The Washington times., 1930-01-07
ASSE MBLY IS
PRONOUNCED
SUCCESS
Annual Costume Ball At
tended by Diplomats and
"Cave-Dwellers"

lieved the somewhat garr1sh
effect Of the ancestral robes
donned last night for the
Washington international
Costume Ball. However, not
/ more than half Of the guests
] were attired in costume. And
the annual ball was pro-
/ Mounced a distinct success by
the distinguished group from
residential and diplomatic
circles in attendance.
/ The large ballroom at the
Willard had been decorated
In foreign flags, with an
/. electric light version" Of
the American flag placed at
one end of the room, over
the orchestra stand. Laurel
was used in profusion on the
posts between the boxes.
Best Dressed
Two of the best dressed
women in the diplomatic corps,
namely, Nine. Claudel, wife Of
the French ambassador, and
Nine. Debuchi, wife Of the am
bassador from Japan, occupied
center boxes on each side Of
the room. The former was
gowned in an eggplant shade
of net, and the latter in deep
cream transparent velvet.
The Ambassador had accom-
panied Mime. Claudel, as had
their daughter, Mile. Refine
Claudel, with Miss Dorothea
Morgan. and several members
of the embassy staff. Mile.
Refine was dressed in a dainty
frock of white net, made on
bouffant lines.
The Ambassador and Nine.
Debuchi and the Claudels, with
their party. fingered until past
midnight, when a grand march
was STRUCK up and supper
was served.
A Whirl
The Minister of Panama and
Nine. Alfaro seemed to be en-
joying a whirl around the ball
room, the latter presenting
charming picture, dressed as
"real Senorita,' in a costume of
white null. made in a million
and one flounces. A quaint
bertha fell off the shoulders.
She wore brilliantly colored
flowers in her hair.
Just before IL o'clock Brig.
Gen. William E. Horton, with
much enthusiasm led the bevy
Of debs and post-debs in a
March of Nations" each girl
bearing the flag of a foreign
country. They walked around
first in twos, then in fourS.
and then eights, in the path of
multi-colored lights. Applause,
and exclamations aren't they
lovely" greeted this little fea-
ture.
General Horton finally waxed
SO enthusiastic that he was
shouting to people in the boxes.
"join in the parade!" Bowie
Clarke, and others skipped
around in the wake of the
procession.
Lights were dimmed and a
spotlight thrown on for the
next feature exhibition dances
by Marian Chace and Lester
Shafer-in private life Mr.. and
Mrs. Lester Shafer.
They had chosen a "Valse
Directoire" and a "Garlande
Plastique," an idyll, both created
at the DeniShawn Studio, with
which they are connected. Mrs.
Shafer, a gifted daneuse, Is the
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Daniel G. Chace, of Washing
ton,
Receiving Line
Mrs. Dimock stood at the
head of the receiving line,
wearing a handsome gown Of
satin in the rich shade Of blue.
which is a favorite with this
member of the group of wash
ington's grand duchesses." With
her were Mrs. Claude S. Swan
son, gokned in pink MORE,
made in the graceful mode of
the moment, and Mrs. Joseph
E. Washington, whose black
velvet costume was set off
Strikingly by a white colonial
wig. Both Mrs. Swanson and
Mrs. Washington are members
of the board of governors of
the assembly.
Although subscription fete,
the ball is given each year
under the auspices of a board
of governors, of which Mrs.
Henry F. Dimock is honorary
chairman, the list of those
privileged to subscribe is care
fully scanned by a committee
and an invitation to be present
is esteemed as a feather in
ones cap.
FOrbearS
Forbears of many of the men
and women who danced at the
Willard last night had attended
the balls of a century ago, when
the w hington Assembly
ranked with the Philadelphia
Assembly and the Baltimore AS.
SeEnbly and CharleSton's famous