The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-28
Which Was Not Based on the Fact that Mrs.
Kelley Was Jewess. Nor Because Her
Marriage Was Civil Contract.
All Discussion Could Have Been Avoided
by the Exercise of Little Tact.
How an Interruption of Friendly Relations
with Austria Would Work to the Dis
advantage of the United States.


lish the following to- morrow: John NJ Francis,
lately United States minister at the court of vi
emma, to which A. M. Kelley was appointed, was
seen yesterday by Tribune reporter. at'the
home of j. c. Havemeyer. Mr.. Francis with
drew from the mission On Aug 3, since which
time, owing to the refusal of the Austrian gov
eminent to receive Mr. Kelley, the duties of the
Office have been performed by James F. Lee,
secretary of legation and charge affaires ad in
term.
"Did you understand the Austrian government
to base its objection to receiving Mr.. Kelley
either on the fact that his wife was Jewess, or
on the fact that their marriage was only civil
contract" asked the reporter
II did not" replied Mr.. Francis, emphatically;
neither of these considerations was looked upon
by Austria officially as ground for the rejection,
and it was never for moment intended
that this government should be 80 advised.
had long conversation with Count Kalnoky
on the subject at the time the difficulty
arose, and while he pointed out that
a Jewess, even lady of proximate Semitic
origin, could have no social status in Vienna, he
never once limited to me- officially, that that
would in any way influence the judgment of
that government. know that Hebrews are not
received in the aristocratic circles Of Vienna
yet am sure the government takes no notice of
this fact officially, while it is quite poweress to
alter it. l am aware, also, that civil
marriage is not recognized in Austria
They have civil marriages there, it is true
though these are required to be also soemnized
by ecclesiastical ceremony I think, for
instance, if Hebrew had been appointed in
stead of Mr.. Kelley, he would have been re-
ceived and recognized in his official capacity
His position would certainly be very uncom-
Portable one, in social sense, under the prevail
ing usaees of Vienna society, but as far as
official relations are concerned don't think he
would suffer-"
How far does the prejudice against the
Hebrews extends"
1T only affects their social relations. Some
OF the largest business men of Vienna, as is
well known, are Jews. yet, while they mix with
Christians in their affairs they have distinct
society of their own. Baron Rothschild, I may
tell you, appears just once year at court, at
state ball, stays but short time, and goes awoy,
| while his wife never appears there at all. The
Baron's son is sometimes invited to private
dinner by minister OF ambassador, but never to
| a diplomatic dinner. Indeed, however eminent
| Hebrew may be, or however commanding his
ability. the doors Of the exclusive circle of
| Catholic Vienna are permanently closed against
him"
docs such prejudice exist with regard to
any other race2"
II am acquainted with diplomatic at Vienna,
the representative of an Eastern government,
-bo {ha al lie
| welded to Oriental customs. That diplomatic
goes everywhere, and is popular. His wife, on
| the contrary, receives no social recognition
whatever. Of course, you will understand am
not defending this custom, only stating it,"
What led to the current belief that Mrs
Keileys origin was the reason of her husbands
| rejectionl"
Simply an unfortunate mistake on the part
of Baron Schaeffer, the Austrian representative
at Washington. Count Kalnoky telegrapned
him in his reply to his announcement of the
appointment of MIR. Kelley, that his government
would like to have an opportunity of considering
the appointment before finally consenting
to it, as is the custom in such cases,
| and confdentialy limited at the known
fact of Mrs. Keileys being Jewess
Baron Schaeffer's action in making public this
confidential communication was gratuitous on
his part, and certainly i'll advised. 1t was only
natural for Mr.. Bayard TO protest. under the
circumstances, and, of course, he did what any
American would do in his place. II, as Count
Kalknoky remarked to me. Baron Schae!fer had
simply directed the attention of Mr.. Bayard, in
a friendly way, to the fact that Mr.. Keileys
| nomination was surprise and that there were
some reasons why time should be allowed
the Austrian government to decide on
their action in the premises, and that, Count
kalknoky assures me. was what he had
intended, no publication woald have been made
of the fact; Mr.. keileys marital relations would
not have been made a subject of discussion, aud
all this trouble would have been avoided. In
Europe diplomatic usage requires that foreign
country shall be consulted as to its willingness
to receive minister before he is sent, and the
correspondence which passes on the question is
always regarded as confidential, in the interests of
international amity. In America a different
custom obtains, yet l may remind you of
Catacazy, who was recalled by the Russian gov
eminent from Washington at the request of
our State Department, on account of his being
concerned in the publication Of some political ar
ticles offensive to this government, in New
York paper"
rs there any truth in the statement that the
rejection was due to the intervention of ItayT
mot shadow. Count Kalnoky says distinct
ly that the Italian ambassador never alluded
to the subject in conversation with him,
and Mr.. Szeogyenyl declares that the italian
government never nterfered in any way what
ever Both of them however. in giving reasons
for the rejection. spoke of the want of political
tact Mr.. Kelley had manifested by his speech
\ Via inly oh vsc 81 Laua
imprudent person as the American represent
alive The Austrian press. which is almost
wholly under the direction of the Hebrews. was
unanimously opposed 70 the acceptance of Mr..