Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-12-28
THE KELLEY CASE.

John NJ. Francis, lately United States
Minister at the Court cf Vienna, to which
A. M. Kelley was appointed as successor by
President Cleveland, ssYs that the Aus
trian government did not base its objec-
ton to receiving Mr.. Kelley either on
the fact that his wife was Jewess or on
the fact that their marriage was only a civil
contract, and it was mover intended that
this government should be so advised. He
said: ~ had long conversations with Count
Kalnoky on the subject at the time the diff
fculty arose, and while he pointed out that
q Jewess, or even lady of proximate Sem.
itic origin, could have no social status in
Vienna, he never once limited to me Off
cially that that would in any way influence
the Judgment of the Austrian government.
II think if Hebrew had been appointed
instead of Mr.. Kelley, he would have been
received and recognized in his official capa-
city. His position would certainly be a very
uncomfortable one, in a social sense, under
the prevailing usages of the Viennese soci-
ETY., but as far as official relations are con.
cerned, don't think he would suffer.
"The prejudice against the Hebrews only
affects their social relations. Some Of the
largest business men in Vienna, us is well
known, are Jews yet, while they mix with
Christians in their affairs, they have dis
tinct society of their own. Baron Roths.
child, I may tell you, appears just once a
year at court at State ball, stays but a
short time and goes away, while his wife
never appears there at oil. Indeed, however
eminent Hebrew may be, or however COM
handing his ability, the doors of the exclu-
sive circles of Catholic Vienna are perms-
nently closed against him.
1.-THE current belief that Mrs. Kelley
origin was the reason Of her husbands re-
lection is simply all unfortunate mistake on
the part of Baron Schaeiier, the Austrian
representative at Washington. Count Kali
noky telegraphed to him in his reply to his
announcement of the appointment of Mr.
Kelley, that bis government would like to
have an opportunity OF considering the APP
pointment before finally consentiUg TO it, as
is the custom in such cases, and confiden-
TALLY limited at the known fact Of Mrs.
Kelley being Jewess. Baron Schaeffer's
action in giving publicity to this confidential
communication was gratuitous on his part
and certainly illadvised.
"1n Europe diplomatic usage requires that
foreign country shall be consulted as to its
willingness to receive g proposed minister
before he is sent; aud the correspondence
which passes on the question is always re-
garded as confidential. In America differ
ent custom obtains; yet l may remind you
of the case Of Catacazy, who was recalled BY
the Russian government from Washington
at the request Of our State Department on
account of his being concerned in the publ
cation of some political articles offensive to
this government in New York paper.
There is no truth in the statement that the
rejection was due to The intervention Of
Italy.
''The Austrian press, which is almost
wholly under the direction OF Hebrews, were
unanimously opposed to the acceptance of
Mr.. Kelley. The fact ofMrs. Keiley's being
Jewess would not have been sufficient to
cause his rejection if be had not previously
been rejected by Italy. Tie Austrian gov
eminent seems to have no feeling of un
triendlness toward the United States. l
was always reminded in my interviews with
the Austrian foreign office of the fuct of the
friendly relations existing between the two
countries, and that it was the sincere desire
of the Austrian government to maintain
these relations without interruption or mis-
understanding"