The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-12-26
AMERICAN EDITORS ARE GUESTS
( = ! OF. ROYALTY IN GREAT BRITAIN
journalists Are Entertained by King George and Queen Mary at
Sandnghan-Worry About Clothes Is Soon Set at Rest
& King Upsets the Arranged Program and Has
- - 8. Bully Day With His Visitors.

uC SullpTS on
tour Of England were notified, after a
round Of rather severe social enter
tainments and of dutiful attendance
upon various political functions, that
King George and Queen Mary would
be graciously pleased to receive them
at Sandringham on Sunday, October
IL. 1t was intimated that it 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.
Sandrlngham is the summer home of
royalty, about one hundred miles from
London on the eastern coast near 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
first group of American magazine and
periodical editors and writer's, through
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
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 gratified editors
into flutter of discussion about the
kind of dress needed for court pres
entatiOn. The ministry of informa-
tion, 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
American. But the decision of the
ministry did not entirely settle this
important matter, nor did the minis
try itself adhere to its ruling for in
fOrmality. Some Officious parsonage
came hurTiedly from headquarters and
announced that it would be strictly
de rigeur to wear a top hat and a
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 one higher in authority
at the last moment gave out final word
that everybody might dress as he
pleased, but that the king would un-
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 capitulate, after four
years and more of war, and 1t was to
be supposed that the atmosphere
about Sandringham would be most con-
genial for Fluctuations. There are no
Sunday papers worth the name in
Great Britain, but the king, of course,
had his own private information about
the happy turn of events. A royal
messenger was indeed in the train
which bore the % Americans to Sand
ringham. His Office was to tell King
George what he already knew.
King upsets Program.
The journey to Sandringham was
taken in a special train, under a semi
cloudy sky. through a lovely land
scape. There was glimpse of the
famous college town of Cambridge,
and of the historic cathedral at Ely.
THE party arrived at the Sandringham
station reserved for the guests of roy
atty about two o'clock and found
waiting there three spick and span
carryalls. There had meanwhile been
received from the major domo of the
specific instructions as to how
the party was to be received. They
were to be divided into three groups,
and each of them was to enter the au-
gust presence separately and was to
remain not more than ten minutes. 1t
was expected that his majesty would
have had quite enough in that brief
period. But it proved that this thought
of the courtiers who seek to decide
Just who shall be privileged to bask
in the smiles of royalty, and how long,
was erroneous. For the king upset
the entire program and had "bully"
day with his visitors, as Mr.. Roose-
welt might call IL; so did his family.
All ceremonies were quickly waived
and forgotten, and everybody had a
grand time.
Sandringham Is noble estate with
fine drives, spacious lawns, prodigal
greenery and occasional lakes ana
ponds. Queen Alexandra, the mother
Of the king, occupied the Castle"