The Five-Layer Birthday Cake

No reporters were present at Yalta. But three U.S. newsmen arrived after the conference broke up, made the long trip home with the President. This week the Associated Press's White House correspondent, Douglas B. Cornell, gathered up his notes, published five articles on Yalta. Some hitherto unknown incidents:

P: A minor crisis arose on the trip to Yalta when the President observed his 63rd birthday. The President's chefs had baked a cake; so had the cooks for the officers' mess. It looked as though one group of chefs would be disappointed, until Daughter Anna Boettiger solved the dilemma. She ordered three more cakes, of varying sizes. The cakes were piled one on top of the other. The first four were labeled First Term, Second Term, Third Term, Fourth Term. On the top cake was a huge question mark. Wrote Correspondent Cornell: "It produced plenty of laughs."

P: Stalin opened the first session of the conference with the Russian equivalent of "Let's get going." Stalin usually talked on his feet, often outstripped his interpreter. Churchill often gesticulated wildly, thundered as though addressing Parliament. President Roosevelt usually talked in a low conversational tone. Added Cornell: "Churchill was the most voluble because he was most frequently in the minority. Mr. Roosevelt and Stalin often found their views coinciding, or at least not far apart."

P: The American delegation soon learned that it was not necessary to down a full slug of vodka for each toast at the formal dinners. Sometimes the toast could be drunk in a weak wine, sometimes it was only necessary to touch the glass to the lips. But when there was a "big toast"--to a nation or a chief of state--the glasses had to be drained. Vodka and wine were served at all meals, even breakfast. To make sure there would be enough, the Russians brought 14,000 bottles to Yalta.

P: Even though some of the appointments of Livadia Palace were luxurious, the plumbing was elementary. Explained Correspondent Cornell: "Supplementary ('Chic Sale'), facilities were installed outdoors; wash basins, pitchers and buckets were supplied indoors."

P: "Americans were cautioned by an Army detail not to pocket any souvenir towels or spoons because Russia is short in many items and the hosts might receive an 'unfortunate impression.' "

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.