The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-16

confidence would be respected it was written IN
Russian and not In the language OF diplomacy.
This despatch directed the Russian Minister 10 call
Mr. Stewards attention 10 irregularities OF the Lega-
uon which had become scandalous. Thus. for
instance MEMBER OF the Legation sitting in an
open carriage accompanied by q woman not his
wife. and OF unenviabe fame, drove into the private
grounds OF the Empress when she was taxing the
air. Entrance to these grounds is a diplomatic
privilege, and the Emperor felt that privilege had
peen abused when woman was taken into the
presence OF his wife VINO would not nave been
tolerated IN his Court. Another charge was that
women OF evil fame had been photographed at the
Legation in a state OF nudity. This might have
Deen defended upon the ground that such pro-
ces'ling might have had anatomical or scientific in
terest, but, when these photographs were dis
tributed the Chancellor felt that II was scandal
and brought 1t to Mr.. Stewards attention.
Mr.. Seward admitted the justice OF the COM
plant, and the Emperor's cause for anger, but
said TO the Minister that there were peculiar
reasons why the Emperor's forbearance with our
Minister would be accectable to President Lincoln
We were In state OF war with the rebels; they
counted largely upon foreign aid. Russia was our
great safeguard among foreign Powers, and had
been Ostentatious in her friendship. To recall
Minister at that time or make any change in the
legation, especially under circumstances that ha0
not-and for many reasons could nOt-be
made matter Of diplomatic recOurd,
would excite great attention, and would be
miscOnstrued by the rebels and their foreign
sympathlzers as being an evidence of l-feeliDg
between the two countries and prelude 70 the
disruption OF relations, and that the moral aid
thus given TO the rebellion would be detrimental to
the Union cause.
When the request OF Mr.. Lincoln, together with
this statement of reasons was communicated to
the Emperor he consented to withdraw his request
for the recall of the Minister This record Is pointed
to here by the friends OF Mr. Caacazy as Q striking
contrast to what they regard as the impa-
thence and the rudeness Of the American govern
ernment They contend that the errors
OF Mr.. Catacazy should have been overlooked, at
least until after the visit Of the Grand Duke Alexis.
The ad mnistration people admit the force Of this
but say that our Minister was merely charged with
acts OF personal indecorum, which at best were an
offence to good taste and calculated to injure the
person committing them and not the government
OF Russia, while Mr.. Catacazy Is charged not
merely with acts OF personal ndecorum, but
with interference with the AFFAIRS Of our
g0vernment-even 70 attempting to- destroy
It's relations with q great and = friendly
Power. They furthermore point TO the fact that
many months have passed since the request for the
recall of Mr.. Catacazy was first communicated to
granted the matter could have passed into the
confidential records OF the department, and Cata-
cay could have gone home with his bag and bag
gage and no one the wiser. But when this request
was made 1t was allowed to lie dormant. Prince
GOrtschaKon was in Germany, and the matter was
postponed until he returned. SO months passed
away, although little doubt is felt here that
Prince Gortschakon was aware OF the request and
dallied with 1t ana postponed 1t In the nope that
Mr.. CataCazy would make his peace with the Presi-
dent AS reason for this 1t Is said that Catacazy
was favorite with Gortschakon, and that when
selected for the Washington mission 1t was against
the wishes Of the whole Cabinet ana even against
the wishes or the Emperor. with whom Mr..
Catacazy was unpopular, especially on &C.
count OF certain transactions at the Court
OF Hanover, when he was Minister there. II
any Impotence was shown therefore with the
Russian government, the fault must rest with
GOrtscnakon, as our government held that the honor
Of the country compelled 1t TO be peremptory with
man like Catacazy, especially after all reasonable
patience and cpnstesy had been shown.
One thing very certtln. that come what will Of
our relations with Russia the President will sustain
his Secretary and accept the fullest consequences
even to the point OF instantly recalling Governor
Curtin and suspending all relations with Russia
should GOrtschakon attempt to put any indlgnity
upon Mr.. Fish.
There is no doubt that Russia feels some sor eness
Our people at the state Department admit this and
regret It, and statement Is sent forth to-day that
the warmth OF the despatch addressed to Mr.. Cur
ill., about which complaint is made, is the fault, If
II be fault, of Bancroft Davis the Assistant Secre
tary. and that 1t was by some oversight not toned
by the cooler and calmer rhetoric OF experienced
and courty Secretary OF State. All OF TINS will he
explained the fullest satisfaction OF the Russian
government, and will not be permitted 10 stand as
cause OF offence. The charge that the Emperor is
ANNOYED because the President did not return the
call OF the Grand Duke when here Is laughed by
the state Department The reply is made that the
President neither makes nor returns calls. When
Prince Arthur was here the question arose. and the
English Minister was Informed that the President
could not break the custom Of the government TO
make any call whatever. Personally, of course any
honor or any courtesy to that Prince or any
Prince would be paid; but as the Chief Magis-
trate ana representative OF the people, he
could not with dignity do So It Is also
felt that some Of the uneasiness vexat,on felt by
Russia must be attributed 10 Minister Curtin. That
Minister has shown a timdlty and want OF nerve
unworthy OF All American representative and quite
annoying to the administration II he had carried
out his instructions the outset with any skill
or nerve there would have been no trouble and the
criticism Is freely made that he was evidently more
anxious to keep his place than TO express the will
OF the President
AS TO the story published In the
HERALD that Mr.. Kremer, our Danish Minister,
wounded the feelings OF the Russian Minister
at Copenhagen by reading a despatch from Mr.
Fish in censure OF Mr.. Catacazy. much surprse Is
manifested and some indignation. No despatch
was sent TO Mr., kremer OF this kind, but, on the
other hand, confidential letter addressed TO him.
as to all our Ministers, simply detailing the position
OF the government Tor private information, so thai
II the question were ever to arise IN diplomatic cir
Giles the Minister might Informally and intelligenty
explain the action OF his government This Is con-
stantly done, and If Mr. Kremer read such letter,