The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-19
Special Despatch to THE Sun.
WASHINGTON Oct. !

WASHINGTON, OCt 10.
w TASHINGTON'S favorite quo
M tation now is. Man pro-
w poses and God disposes," with
Bobby Burns's reflection on the plans
Of mice and men running II a close
second. The chief reason is that one
IS forced by the most casual social
survey TO the conclusion that man still
proposes. How else account for the
wonderful crop of October weddings?
Washington has been much occupied
with the Industrial Conference this
week, and preparations are going on
to entertain two more gatherings, one
next week and the other in the week
following
In the midst of all the strain and
anxiety here over the Presidents ILL
ness Mrs. Wilson had a birthday last
week. There was constant success
sion Of messengers at the White
House all day bearing greetings and
flowers and gifts of one sort and an
other. Mrs. Wilson, who scarcely left
the President all day, did manage to
have her mother and sister to luncheon
with her.
People are not so sure as they were
month ago that Washington is on
the eve of the longest and most brill
liant social season in its history, and
that in spite of the critical issues be-
tween capital and labor it is to be the
most lavish. With most of the Belgian
royal family. the Prince of Wales and
Cardinal Mercier already on this side
Of the Atlantic and lingering in the
ofing waiting to see whether the Pres
ident will be able to receive them, nat
urally the various others who were
headed this way. specifically on visits
OF International courtesy. are holding
their horses" until they see how II ali
turns out
There seems to be a general impress
sion that King Albert and Queen
Elizabeth will come to Washington
next week as planned. 1t is not GER
tain that they will stay at the White
House. Nor is 1t even certain that
the President and Mrs. Wilson will
entertain them.
But 1t is argued that they were not
coming to Washington solely to re-
turn the Presidents visit of last
spring. but also to lay before the Gov
eminent of the United States the
plans for the reconstruction of Bel
GUM and the rehabilitation of her
people and to ask American help and
cooperation. That they can still do.
even should the President be unable
10 receive them.
The Prince OF Wales, on the other
hand, comes simply as his fathers
ceputy TO return the visit that the
President and Mrs. Wilson made to
King George and Queen Mary. 1t
seems more probable that that may be
abandoned. even though Col. E. M.
Gregg, the Princes secretary, arrived
a week ago to complete the arrange
ments for il.
Many Diplomats Are Waiting.
There are several diplomats who
are also lingering in the offing, wait
ing for the President to receive them,
and there are others on their way
hither.
Lord Grey has been here for fully
three weeks and has not been able
TO present his credentials as Ambas-
sador to the President, although he
presented them long ago to the State
Department.
Baron de Cartier de Marchienne has
peen here since early in September
waiting for an opportunity to present
ms credentials as Ambassador, having
Deem received as Belgium Minister
originally in April, 1917. Mr.. Varela,
NE new Minister from Uruguay. ar