
and in opposite ends Of the main cor
.ridor two sections Of the Marine Band
play almost continuously.
As to the two diplomatic dinners,
the neutrality OF the White House is
concerned in having each no less bril-
liant, elaborate and attractive than the
other. The neutral diplomats BIZ the
fortune of war enjoy two dinners in.
stead Of none at all, as they would
IL the world we're at peace.
The congressional reception from
point of numbers is the largest event
OF the year 1t Ii always q crush.
Every member of Congress, any con-
stitutents who happen in town. his
clerks and stenographers, and many
Others not connected with the COVER
ment at all are sure to be there. The
guests come in street cars and afoot
as well as in automobiles and car
riages. 1t is the commohers' recep-
tion from every point Of view, but the
White House goes to no less pains
with IL.
The supreme court dinner is quiet.
dignified affair II viii be noted that
this years program contains no re
ception to the judiciary, which from
the social point Of view always was
rather solemn affair, so much so that
IL was the only event for which the
demand for invitations did not exceed
the supply.
With the diplomatic reception out of
the way, the army and navy reception
becomes the most colcrful and lively
of all. Officers of the army. navy and
Marine Corps in full dress uniforms