The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-11-25
AMERICAN EDITORS ARE GUESTS
OF ROYALTY IN GREAT BRITAIN
Journalists Are Entertained by King George and Queen Mary at
Sandringham-Worry About Clothes Is Soon Set at Rest
King Upsets the Arranged Program and Has
a Bully Day With His Visitors.

yOQI VI 1IlkluAu WCtC hOtihNNt "ANNA
round Of rather sever social enter
tainments and of dutiful attendance
upon various political functions, that
King George and Queen Mary would
be g%raciously pleased to receive them
at Sandringham on Sunday, October
Is. 1t was intimated that 1t was a
most unusual concession, for his
majesty and his court preferred to OBJ
serve the traditions and keep them
selves to themselves, apart from the
formalities Of their positions, at their
country seat-on the Sabbath day, at
least.
Sandringham Is the summer home of
royalty, about one hundred miles from
London on the eastern coast neal the
sea. 1t had been acquired and devel-
oped by King Edward, and was his
private estate, the location of his fine
racing stables and splendid gardens,
and 1t is now the permanent residence
Of his widow, Queen Alexandra. The
ilrst group Of American magazine and
periodical editors and writers, through
q coincidence now In London, were
also included In the royal command,
and together all were to go, furnish
Ing for his majesty his first personal
view Of composite American Journal
ism. The proposed audience, 1t was
limited by those who arranged Ii, was
substantial and convincing evidence OF
the high interest Of the king in the
forthcoming entente between the two
great English-speaking nations. One
hears much on that fruitful subject
Just now In England.
Editors Worry About Clothes.
The first result Of the royal invita-
tion was to throw the gratlfed editors
into q flutter Of discussion about the
kind Of dress needed for a court pres
entation. The ministry of informa-
ton, which has the journalists in
charge, gravely informed them, how
ever, that 1t was to be no formal oc-
casion but a social and unofficial visit
at the weekend to Sandringham, and
that nobody need to lie awake o'nights
worrying about whether to wear a
high hat and morning dress, or the
usual work-a-day suit of the average
American. But the decision of the
ministry did not entirely settle this
important matter, o did the minis
try itself adhere to its ruling for in
formality. Some officious parsonage
came hurriedly from headquarters and
announced that 1t would be strictly
de rigeur 10 wear q top hat and q
cutaway, and other such apparel.
After due arrangements had been
made to accord with this latest de-
cision as to the correct thing in court
fashions, some n higher In authority
at the last moment gave out final word
that everybody might dress as he
pleased, but that the king would IN
doubtedly prefer to see his guests in
the costumes they ordinarily wear at
home. The controversy being happily
concluded the editors started off for
Sandringham In the garb which each
Of them thought best suited to his style
Of beauty. For the most part silk
hats went by the board.
The time Of the visit was most aus
picious. Great news had just come
out Of Germany to the effect that she
had decided to c~apitulate, after four
years and more Of war, and 1t was to
be supposed that the atmosphere
about Sandringham would be most con-
genial for f~elicitations. There are no
Sunday papers worth the name In
Great Britain, but the king, of course,
had his W private information about
the happy turn Of events. A royal
messenger was indeed In the train
which bore the % Americans to Sand
bingham. His Office was to tell King
George what he already knew. .
King Upsets Program.
The journey to Sandringham was
taken In q special train, under a semi
cloudy sky. through a lovely land
scape There was a glimpse Of the
famous college town of Cambridge
and Of the historic cathedral at Ely
The party arrived at the S~andringhan
station reserved for the guests of roy
atty about two o'clock and found
waiting there three spick and spar
~carryalls. There had meanwhile beer
received from the major domo of thu
ministry specific instructions as to hov
the party was to be received. The,
were to be divided into three groups
and each Of them was to enter the au
gust presence separately and was t
remain not more than ten minutes. !
was expected that his majesty woul
have had quite enough in that brie
period. But 1t proved that this though
Of the courtiers who seek to decid
Just who shall be privileged to bas
IN the smiles Of royalty, and how Ions
waS erroneous. For the king upss
the entire program and had a 'bully
day with his visitors. as Mr.. Roos'
welt might call 1t; SO did his famil,
An ceremonies were quickly waive
ana forgotten. and everybody had
Gknnd time.
oaudringham IL a noble estate wit
mo drives, spacious lawns, prodig'
Groenery and occasional lakes an
pcndss Queen Alexandra, the moth'