Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-05
ONLY SMALL PARTY
TO VISIT RETREAT
President Does Not Want In.
terruption in Talks With
Premier.

One Of the first acts Of President
Hoover when he arose this morning was
to hurry to his window and look up at
the sky to see II there were any indi-
cations Of rain and shortly afterward
to seek reports from his camp in the
Virginia mountains where he las PLAN
ned week end with Prime Minister
weather was In that section and regard
ing the condition Of the roads.
President Hoover has mad his heart
set on taking his distinguished visitor
to that picturesque and remote SPOT at
the headwaters Of the Rapidan River
for their series of conferences, ever
since it. was definitely established that
Mr.. Macdonald was to pay him visit.
The President put the proposition to
the prime minister when Mr.. MacDon-
aid formally presented himself at the
White House yesterday AFTERNOON.
There was no mistaking the delight in
the British premier,s face when he
responded that nothing could suit him
better. He was reminded by the Pres
ident that 1t might be q trifie chilly in
the mountain fastness, but this man.
who was raised on the seacoast of North
Scotland, only smiled and said 1t would
be to his liking. Like the President,
Mr.. Macdonald Is o man of simple
tastes, a lover Of nature and the life
outdoors, and, moreover, he would go
far to get away from the stiffness and
pomp which necessarily must accom-
pany the formality prescribed by diplo-
matte custom.
President Not Surprised.
The President was not surprised at
the prime minister's ready acceptance.
rs he had been advised that the idea
would strike Q happy chord with his
visitor, but nevertheless, being Of O
positive state Of mind, he wished to be
sure.
Therefore, this historic conference be-
tween the heads Of the two leading
world powers amidst rustic surround
ings and environments is assured un-
less 1t storms before 2:30 o'clock this
afternoon. The premier and his daugh-
ter Ishbel will move temporarily from
the British embassy. where they spent
last night. to the White House shortly
after 2 O'Clock and, according to the
Presidents plans, the little caravan Of
automobiles to convey his small week
end party to his mountain camp will
be on the way very shortly afterward.
The President wants to be OF as soon
as possible so as to arrive at the camp
before dusk.
Mr. Hoover has asked very few people
to join him on this occasion. He is
seeking privacy and wants as little in
| terruption as possible while he and the
British Prime Minister are together.
Besides Mrs. Hoover, Mr.. Macdonald
| and his daughter. there will be only
| Secretary of State Stimson and Mrs.
| Stimson. Sir Robert Van Stittart, Law
| renee Richey, one OF the Presidents
| secretaries, and Lieut.. Comdr. Joel T.
Boone, the Presidents personal physi-
| clan.
Will Return Monday.
It Is the Presidents intention not to
return to the White House before 10 or
IL O'Clock Monday morning. He
| wouldn't hurry back then but for IN
gagements which have been made for
Mr.. Macdonald BY that time he and
the prime minister will not only know
each other better and viii have frankly
and intimately discussed the great va
riety Of subjects, not only bearing on
the relations Of their respective govern
ments and the world at large, but they
viii have had nearly two days Of relaAa-
ton.
It was interesting to observe during
the meeting of President Hoover and
the prime minister yesterday upon the
occasion Of the latter's formal visit to
the White House Just how ready these
conventions. What tranSpired was some
thing Of q departure from the procedure
on other meetings of this formal nature
at the White House. OF course, Mr..
Macdonald did not initiate this. He
could only follow as his host directed,
despite what his own wishes and incli-
nations may have been. But Mr.. Hoo
yer lost no time in removing the stiff
ness which marked the first few min
YnaAffa0 a q
possible after the handshaking and ex-
change Of pleasantries had been dis
posed of, the President led his guest
from the little group including Mrs.
Hoover, Sir ESme Howard, the British
Ambassador and his wife, and Miss
Ishbel standing in the center of the
Red Room on the first floor of the
White House to window at the far end
OF the room, and at once entered upon
what might be described as q real con-
| versation.
Opinions Are Alike.
II was related afterward that during
those 8 or 10 moments by the window,
| these two men found that each was of
virtually the same opinion not only
as to the availability of the Presidents
camp for q conference place, but .as to
the course later discussions should fol-
low.
Mr.. Hoover and his visitor were not
strangers. They had met during the
latter's visit here two years ago as a
private citizen. Each has followed the
! career of the other closely and during
| the long series of correspondence lead
ing up to virtual agreement regarding
! the principles to follow in arriving at
naval parity between the two govern
ments, they had come to a fairly good
understanding Of one another.
Just the same, when they parted
] yesterday, they did so as old friends.
and as having an attachment for each
other. There was nothing suggestive
| If n rarfinc of ,vor1d rr,Ierr