The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-05-12


Mrs. Harding by the diplo-
matte ENJOYS of the Latin-American
nations was a gesture Of friendliness
from the republics of South and
Central America to tho one great
republic of North America, and con-
sequently will go down to history
as an event Of international import
ance.
The twenty American nations,
which maintain diplomatic estab-
lishments at Washington were rep
resented in the group Of hosts and
the guests invited to meet President
and Mrs. Harding were selected with
great care and included the diplo-
matte corps. the leaders of the Of
fetal world and the most disting-
uished men and women in resident
society. The company was limited
to perhaps / 200, and II ~ whisper
ed that nearly TOO requests for extra
invitations were received by the
committee.
A brilliant event. beautifully
planned and carried out with great
lavishness of detail, this reception
had added interest from the fact
that this was the first social func-
ton at which society has had OPP
portunity to meet the President and
Mrs. Harding. And in view OF the
canceling by President Harding of
all the social ceremonies incident to
the Inauguration. 1t had an import
ance which will not be without
hearing upon our relations with
other American nations.
The reception had all the stateli-
ness and much of the old-world
charm Of a court function and ar
ranged with the same regard for
precedence and etiquette. The
guests were all assembled before
the arrival of the President and
Mrs. Harding at 1890. the diplo-
mats and important officials maxi
ing their way up the south stair
way to be greeted by a receiving
line headed by the Ambassador of
Chile and Mime. Matthew, and in
GLIDING the several Latin-American
ambassadors detailed to Washing
ton, with their ladies. The other
guests were made welcome by an
other group of diplomats. with tho
Minister of Ecuador and Nine. Eli
Zalde at their head-the Minister OF
Cuba and Nine. de Cespedes, who
were to have been the first to greet
the guests, being indisposed.
The President and Mrs. Harding
were accompanied from the White
House by Colonel Clarence Sheriff.,
the Presidents aide, and were met
at the entrance of the Pan-American
building by a special reception COM
mittee, which included the Ambas-
sador of Chile and Nine. Matthew,
the Ambassador of the Argentine
and Nine. lie Breton. the Ambassador
of Peru and Nine. Pezet, the am
bassador Of Brazil. the Minister of
Charge d'Affaires Of Panama and
Ramona Lefevre.
In the Hall of Flags, which takes
its name from its colorful frieze OF
the flags OF the American nations.
the President and Mrs. Harding
were greeted by their assembled
hosts and the heads of missions OF
the European nations, and after
chatting for few moments with
them, they were escorted into the
great Hall OF the Americas. the
diplomats falling into line behind.
Vice President Coolidge, who had
also been welcomed by a special
committee, Joined them there.
When all were in their appointed
places, the "Star-Spangled Banner"
gave the signal and then the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Harding greeted the
tees of the Supreme Court, with
the ladies Of their families, and
other Official folk who were
grouped about them in a roped-off
Enclosure.
The silken ropes were then re-
moved and the guests. marshaled
into line, were presented to the
President and Mrs. Harding and
by Mrs. Harding to the Vice Pres
ident Colonel Sheriff. made the
introductions and the company was
greeted first by DIR. l. s. Rowe.
director general of the Pan
American Union.
MRS. HARDING'S GOWN.
In a white costume. her arms full
Harding blue. Mrs. Harding made
a charming picture, and she and
the President won all hearts by
the cordially of their greeting.
The great cluster OF orchids, q gift
from the hosts of the evening, was
presented to the First Lady by Nine.
Matthew, wife Of the Chilean Am
bassador.
Mrs. Harding's gown was fash
toned of ivory white charmeuse
embroidered in crystal, rhinestones
and pearls. The embroidery out
lined the square cut decoltage
and encrusted the short sleeves
Of tulle. 1t appeared again on
the graceful skirt which was
draped toward the sides, and on
the long train. A scarf of black
tulle partially yelled the train and
the note of black appeared again
in the velvet flower which caught
the drapery at the waist line and
the taseled cord of crystal and
Jet falling from it
Mrs. Harding wore long white
gloves and about her throat she had
a string of pearls and the black vel
vet hand with its diamond ornament
which she finds becoming. Her
wrap, DOTTED, of course, before she
entered the ball room, was Of green
broche crepe bordered at throat,
sleeves and hem with orchid tinted
ostrich tips.
PRESIDENT JOINS DANCERS.
The reception by the President
and Mrs. Harding lasted less than