The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-09

half-submerged in diplomacy. The Orient and the Occident, the old world and the new are play-fellows in this field of finesse.
 The language of diplomacy is smooth ; the barb is filled off the diplomatic tongue. But the words are not mere wind fried in oil. Oh, No! It usually takes more than five minutes to train a. diplomat, and poker is an excellent school for cultivating the right facial exprssion. In diplomacy the victory is to the subtle, not the strong.
 International tangles may become greatly involved unless women play their part. A snub, slight, a fragrant discourtesy, and who shall say how far reaching it's effects. Petticoat govern ment was, is and always shall be; the method alone has changed. The present system depends more on sense than sex. But woman is still woman, for . that! &
 Madame Riano, wife of the Spanish ambassador, was at dinner one night when venison was served. She remarked facetiously: 'Venison! heard some one had shot deer in the park, and here it is!
 No, there wasn't war, but there have been for~ less.. It all depends on the hostess.
 Visits Secretary First
 When new ambassador arrived in Washington he pays his first visit to the secretary of state. Afterward caparisoned in the trimmings of a for. eign court, he makes state call at the White House, and lays his creden. tials before the President. If his papers are in order his appointment is con firmed and the parties begin.
 First he calls on the senior ambas. sadors and usually sends an invitation to the whole diplomatic corps to at tend reception at the embassy. If he is married, the ladies also are invited The foreign representative at an em- bassy usually enjoys the modest title tambassadQr extraordinary and plenipo. tentiary. At legation he is envoy ex- traordinary and minister plenipoten- tiary. A charge d'affaires is the foreign representative during the absence oi prior. to the appointment of fully f1edged diplomat of higher rank. The larger and more important nations have embassies. The smaller and newer are content with legations. Now you know all about it
 Some of our foreign guests have tidy little personal titles. There. is Senor Don Juan RianO y Gayangos chamberlain to His Majesty the King of Spain, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, and Dr. Ante Ire. sich Pavechich, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary for the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. From the ambassadorial head there .l generally whole procession of coun- sellors, attaches and secretaries. The Japaneses numerically head the list with about 20 and Great Britain runs close second.
 The foreign elment in Washington adds a spice of variety. It creates an interna tional atmosphere and brings the eyasive east and west into closer contact. 1
 At many of the embassies historic treasures have been brought from royal palaces abroad to provide picturesque setting for the decorative uniforms. TC this the elaborate insignia, the gold braid, the medals and sometimes plumed hats deepen the color harmonies and add pantomimic splendor..
 Two Kitchens For Szes
 The Chinese embassy, where the Szs | family preside; has wonderful cid lac | quer cabinets, carved ivory and sill embroideries. Madame Szel is a petite 1 figure and very dainty. Her dress is ! cross between ancient Chinese anG modern American. I remember this little hostess receiving alone one day A steady stream of large and over whelming Americans swept into hel room and the little Chinese woman in her black velvet dress Ga skirt anC Chinese blouse buttoned to the thr0at) was quite obscured, but not the least embarrassed. In quiet, careful English she greeted each guest and smiled, hel pearl earrings bobbing with each jerky little bow, then turning to the next in line as the human ribbon unwoung from the front door to the dining room. 5,&
 In the household of the Chinese en b~ssy two kitchens are installed, one ir which Chinese food is cooked and the other where American dishes are pre- pared. They serve strange delicacies and some of them have a simple basis A wonderful conserve aroused my curi osity one day. It was made of carrots coated in glace sugar.
 At the British embassy Sir Auckland Geddes used to exhibit with pride the carpets used at the Crystal Palace London, on which Queen Victoria stood to perform the opening ceremony of that building. many years ago. He also had Persian rug with a won- derful history, which he resurrected from the royal storehouse, or attic, on his last visit. et..
 Madame Jusserand loves old lace, and you always see some of this at the French embassy Entertainments here are strictly formal. Madame Jusserand doesn't encourage the habit of turning diplomatic calls intOla circus and there is a chilly atmosphere for the uninyited guest who merely does the round out of curiosity.
 But to know the diplomatic set you must attend one of the big receptions at an embassy. These are spectacular affairs. You meet official and social American and foreign diplomacy swirl ing and eddying in circles, with sin Egular male back-wash towards that cor ner table. What table? Why, where you hear the clink of ice in the glass, and the gurgle of the decanter. You know, embassies are foreign soil, tech nically, and once you cross their door, mat you may live under foreign rule so far as the eighteenth amendment is concerned.
 Probably the most notable reception of recent times was that given by Sir Auckland and Lady Geddes for the British debt commission last winter. It was a brilliant affair. Let me paint 1t for you as I saw it.
 Out of bleak night came the pro cession of staring headlights. Fur-cOat- ed women and men with tall hats emerg- ed into the brightly lit hall of that large, yellow house, with it's lamps sur mounted with the royal insignia, crowns.