The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-04
WHY he WAS TRANSFERRED
Pateaotre Married Without Govera-
meats Cossest.
HIS TRANSFER IS NOT A PROMOTION
Court ut Madrid Not an Entietag One
for Foreign Ambassadors-Fran
Not Much Of = Republic.


interesting gossip In diplomatic circles con-
corning the transfer Of Mr.. Patenotre. the
French ambassador at washington. to Mad
rid, which may or may not be well found
ed. 1t will be recalled that at the time or
the marriage OF NJ. Patenotre to an Ameri-
can lady there were inttmations that It
was not altogether agreeable to his gov
ernnent, because be had neglected TO OBJ
tain in advance official sanction to the
match. Shortly aftcrward it was con-
veyed in plain terms to all the Diplomatic
representatives Of France that &C nsem-
plated marriage with a foreigner must be
communicated to the government and an-
prevail obtained before the MARRIAGE was
sogemnized.
According to what Is said. the official
supertors Of the ambassador have never
quite forgiven him for bis disras1rd or
what was considered an understood obliga-
ton, but they have not thought 1t espedi-
ent to make any outward manifestation OF
disappFpval. whiie at the same time hold
ing a rod In pickle for him. The uansfer
to Madrid, although held back .or several
years after the commission of his of
punishment, but il u most certainly not
in fact promotion. as some have seemed
to suppose. The salary Is lower than that
at Washin gton. the surroundings are much
less attractive and the social life not 20 be
compared with that which exists at this
capital. Many Of the European capitals
are preferred TO Washington by members
Of the diplomatic corps. but Madrid IL not
one Of them. The court Is impoverished
and so is the nobility Decay 10 written on
every side. The city has made 40 tds ance
In centuries. II lacks woefuliy all the
modern appliances which make existerce
comfortable, and 1t is doubtful II TODAY
there are hundred private residences in
the whole city provided with running
water.
There are no longer any Diplomatic ares-
tons ct Importance in which Spain could
be a possible factor, and the great powers
Of Europe, while they continue to maintain
their embassies at Madrid. arc no more
concerned at the attitude Of SJnin on auy
question than they would be at that OF the
little republic OF San Marine. The saleu-
did ceremonial, the costly entertaining,
the brilliant and cultured society which
distinguish public hfe in London. Paris.
Vienna and Berlin make most painful n e
contrast in Madrid So il can be no pro-
motion for the French ambassador to 90
from Washington to such u place. Such
is the talk among the diplomatic corps. but
OF course, the proper thing .or the at1bas-
sador to do is to shrug his SHOULDERS and
say he is delighted with the prospective
! change.
This Incident may seem q little incon-
sMtant with the character OF republican
Institutions In the illustration it affords.
| In Germany almost every one except those
OF the industrial classes and the peasantry
have TO secure the permission of the en-
! rerer before marrying. An officer OF the
army may not marry even one OF his own
countrywomen without going through this
form. But IL b strange that under a re-
| publican form OF goverumert there should
be any attempt TO abridge the liberty O,
the citizen in such sacred matter
whether or not be happens TO be a public
servant
IL Is not generally appreciated in this
country but IL is nevertheless the case
thar the republic In France is much more
In name than La fact. Ex-Governor Nc
Lane CT Maryland. who was minister ia
France under Mr.. Cievelan6's first admin
istrauon, aud who has spent SO manv
years IN Parts in close contact with Official
society. said to the writer of this that
the president Of France had scarcely less
POWER than rhe monarch. that he was sur
rounded with ponp and power and that
the customs and traditions OF the monarchy
and the empire in the administration Of
tHc government n2u Deem handed down.
| II ought 10 be time. after more than
quarter OF century OF supposed repub-
lican government, for the rulers ana people
OF France to be getting away from such
| customs and traditions. and at any rate
| the government should cease interfering
with love affairs
The French ambassador is now In wash
inston. having come from his summer
home at Elberon, y. j., for a brief STAY.
He has not yet received official word Of
bis transfer to Madrid but. he continues
to receive cable fluctuations from friends
IN Paris, and this is tsken as confirrnIn
TIE announcement. VI. Jules Camhon. who
VIII succeed him here. according to latest
| reports from Paris, comes OF a distin-
suished French family. one of the CAM
oons having been minister OF finance fol-
| lowing the revolution Two Of the broth
ers now stand high In the French service
one OF them being ambassador at Con-
stantinople. The other brother. Jules
who will come to Washington. is one Of
the recognized orators Of France. He is
commander OF the Legion az Honor has
served as project OF tbs department Du
Nord. and is now governor general OF Al
| giers, the largest and most Important
French colony, comprising three depart
ments.