New-York tribune., 1919-08-04
Doors of Club
Swing Shut ON
Black Prince
General Topakyan, Persian
Consul, Declares Nadao,
Abyssinian, Was Excluded
From Democratic Rooms


royal genealogists to be direct de-
scendant of King Solomon and the
Queen of Sheba, came all the way from
Abyssinia to congratulate the United
States government on Its success in
carrying democracy into darkest Eu
rope. But he may sail away from
American shores this morning with
changed idea Of American democracy.
The prince, fellow members of his
commission from the ruling Empress of
Abyssinia, Waizeru Zauditu, and his
retinue, looked within the shaded en-
clubs, the National Democratic Club,
last evening-but got no further.
The royal visitor was to have been
the guest of honor at farewell din
ner at the Democratic club, but he was
compelled, instead, to bid farewell to
America from the roof Of the Ritz
Carlton Hotel.
Statements Differ Widely
There are conflicting statements con-
corning the enforced change Of plans
as many as there were persons in
volved. Representative of the Demo
cratic organization say it was all a
| mistake and that the prince and his
! wished.
But General II. H. Topakyan, consul
| general from Persia and host at the
dinner, insists that the commission
and its royal head we're excluded
from the club because their skins are
black Moreover, Captain Paul Rex
Morrssey, official host to the commits
sion while in this country, Indignantly
announced that he would report the
action of the club to President Wilson.
The social error that is charged to
the National Democratic Club had it's
genesis yesterday afternoon, when Gen
eral Topakyan, who was showing the
commission the sights Of the city from
motor cars, decided to purchase his
: favorite brand of cigarettes for them
at the Democratic Club rooms. The cars
drew up before the clubrooms in Fifth
Avenue and the general alighted:
"This is where we are to dine to-
night" he said to the prince.
Just what happened next is open to
question. Stories differ. But General
and considerable heat of the occur
rences in the club, says he was ap-
preached by club member named
Shayne, who, having glimpsed the black
silk robes and the ebony skins of the
occupants of the automobiles, asked
if they were to dine at the club.
eyes, they'll be guests at the club
tonight" answered the general.
"But-but they're not white! Well
not have black men eating here" the
indignant member is quoted as saying.
John Hines, superintendent of the
club, was called into conference. The
superintendent, after surveying the
automobiles from behind drawn cur
the protest of the club member and
said that the men we're far too black
for the Democratic Club.
"But do you know who these gentle
men are? Do you know that they have
been entertained by President Wilson
Do you Know
General Topakyan had several more
queries on his tongue, but suddenly dis
covered the futility of argument. Al
any rate, he says that was the case. Sc
he left the club.
Republican Club Visited
Next he went to the Republican
Club, of which he also is a member
AS the consul general of a friendly
nation he always has been given a
hearty welcome at the club. and he
felt sure his guests would be likewise
welcomed, especially since they had
but recently been the honored guests
at the White House.
"Why, certainly" said the house
manager; well be delighted to ar
range the dinner"
Then General Topakyan looked
about the club, glimpsed several men,
bers sitting at ease in the offing, and
began to question the possibilities OF
another unpleasant incident.
81 think I'll call up the Ritz. They'c
probably enjoy that more, anyway" he
said.
AT the Democratic Club head
quarters nobody could be found who
would admit that anything un
scheduled had occurred.
"Why no." said Superintendent
! Hines over the telephone. "It must b'
! all mistake. There was to have
) been no such dinner here. / am SURE
| would have known about it,"
And w. B. Shayne, the club mem
} ber, whom General Topakyan credited
} with the original complaint, insisted
that he knew of no such complaint. II
fact he said he had been. invited b!
the general to attend the dinner.
"And here I am waiting to go.
wonder why he doesn't call for me,
he said as o'clock found him, pre-