The Washington times., 1937-01-26

against the
people and the Vladimir ROmm
principles he adored while he
, worked here as a correspondent OF
the Soviet newspaper, Izvestia?
A telephone conversation with
one of WaShington's best-informed
men on Soviet Russia explained
this mystery in an incredible way.
The confessions" Of Radek,
leader of the conspiracy of Ron1m
and the others mean absolutely
nothing, so my authority told me.
The trial is "a Stain demonStra-
ton" It is a method of showing
to the Russian people that TrotSky
and everything and everybody con-
nected with him ''iS evil"
But how was it possible to in
fluence Romm and his associates,
If innocent, to testify to a lie,
whose telling will send them up
against the wall to be shot, I in
Quired.
1.-THE Russian character is given
to self decentralization" I was told.
"These men have come to believe
while in prison that since they
are guiltless they will die heroes
because of the injustice that
makes them seem traitors and
worthy of death. Also their fami-
lies have been promised immunity
aS reward for the confession !"
When the diplomats and their
wives in the glory of gold braid,
bright ribbons and Paris gowns
dine at the White House tonight,
they will find the ceremony there
as formal as at European court.
For state dinners at the White
House are serious occasions. They
are impressive with pageantry and
ritual. Even the most important
guest may not deviate from the
established routine.
A limited few enter 1900 Penn
sylvania Ave. by the front door.
You probably will check evening
wrap, broadcloth coat, top hat
and white muffler in the long cor
ridor beyond the east entrance.
From that moment every step
Of the evening is taken according
to the plan of omnipotent custom
and protocol.
Here is the table chart, sir, !"
says an usher pointing to a big
white cardboard map on an easel.
"The cross on Ghe card in your
envelope will show where you will
sit. There is also the name OF
yolr dinner partner" This
way, Madam" ITO the right, sir"
Between silken cords you make
your way to the big front hall. An
aide, white gloved, uniformed and
epauletted, awaits you. II you
are a lady-juSt for tonight-he
offers his arm with gentle firm
nesse. And leads flutt$ring you
past the bright-coated Marine
Band, engaged at the moment
with a Viennese waltz. Qf you
are q man, you tag along with
nobody to cling to-.
The East Room is alive with
other beautiful aides. One OF
these Olympians who seems to be
a leader, announces your name IN
a loud voice. Anot her aid e
glances at a piece Of paper on
which is written the names OF
guests who are his evenings re-
Sponsibility. Escorts you to your
place in the sector of the great
circle in which all the Presidents
guests will stand until the march
to the dining room begins.
Your husband is presented to
his dinner partner and told TO
stand at your right. Exactly at
your right. If he steps out OF line
the circle will be broken.
Meanwhile, other guests are ar
riving-the ladies in their smart
est evening dresses. Plus long
white gloves. Plus a corSage OF
orchids or gardenias given to the
"Little Woman" for this special
occasion. For a few minutes
longer you stand on your pro
scribed spot in the big circle
watching the artistocracy of of
ficial Washington in its party
manners. Studying the irri
descent lights in the great chan
delier, the deep gold Of the heavy
draperies, the forsythia reflected
in the tall mirrors, the portraits
of George Washington ano
Martha, his wife. And thinking
what a pleasant place this White
House is.
Then a voice booms:
"The President of the United
States and Mrs. Roosevelt!" Nov
the circle begins moving. The
guests of honor shake hands with
their hosts. The next in rank fol
low, and so on. When Mr.. anc
Mrs. Roosevelt have greeted the
last in line, they proceed first tt
the dining room.
For a moment the formal cir
Gle wavers. The gentlemen ART
finding their dinner partners
Then it forms again and wind
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