The New York herald., 1922-01-15
First Diplomatic Reception
at White House Since War
Annual Event Revived by President and Mrs Harding
Count Laszo Szechenyi, the Hungarian Minister,
and Countess Szechenyi Among the Guests.

WASHINGTON, Jan. IA.
~ f course the President and Mrs
l Harding's reception for the
Diplomatic Corps was tie event
of the week. 1t would be the event OF
any week of any season in which 1t
took place, the annual occasion on
which the nations of the earth, in the
persons of their chosen representa-
tives, and the few remaining royalties
of the earth by their proxies-for the
Ambassadors are supposed to repre-
sent not only their countries but "the
persons of their sovereigns"-make
obeisance to the people in the persons
of the duly elected heads of the most
powerful of modern democracies.
How much more was it the event of
the week when it was not only the
first diplomatic reception of the Har-
ding regime but the first since the
war, which saw Kingdoms rise and
fall, Governments die and new Gov
ernments born-and some Idle a.born-
ing" and indeed the first for several
years before that. The last diplomatic
reception at the White House took
place in the first year of the Wilson
regime-in January of 1914.
In the winter Of 1914-1915 there were
no state events the White House was
in mourning. The following winter, part
of the usual program was carried out.
but since one-half the Eastern Hemi-
sphere was at the throats of the other
half there was no diplomatic reception.
The present Mrs. Wilson had made her
first appearance as mistress OF the White
House, Immediately on their return from
their wedd ing trip as hostess at PAN
American eception"-which replaced
the usual diplomatic receptions recep-
ton to science as personified by num-
Der of distinguished men who were hold
ing a "Pan-American Scientific Con-
gress" here at that time. There were
two diplomatic dinners one with diplo-
matte representatives OF the Entente.
headed by Jusserand as the honor guests,
the other with the diplomats of the
Central Powers, headed by Won Bern
storff-and all the neutrals asked to
both! After that the usual program OF
state functions in the usual familiar
sequence.
Other Receptions Also Abandoned.
The next season the diplomatic re-
ception was passed up entirely, but the
two diplomatic dinners of the previous
season were repeated. and the usual
program of state events followed up to
the reception for the officers Of the
army and navy. Cards were out for that
Everything was in readiness for it, when
at less than twenty -four hours notice
it was called off. The President had
gone before Congress with his message
on Germany's refusal to abandon it's
ruthless submarine program. and while
he was reading 1t Won Bernstorff had
been handed his passports. That day
the great gates to the White House
grounds were closed not to be opened
again until the new mistress of the
White House gave her first order there
on March 4 of last year. The army and
navy reception scheduled for the follow
ing evening was Cancelled. There were
no more of the regular state events at
the White House during the Wilson Ad-
ministration, even though the United
States did not enter the war until the
following April.
This may all sound like post
mortem." but no one familiar with
Washington official society. during the
last two or three administrations, could
fail to remember-and to compare. The
comparative newcomer-whose memory
ran back only through the Wilson
regime, to the state receptions which
that Administration did achieve, or pea
haps to those Of the Taft regime. which
preceded II, were naturally curious to
see just how the Hardlngs would do IL.
They found that the Hardings were do
ing IL quite. quite differently. II their
experience went back to the Roosevelt
day, they, at first. told themselves that
the Hardings were going back to first
principles. They were and they weren't.
There were the same four trumpeters--
at least they looked the same-and the
same flourish of trumpets announcing
the approach of the President and First
Lady as they made their appearance at
the head of the graceful marble stairway
and led the little Cabinet procession
down between pots of Towering plants
and huge standards of cut flowers. The
President looked proud of his attractive
wife-and he had reason to be. She
looked the part of the First Lady in her
gown of creamy chiffon velvet with its
silver and jet embroideries and it's
clever touches of ermine; looked the
Part from the sole of her high heeicd
silver slippers to the crown of her won-
Gerfuly coiffed, ripping silvery hair.
Depleted Cabinet Group.
1t was rather depleted Cabinet group
that followed. The vice-President. who
had made a flying trip to Chicago. had
reckoned without a blizzard to tie up
traffic. He had not been able to get
hack. and Attorney General Daugherty
was escorting Mrs. Coolidge who wore
a very becoming costume of black pail
lettes She was just back from Mer-
oersburg, where she had motored the
day before. regardless of the fine young
blizzard that was raging. to take her
two boys back to their school at Mer-
cersburg. and had gotten back TO WASH
ington only just in time for the party.
Secretary and Mrs. Hughes followed.
Mrs. Hughes wore costume of pale
rose color and silver. Next came Sec
retary and Mrs. Weeks, Secretary and
Mrs. DENLY. Mrs. Fall and Mrs. Hoover.
and Mr.. Davis was paired with one Of
the Presidents aids because of the ILL
ress OF Mrs. Davis.
They had passed into the Blue room
lrnOqf bQforp ono reatizad that tbay