The times., 1898-09-11
OUR MINISTER TO AUSTRIA.
MIR. Mckinley Would Elevate Him
to an Ambassador But for Spain.


to an Ambassador But for Spain.
Quite lively controversy between the
United States Government and Austria
is reported to have taken place recently
in regard TO advancing the rank of the
imperial envoy at Washington and the
American minister at Vienna to the grade
of ambassador. This request it is UNDER
stood was made by President Mckinley
and the refusal OF Austria 10 comply with
it has caused the friendly relations be-
| tween the two government to be con-
siderably strained.
The President was anxious TO promote
Mr. Charlemange Tower in order that he
might take a place proporuonate to the
grandeur and Importance of the United
States at all court ceremonies and Of
hciaI functions in Vienna, notably at the
festivities which are about 10 be held
in connection with the Emperor's jubilee
But he cannot do so unless Austria agrees
to give corresponding sra:us to her rep
resentative at Washington
Count GolouchOwski, the Austrian min
lister OF foreign affairs, has responded 10
the communication of the State Depart
ment upon the subject that Spain is so
deeply Inundated by her recent disasters
that the Austrian government does not
purpose TO give offense to the Queen Re
gent and TO the Spanish people by grant,
ing 10 the United States increased dip
Iomatic Importance at the present junct-
ure, a response which has caused much
irritation at the White House.
Spain maintains full-fiedged ambassa-
dor at the court of Vienna, and as mat
ters now stand he by reason OF his su-
perior diplomatic rank. walks far in adj
vance of the United States minister. and
receives all sorcS of honorS and compli-
ments that are withheld from the latter.
Ambassadors have a right TO seat at the
table of the sovereign and of the reigning
| family at all state banquets and court
suppers, whereas the ministers plenipo-
/ tentiary have TO take their chances Of
getting anything 10 eat with the crowd
The ambassadors figure in the royal and
imperial procession. whereas the ministers
do not, and no matter how long a minis
ter plenipotentiary may have been waiting
to see an imperial parsonage, or any Aus
trian dignitary, if an ambassador makes
his appearance upon the scene he Is re-
ceived before the minister.
At the forthcoming ceremonies in con-
nection with the jubilee Of the Emperor
the ambassador of yanquished Spain viii
occupy a front seat with the ambassadors
l. y. "a. n,
France and Germany, while the United
States minister, unless he is recalled by
the President, will have to stand far
away in the rear beside the ministers OF
Switzerland. Servia, Greece and the pet
~ South American republics
There IS no country which more fire.
quently resorts to methods of this kind
for the purpose of infiicting Sights upon
foreign governments who happen to have
incurred her dispIeasure than Austria, and
the war of 1850 between France and Aus
tria may be said 10 have originated with
the inpertience gratuitously offered to
Napoleon III by accrediting as envoy to
his parvenu court of the Tulleries Herr
Hubner who had begun life as a tinker
and had made his way into the diplomatic
service by rendering himself valuabIa TO
the great Prince Metternich as confden-
tial messenger.
Austria. too. Is the only government
that has the iDsolence to send abroad as
its representatives ENJOYS whose wives,
though claiming and receiving in foreign
countries the prerogatives of ambassa-
dresses. do not enjoy the right of pre-
sentation at the court of Vienna. and who
are not known even by sight to the mem
bers of the imperial family. 1t Is per-
fectly true that in the majority of these
cases the only reason why these ladies'
are barred from the court of Vienna is to
be found in their plebeian origin But,
still. it is manifestly piece of gross dis
courtesy on the part of Austria TO send
abroad as envoy diplomat whose wife.
although Austria claims for her the rank
of ambassadress In the country to which
her husband is accredited. is not conSid-
cred socially qualified TO be admitted TO
either court functions or social receptions
in Austria.