Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-03-15
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Alexander Gortschakoff, ex.Chancellor
OF the Russian Empire, who died in Baden
Baden on ths llth instant, was born on
July l6, 1889. He acquired experience in
diplomacy under Nesselrode in various
emploYments, and in 1924 he was appointed
Secretary Of Legation in London; in 1880
Charge d'Afaires in Florence, and in 1882
Councillor of the Embassy at Vienna,
where he often acted as Enbassadcr dur.
ing the illness or absence of his chief. In
lS4l he was sent to Stuttgart, and having
negotiated the marriage between the
Crown Prince (now King OF Wurtemherg
and the Russian Grand Duchess Olga, he
was in 1916 made Privy Councillor. In
1850 he was appointed Plenipotentiary to
the German Diet at Frankfort, and in 1854
he succeeded Meyendorf as ambassador
in Vienna. He displayed consummate
tact and ability during the Crimean war,
and it was mainly through his influence
that the treaty of Paris was signed by Rus
STA in March, 1856, after which he sue
ceeded Nesselrode as Minister of Foreign
Affairs. In 1857 he attended the Emperor
Alexander during his interview with
Napoleon III. in Stuttgart. As the
policy of France became hostile to
Austria on the italian question he
increased in friendliness toward the former.
Ambitious above all to restore the prestige
of Russia after the calamities of the Cri.
mean war, he addressed in 1860 circular
dispatch to the European powers appealing
to the same principles of nationalities in
the Two Sicilies which Russia had always
upheld in regard to the Christians of the
East, and demonstrated against any foreign
interference III Neapolitan affairs, at the
same time disclaiming any idea Of revenge
for past defeats. He favored the French
expedition of 1861 to Syria for the protec.
ton of the Christian population against
renewed massacres, but, preserving entire
independence in his foreign policy, he re-
fused to associate himself with France and
Great Britain in their unfriendly attitude
toward the United States after the out.
break of the Civil War. During the Po-
lish instruction of 1868 he availed himself
of the opportunity presented by the inter.
ference Of foreign Powers in behalf OF the
Poles to yindicate the aversion OF Russia
to foreign dictation and her determination
to settle her internal affairs in accordance
with the interests and the integrity of the
Empire, and without regard TO the views of
other nations. This course increased his
popularity at home and his prestige abroad,
and the Emperor, who had assigned to him
the title of Vice. Chancellor in 1862, now
July, 1869 promoted him to the Office OF
Chancellor. In 1866 he succeeded in Sc.
curing the complete separation of the Ro-
man Catholic clergy of Poland from the
Holy See. His most brilliant achievement
was begun in October 1870, when, after an
understanding with Bismarck on the sub
ject, he avsiled himself of the Franco.
German war to undo the injury done to
Russian influence in the East by the treaty
of Paris, by securing at the London Con.
ference of January, 1871. the revision OF
that treaty and the formation of another
on March 18th putting an end to the neu-
tralization of the Black Sea. For this the
Emperor conferred upon him the dignity of
Serene Highness. In the Central Asia
question, 1873 4, he exhibited desire to
avoid disturbing the friendly relations with
England, without, however, receding from
an aggressive policy. After the death Of
Alexander II. and the accession of his son,
Gortschakoff retired from the Ministry and
has since spent his life in retirement.