The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-04
BLACK BAN PUT
ON ABYSSINIANS
ENJOYS From Emperor Are
Deprived of Peace Feast in
Democratic Club.
END UP AT RITZ-CARLTON
Guide Of Visitors Expects
President Wilson to Act
With Firmness.

The members OF the Abyssinian
mission who came to this country
three weeks ago bearing the congrat-
ulations Of their master, the Ethio-
plan Emperor, to the President and
people of the United States on having
made the world safe for democracy
dined last nisht on the Ritz-Carlton
roof as the guests OF H. H. Topaixyan.
Consul General OF Persia to the
United States. BY reason OF the deli.
cate international questions involved.
Capt. Paul Rex Morrissey, who is ac-
companying the mission as the repre-
sentative Of the President, would have
the story stop right there. He was
gravely portentous about what might
happen should the Emperor OF Abys-
sinia learn the real truth and he was
quite positive that when certain
strong jawed gentleman in Washing
ton hears about 1t there will be rue
tons
But Consul General Topakyan was
perfectly willing to tell his version OF
the incident. Being the duly accred-
ited representative OF friendly Power
the Consul General belongs impartially
to both the National Democratic Club
and the Republican Club.
Cigarette Causes Trouble.
But It struck him that II would be
delicate compliment to his distin-
guished guests on the eve of their de.
parture for Abyssinia to dine them, II
| not wihe them. at the National Demo.
cratic Club, and accordingly he arranged
by telephone for little party OF seven
at the clubhouse on Fifth avenue fol
| yesterday evening. All might have gone
well II the Consul-General had no,
| stopped at the club later for a eiga.
rette.
According to his story he mentioned
the party to a member in the lobby and
then the complications began. The mem.
ber, the Consul-General says, glanced
out the window at the four representa-
tives of the Ethiopian Empire. They
are very black even II they do happen
to be the representatives. Of q monarch
who is the direct descendant of Kins
Whereupon he summoned the steward
and registered a vigorous objection te
the presence in the dining room o,
the Consul Generals guests and th,
steward informed the Persian diplomat
that the club would not be avallabl,
for the feast. Whereupon the Consul
General called up the Republican Ciui
and arranged to entertain the African
emissaries there.
Switched to Ritx-CarIton Roof.
But ]. Cornell Tarler, who is also ao
companying the party ss representa-
tive Of the State Department, feared tina
another fracture of the entente cordial,
between this country and Abyssinii
might result II the Republican Clul
should also prove unsafe for democrac,
and persuaded the Consul-General tina
the best thing to do was to shift tn,
party third time to the Ritz-Carlton
And accordingly. at Q o'clock, or there
abouts, all unconscious that they ha,
been within speaking distance of a casu
belli. the four diplomats began their de
layed meal on the Ritz roof garden.
Meanwhile at the Democratic Club tn
member whose name Consul General To
pnkyan gave as having objected to tn
presence Of his guests was waiting 10
the distinguished party TO arrive, unde
the impression. he told reporters, tina
he had been invited to the banquet. H
expressed the deepest surprise when tol
that the Consul-General blamed him 70
the clubs lack OF hospitality.
Another member explained that forma
affairs OF any sort were barred on Sun
day, as the dining room then was throw
,open to ladies. But Capt Morrissey sal
that he was going TO make a report o
the matter to the President personally