Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-28
BANQUET FOR WILSON
HAS ALL ROYAL P0MP
Medieval Gorgeousness at Buck.
ingham Palace-$l5, 900, 900
Gold Plate Used

London. Dec 2S--(By A. P.)--At the state
dinner in Buckingham Palace last night. the
President said that, after comforting with
the leaders of the British Government, he
was glad to say that he had the same con
ceDtions that they had of the significance and
scope of the peace settlement
"lt will be our high privilege" he said,
mot only to apply the moral judgment of
the world to the particular settlement which
we shall attempt but also to organize the
moral force Of the world to preserve those
settlements"
No more regal setting ever had been ar
ranged in Buckingham Palace than that
which greeted President Wilson and Mrs,
Wilson when they were escorted into the
banquet hall last night for the precedent
breaking state dinner Every royal formality
which had attended cpocha occasions at the
palace for zoo or 800 years was carried out
before and during the banquet. President
Wilson and Queen Mary led the procession
into the dining hall, preceded by officials Of
the palace, spendidly costumed, bearing
wands and walking backward and making
obeisance to the guests
Immediately behind the President and the
Queen came King George and Mrs. Wilson.
They were followed by members of the royal
family
At the head of the table twelve persons
were seated, with King George in the middle
President Wilson sat at the Kings right and
Mrs. Wilson on his left. To the right Of
President Wilson was Queen Mary and then
the French ambassador Princess Christian
the Spanish ambassador and Princess Patri-
cia. daughter of the Duke of Connaught. At
Mrs. wilson's left sat Princess Mary. the
Italian ambassador, Princess Beatrice and
the Japanese ambassador, in the order named
The American ambassador. John w. Davis,
had the first place at a side rectangular table
on President Wilson's right.
Scene One of SpIendor
Prior to the dinner President and Mrs.
Wilson were escorted from their apartments
to the great white drawing room. where the
royal family had gathered with their other
guests. These guests were presented to Pres-
dent and Mrs. Wilson and the dinner party
Immediately proceeded to the dining hall
The scene was one OF splendor. In the
dining salon was a great collection of sol'l
gold plate and huge gold ornaments valued
at $15 1000 900. These had been brought from
the vaults for the occasion. one OF three
buffets contained pieces of plate too large
or otherwise too cumbersome for use. These
included one piece of great size. taken from
the wreck of the Spanish armada.
In color the gold-aden table blended with
the decorations in the hall, which are white
and gold with crimson carpet and upholster-
ing to match. The crimson effect was further
carried out by the exclusive use of poin-
settas as floral decorations. In the balcony
at the end OF the room n military
orchestra. not hidden from view by floral or
other decorations. The attendants were in
full state dress, which was heavy with gold
lace.
The banquet hall. which is 200 feet long
by seventy-five feet wide. was approached by
the guests through n state hallway approx-
mately n block long, richly furnished and
decorated with paintings and porcelain. The
banquet hall has n throne at one end.
The main table was arranged so that the
backs of President Wilson and King George
were toward the throne.
1913 Candelabra Light Room
The permanent decorations semed strik-
ngly simple when compared with the regal
table. The only art on the walls was one
Gobelin tapestry. on each side six cut-gass
chandeliers hung from the extremely high
ceiling but for the banquet last night 1928
candles in gold Candelabra, each surmounted
by pink shade. were used. Other light
was obtained from "a ICY wall fixtures.
The general body of the guests preceded
the royal family and the presidential and
ambassadorial guests into the banquet hall.
They rose and remained standing while the
main guests and the hosts entered in pro-
Cession. Heading the procession was the
Lord Chamberlain and the Lord Steward
and other officials In State regalia. Yeomen
uf the guard in red Ellzabethan costumes
and with halberds were in attendance.
Queen Mary wore n Cream.Coored gown Of
silk with long train and n tiara of dia-
momds. Mrs. Wilson'S dress was black, with
spanges, and was made at the White House.
She wore very few Jewels.
The military and naval officers were in
service uniform and wore their swords. The
ambassadors were in full ambassadoria uni
f.t Dr.p hpp l,p
Davis wore formal American evening clothes
The British civilian guests wore court dress
and the insignia of many orders.