The Washington times., 1920-06-17
Presidents and Pies
An Interesting Account of Washington Peo-
pie of Yesterday and Today By the wife
of the Well KnOlDn DiDLoniatist
BY Mrs. Larx Anderson.


pie they don't give a fig for must
be q dreadful bore.
Neither could the Belgian ofn-
GERS. some OF whom dtd not speak
English. have had very good
time, especially at the big official
dinners. served without the wine TO
which they were accustomed. and
sitting neat TO important old Ia
dies who couldn't speak French.
But when they came back TO US
after dinner each evening we had
few girls in who could talk with
them, and served wine and sand
wlches. and had music, so / hope
they enjoyed themselves a little.
There were Belgians as well as
Americans who were not invited
TO functions which they had expect
ed 20 attend. and some who were
promised decorations that they had
not received, and some who had
sent flowers for which they had
never been thanked. As we were
in mourning and could not go 10
anything Though the Vice Presi-
dent had kindly inquired II we could
dine with them), 1t was altogether
very diverting for us TO hear the
gossip.
The second night OF their stay in
Washington the Secretary or state
had a large dinner at his house and
the Diplomatic, Corps was invited.
and the third evening the Belgian
ambassador had dinner and
small reception. After this they
for home.
Soon after this, being rather
tired, we went to White sulphur
Springs, in West Virginia, for
rest. The waters we're excellent,
the air fne, and the walks over the
hills delightful. While we were
there the Prince of Wales arrived
in the United States from Canada
Friends of ours who had met him
in the Dominion had written us en-
Enthusiastically that he was a charm
ing fellow, but we had little
thought OF seeing him ourselves.
In Washington Mr.. Perry Bel
mont's house was given over to HIS
Royal Highness. and the Vice Presi-
dent had a dinner for him there.
The return dinner was held in the
British embassy. with a reception
afterward. A huge reception also
took place in the Congressional Lii
brary, where people poured in all
the evening. The Princes right
arm was no longer in a sling. Some
one said that the grasp Of a cow
boy in Canada had been so hearty
that it had broken one OF the bones
in his hand. After he had shaken
hands for two hours, 1T was sug-
gested to the Prince that he need
not receive any longer.
"They have come here to see me-"
he said. land ! don't wish to disap-
point any one" 1t was l o'clock
before he finished.
The Prince did not follow the
precedent OF the King of the Bel
gians and address the Senate. But.
like him, he did have tea with Mrs.
Wilson at the White House, and
later visited the President in his
bedroom, Mr.. Wilson wearing for
the occasion his famous gray
sweater. As the Prince was fond
of dancing, several impromptu par
ties were given for him late in the
afternoon, and after the formal din
ners.
His higness' visit to White Sui
phur was kept very qiet. The first
we knew about 1t, some friends tele-
phoned down from Washington. ask
ing us to engage rooms for them
at the hotel where we were stay
ing. The prince would arrive incog-
nito, they said, in order that he
might have few restful days to
play golf and write his speeches
for New York.
Neither of the distinguished Brit
ish generals connected with the en-
bassy, nor his American aides, Ad-
miral Niblack and General Biddle,
accompanied him, but only his suite.
Our American military attache to
London during the war was there,
but unofficially. and his wife and
niece and several charming girls
from Washington.
II appeared that years ago. Ed
ward VII, then Prince OF Wales,
had come to White sulphur, and
there all the bellies of the South
had gathered to greet him, and ira
dition may have had something to
do with with his grandson's more
recent visit.
The first evening the prince de-
scended into the hotel ballroom and
danced with the pretty American
girls, from whom he seemed much
interested to learn some new steps.
He was not in uniform, and looked
shorter and stockier than / had ex-
pected, and sturdier, too. i had the
pleasure OF meeting him, and L.,
who knew London we'll, as he had
been in the embassy four years,
talked with him a number or times
during his stay.
ITO he Continued Tomorrowo