The Washington times., 1922-12-31


enceau just a few weeks ago, a
visitor on an equally unofficial
mission, who was received with
equal enthusiasm.
Clemenceau's visit is still too
fresh in peoples minds to need
recapitulating. But it may be OF
interest to recall that Marshal
Joffre chanced to reach Washing.
ton on the day that the belated
army and navy reception at the
White House was being held-it
had been put off from some time
in February on account Of the
tragic Roma disaster-and that,
with one of those graceful ges.
lures for which they have become
famous. President and Mrs. Hard.
ing gathered him in so that the
man who had command of the
French armies was the bright par
ticular star of a reception given
for the men Of the American serv.
ice.
Marshal and Mrs. Joffre were
first received by President and
Mrs. Harding in their private
apartments, came down the great
stone stairway in their wake with
the little procession of Cabi.
neteers and finally took their
places in the receiving line-the
first time in history. I believe.
that a foreigner had ever been "in
line" at a White House reception.
RR1TISHERS Of international
reputation and engaging per.
sonality are always turning UP
here, and no longer ago than the
early days of November Washing.
ton had q visit from Lord Louis
Mountbatten, cousin Of King
George. and his winsome bride,
the former Edwina Ashley. The
town certainly turned itself out
to entertain them. and. BY the
same token. they provided enter
tainment and enjoyment for every
one with whom they came IN con.
tact and went home leaving many
warm friends behind them.
The battleship Raleigh, vlcs
Admiral Pakenham commandinR,
spent ten days or so in wash.
ington, a continuous baraRe Of
entertaining being laid down for
the admiral and his staff.
Another British visitor of the
last twelve month was Sir Eric
Geddes. brother Of the British am
bassador, who had last been in
Washington during the parlous
days Of the war. And right now
we are looking forward to the
arrival Of the several distinguish
ed Englishmen, headed by the
Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin, w
make up the personnel Of the
British debt commission. Mr..
Baldwin will be accompanied BY
Mrs. Baldwin and Miss Baldwin,
and two or three other members
Of the commission are bring
ing their wives with them. So
it would seem that they are like.
ly to settle down here for a rea.
sonably lengthy stay. They have
taken apartments at the Shore
ham and festivities OF one sort
or another are being arranged in
their honor. including a dinner at
the British embassy on January s
and a receipt on on January 3 at
which the ambassador and Lady
Geddes will be hosts.
DIPLOMATIC changes In the
last year have been numerous
and in some instances bit start.
ling. But the French ambassa.
dor. NJ. Jusserand, still remains
as dean Of the corps despite con.
stantly recurring rumors that he
was to be recalled. And Sir
Auckland Geddes Is still British
ambassador regardless Of the
overthrow Of the Lloyd George
government and the numerous
changes which followed In ~
wake.
There's n new Italian amha.-
sador, the dashinc Prince Gciasio
Caetanl. replacing senator VT.
tor.o TSlandi Ricci. who went
homo not 80 very long after the