The New York herald., 1922-02-12
by MAY BInKnEAD.


PARIS, Jan. 2S.
T HE great social event of the
week in Paris was the Franco
American charity ball. 1t was
meant to have. and did have, far more
than merely social significance. Ger
tainly not within the present genera
tion has so representative a gathering
of Americans been held in Paris, and
the response of the French to the
symbolism of this undertaking was
tremendous. The beauty and magniil-
cence of the setting was equaled by
the eminence and dignity of the per-
sonalities who sympathized with it's
objects and it's possibilities for pro-
noting. in practical ways, a closer
moral entente between the two peo-
pies. The arrangements of the ball
were perfect, and it's striking success
must be attributed largely TO the or
ganizing talents and untiring industry
OF two American women who are the
wives of distinguished Frenchmen-
~NAiiCs Il ttuI DuPuy NDtc IltItll ITONn) j.
wife of the we'll known Senator, who.
at the head of the Petit Parisien and
Ercelcior, is a leading figure in the
newspaper world; and Nine. Taufflieb
(nee Julia Catlin of New York;, wife
of Gen. Tauffiieb, who represents AL
SAGE and the city of Strassburg in the
French Senate.
There were several thousand persons
present and the large sale of tickets
was undoubtedly due, in a great meas
ure, to the rare opportunity presented
to foregather in one of the most beauti-
full and interesting historic spots of the
French capital The ball was given in
the Ministry of Finance (Palace of the
Louvre). which constitutes one of the
great additions made to the Louvre by
Visconti and Lefeul under Napoleon III.
And this was the first great function
that has been given in these extraordi-
nary salons, which during the last en-
pire were the private apartments of Ma
poleon I'LL. since the days OF that court
whose splendor was finally the downfall
OF the empire.
superb Setting FOR Ball.
These superb apartments have been
maintained In all their imperial magnif1-
cence. They remind one somewhat on
the rooms of state at the Palace of Fon-
tainebleau. but executed on much
more extensive and sumptuous scale.
Napoleon III. spared no expense in
creating a setting for the most brilliant
court in Europe, evidence of which fact
IS seen in the gorgeous chandeliers, tap
estrles and paintings on the walls and
ceilings bearing the names of the fore
most artists of the time. There is In
these princely apartments profusion
OF rich hangings, Gobelins tapestries.
statuary, Sevres vases and clocks. 1t
has been only on the rarest occasions
that these rooms have been seen by even
a portion of the public. as they are now
reserved for entertainments given by the
Ministry of Finance. whose offices were
Installed in this and adjoining sections
OF the Louvre in 1874.
From the windows OF the salons
where the Franco-American ball was
held there was fine view of the Place
de la Carrousel and the garden of the
Tulieries in the moonlight and for those
who love the pageantry of the past 1t
was not difficult amid the light, jewels
and beautiful dresses of the women to
reconstruct in imagination one Of the
most brilliant periods of history. Not
only in its settings but in its objects and
attendance the affair was by far the
most notable function held in Paris in
years having the support and patronage
OF President Millerand, of all the Min
listers. of the entire diplomatic corps and
OF all the leading personalities of Paris
ian society.
The ball opened when Marshal Foch
and the American Ambassador. Mr..
Hyron r. Herrick. mounted the magnifi-
cent stairway. with the Garde Repub-
Mcaine Band playing The Marseilaise"
And ",rhe Star Spangled Banner" Presi-
Gcnt Millerand had promised to be pres
ent, but with the downfall Of the BRAND
Ministry the affairs of state and anxiety
in organizing new Cabinet were press
ing so heavily upon him that at the
last minute he sent Admiral Vingray as
his representative and check for 500
francs. The distinguished guests were
escorted through the rooms by Nine.
Taufflieb, Nine. Paul Dupuy and the
Princcsse de Polk. There were jazz
bands in each of the big salons and
military bands in the halls. but there
seemed to be more interest in the picture
itself than in the dancing. With Am
ssadors, Generals, Marshals. Princes.
Mes and Duchesses, to say nothing OF
hetMinisters Of the Government. about
WHOM there is always mysterious In
lerest. and especially at this uncertain
tnOUltul, anu Ol COuiScs ptdutiAul WOhhSH
In the most exquisite gowns, the scene
can never be forgotten by those who
saw IL. The success so far surpassed
all anticipation that the committee has
decided to make an annual affair of the
bail. The proceeds are estimated at
about $4,000 francs. which will be de-
voted to providing medical assistance for
poor families of the Nineteenth and
Twentieth ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF Paris, es-
pecially with the object of saving the
children. and also giving direct aid to
needy mothers.
Many Americans Attend.
Almost every member of the American
colony in Paris was present at the ball
and many travellers in Europe made
their arrangements to reach Paris for
that particular night. Among those
noticed in the great throng were Mr..
aad Mrs. Parmelec Herrick. Mr.. and
Mrs. Sheldon Wlhitehouse. Col. Bent
ley Mott. Capt. and Mrs. Frank r. Up
ham, Capt and Mrs. George Evans.
Col. and Mrs Walter Cotchett, Major
and Mrs. Lewis Brereton. Mr.. and Mrs
William G. Huntington, Mr.. and Mrs
Fred Singer. Commander and Mrs. A.
s. Hickey and Major Donald Armstron
all of the American Embassy. Others
were:
Mr.. and Mrs. II. II. Harjes. Mr.. and
Mrs. John r. Drexel. Mr.. Hude Neil
son, Mr.. and Mrs. Laurence V. Benet.
Nr opd Nvo Cnaprar pfdd1n Mra Ian-