Gilpin observer., 1918-11-28

London.-The American editors on
tour Of England were notified, after n
round of rather severe social enter
tainments and of dutfful attendance
upon various political functions, that
King George and Queen Mary would
be graciously pleased to receive them
at Sandringham on Sunday, October
Is. It was intimated that 1t was a
most unusual concession, for his
majesty and his court preferred to oh
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.
Shndringham Is the summer home Of
royalty, about one hundred miles from
London on the eastern coast near the
sea. 1t had beerl>pcquired 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
a coincidence now in London, were
also included in the royal command,
and together all were to 60, furnish
Ing for his majesty his first personal
view of composite American Journal
ism. The proposed audience, it was
limited by those who arranged 1t, was
substantial and convincing evidence of
l~h int Of hn l. Inn In bn
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-
ton was to throw the gratified editors
into fiutter of discussion about the
kind of dress needed for court pres
entation. The ministry of informa
ton, which has the journalists in
charge, gravely informed them, how
ever, that it was to be no formal Oc
casion but 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, nor Slid the minis
try itself adhere to it's ruling for in
formality. Some ofiiciOus parsonage
came hurriedly from headquarters and
announced that it would be strictly
de rigeur to wear 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 Sandringhan would be most con-
genial for Fluctuations. There are no
Sunday papers worth the name In
Great Britain. but the king, of course,
ho Nv.tx, tv,f
the happy turn of events. A royal
messenger was indeed In the truin
which bore the % Americans to Sand
bingham. His ofiicA, wns to tell King
George what he already knew.
King Upsets Program.
The journey to Sandringham was
taken In n special train, under semi
cloudy sky, through lovely land
scape. There was glimpse OF the
famous college town OF Cambridge
and Of the historic cathedral Mt Ely
The party arrived mt the Sandringhnm
station reserved for the guests Of roy
atty about two O'Clock and found
waiting there three spick and spar
carrynlls. There had meanwhile been
received frCM Inc major domo Of the
minist.y specific instructions us to how
the party was to be received. They
we're to be divided into three groups
and each of them was to enter the au
gust presence separately and was to
remain no. mere than ten minutes. II
was expected that his majesty woult
have hnd quite enough in that brici
period. But 1t proved that this though
OF the courtiers who seek to decid,
just who shall be privileged to bnsl
In the smiles of royalty. and how long
was erroneous. For the king upse
the entire program and had'n bully
day with his visitors, ms Mr.. Roose
welt might call 1t; so did his family