Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25
Mrs. Poindexter Silent to All
Queries Regarding Annexa-
ton by DR.. Prada.
EXPLOSION INEVITABLE
Peruvian Counselor Declares
Incident Provided Pretext
for Inviting Resignation.
BY CORINNE FRAZIER.

Tnefe are TWO Sizes 10 every SCOry-
the outside and the inside.
In affairs involving diplomacy or the
diplomatic corps, the inside story usu-
ally remains untold. Perhaps this will
be the fate Of the latest sensation in
Washington, wherein an ex-Ambassa-
doris wife has lost a good servant and
a diplomat good post.
Mrs. Miles Poindexter, wife Of the
former Ambassador to Peru, has stead
tasty maintained silence to all queries
concerning the annexation Of her valued
Inca servant, Cornelio, who followed her
from Peru several months ago and has
since become the manservant Of his
countryman, DR.. Alfredo Gonzalez
Prada, counselor of the Peruvian en-
baSSy.
The facts concerning DR.. Prada's
part in the affair are true as reported
counselor was rebuked by his goveln-
ment solely because of this incident Is
questioned by him rs well as by others
converSant with the rather strained re-
lationS which have existed between this
particular aide and his home govern
ment for some little time. Mrs. Poin-
dexter's tilt. DR.. Prada has declared
openly. merely provided q convenient
pretext for inviting the resignation,
which was forthcoming with rapidly
which almost caused a short circuit OF
the cable line between the Americas.
Bound to Be Explosion.
As to the rift in the friendly rela-
tons between DR.. Prada and Mrs
Poindexter-when an immovable body
meets an irresistible force there's bound
to be an explosion. And these two
principals represent just that equation
Both possess the courage of their con-
victions to an unusual degree. And 1t
need scarcely be remarked that Mrs.
Poindexter Is the epitome Of frankness
Mrs. Poindexter thought that she
was justified in retaining the services
of the servants she had brought here
at her own expense COR rather for
whom she had advanced paSsage) on a
moderate wage basis mutually agreed
upon before they received their pass
ports from Peru, friends say), until
they had served their apprenticeship
and incidentally had given service in
| return for their tranSportation-with
out being considered an "exploiter."
DR.. Prada, probably not knowing any,
thing about Mrs. Poindexter's arrange
ments other than that she paid her
servants less than some others received
in washington, obviously felt that he
was justified in protecting his country
man from exploitation.
He acted upon his convictions. The
lady acted upon hers. The result-a
frank exchange Of opinions letter to
Feru-a rebuke and resignation.
Other Incidents Recalled.
Neither, of course, dreamed that the
AFFAIR would assume such proportions
Little acorns have had a way of
growing into great oaks over night in
Mrs. Poindexter'S colorful career. This
present incident brings to mind an
other occasion when a casual letter
containing some news notes from her
home town paper in the West, was de-
Elected into channels which brought
both fame and censure UNEXPECTEDLY
to the then Santor'S wife. The ref
erence is, OF course, to the famous
articles revealing rather spicy and un-
usual glimpSes into social and official
life in the Capital which appeared sew
eral years ago in q popular magazine.
The President, shortly after their ap-
pearance. appointed the Senator to the
post Of Ambassador to Peru and there
are those who suggested. soto voce,
LnaC the Cnler Executive was deprtving
Washington Of one of its wittiest and
most colorful figures as q precaution
against further literary inspirations!
Whether there was any truth in the
suggestion or not Is o moot question,
but the fact remains that what some
uncharitably inclined acquaintance had
intended for . knock resulted in several
boosts for an important member Of the
Senator's family. The inside of this
story is interesting. Mrs. Poindexter,
having been asked by the editor of q
Western paper to write home some
news notes occasionally for their Sum
day column complied one evening. CIV
ing all the spicy bits free play, expect
ing as she has explained since, that
they would be used only in this one
paper.
Some one else got hold Of them, how
ever and with . little original editing,
sent them out over the country. The
result was young cyclone whirling
about the head of the writer within
the next "a hours. And out Of the
storm arose plea for more letters like
that accompanied by an irresistible
financial offer. Concluding that she
might as well be KILLED for an old