The Indianapolis times., 1924-08-19
WHY WASHINGTON
GRAVES NOT TO
DINE WITH PRINCE
Baron Is SociabIe, but Eats
Too Lightly for Ameri-
cans,
BY HARRY B. HUNT,
NEA SerUice Writer

NEA Serrtce Writer
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19.-WheH
the Prince of Wales, disguised as
Baron Renfrew, comes to the States
this month to watch the polo tourna
ment, there will be no mad rush
from Washington to obtain invita-
tions to luncheon, dinners, etc, in
his honor.
Not that Washingtonians don't
like the Prince They do. But most
of them also like food. And from
experience during the Princes visit
to Washington a few years ago it
was found that lunching with a
prince has serious handicaps.
Party Gets Hungry
During the Princes sojourn In
Washington select group OF
twenty-one representative" Ameri'
cans. most of them from official and
! ultra-fashionable circles, were asked
to private luncheon at the town
house\ of Perry Belmont, where
Wales had taken UP his residence.
The royal scion proved a most
charming fellow. He knew offhand
the personal interests and connec-
tions OF each Of his guests, and con-
versed intimately and at length with
each. Meanwhile, luncheon waited
and appetites grew. When the party
finally was ushered into the dining
room, the thing uppermost in the
minds Of most of those present was
food; food substantial and plentiful.
Royalty Served First
Alas! however, for such fond hopes.
Even in democratic America, It
developed royalty must be served
and served first.
And if he doesn't happen to have
much appetite, then his guests
mustn't have much appetite, either.
Perhaps the Prince had break
tasted late that morning. Perhaps
he's a light eater. Anyway, the
Prince got his first and did not wait
on ceremony to satisfy such appa-
dte as he had.
Before the guests at the foot of tie
table had much more than licked
their chops in anticipation of the
ielicacies TO come. His Royal High
ness had finished.
And, having finished. he appar-
emily sensed no reason why he
should remain at table until other
more plebeian and voracious appe-
ties had been appeased. Without
excuse or apology, therefore. he
lighted a cigarette. pushed back his
chair and withdrew.
Party Leaves Hungry
What to 20, in such a crisis? The
guests looked at each other hesitat-
ingly, inquisitatively.
Some one who thought ne knew
the royal regulations, pushed back
his plate and his chair and followed.
Doubtless that was the thing to
DO. so it was done. But ah. how re.
luctantly!
With longing, lingering looks at
the scarcely touched food they had
lust begun to enjoy. the whole party
surrendered its American independ-
snce and trooped out in the wake
VI <ALuGIL EQWdTu elCPLeId.
As an occasion Of distinction in
the lives of the commoners present,
it was an event to be remembered.
But as a luncheon, either royal or
otherwise. it was privately and en-
phatically branded as a frost"
"Diplomatic Immunity"
diplomatic immunity" is one of
the most priced perquisites of for
eign officialdom in Washington.
Its CHIEF value. in the eyes of
the ordinary citizens of the capital.
is that it enables those to whom II
is extended to bring in, free alike
from customs duties and prohibition
interference, pure and potable aIco-
holic beverages.
But to the diplomat and their
families that is merely incidental.
One diplomatic dowager who
parked her car by fire plug the
1ther day defled the protesting po-
iceman who accosted her. She was
not diplomatic in her language, but
she was immune from arrest. She
did not move the car.
Had she been speeding at thirty
miles an hour, she could also have
given the officer the "haw-haw."