The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-24
UNFORTUNATE Won HOLLEBEN.
He Was I'm an Extremely Difficult
Position.
Boston Transcript.

Boston Transcript.
The virtual retirement of DR.. Won Holle-
ben from the post of German ambassador
at Washington has become a subject OF in
ternational comment to degree which
change in the diplomatic corps at our capl-
tai seldom occasions. The London Times
speaks of il as greatly clearing the way Tor
the settlement of the Venezuelan embroglio.
and also twits the retiring ambassador with
having failed in an attempt to build up in
the United States an Acknowledgement
party. The Berlin press is the reverse or
complimentary in its remarks on DR.. Won
Holleben. He is charged with having failed
grievously to educate American sentiment
to a proper understanding Of Germany's
motives. One paper rather naively says
that the Yankees have not been moved TO
courtesy even by Prince Henry's gracious
visit to the United States and the presenta-
ton of a statue OF Frederick the Great,
and works on DR.. Holleben in some way
responsible for the fruitlessness of these
evidences of imperial favor The American
press has little TO say about DR.. Won Hol-
ieben's recall, presumably for the reason
that it realizes that experienced dip
lomat he is never allowed himself to
go far out Of touch with his home govern
ment either in what he did or what he
did not do. In fact, American opinion re-
CARDS an ambassador in the correct light,
as representing his sovereign or principal
directly, and therefore does not fall in with
either British or German editors In making
In truth. DR. Won Holleben has had a
very trying task ever since he has been
in the United States His personality
may have not been aid to him, but that
is beside the question. AT time wnen
American sentiment had been ruffied by
the action of Germany, for which no Ger
man ambassador at Washington could pos
sibly be responsible, DR.. Won Holleben was
charged with the execution of a policy
which challenged American sentiment still
further For Admiral Won Diedrich's con-
duct towards Admiral Dewey at Manila,
the Berlin government must have been re-
spOnsibie, either by secret directions 10
him or by its failure categorically to dis
cover it, From the friction between the
two fleets in Manila bay, known to every
officer present, but of which no public
"officiar' cognizance was taken, began the
anti-German feeling here which has been
intensified by the Kaiser's South American
policy. To carry on policy of his gov
eminent which American sentiment re-
garded, rightfully or wrongfully, as hos
tile to the Monroe doctrine, and at the
same time to persuade aaas Ameriea that that IT
conviction, was the contradictory task i'm
posed on DR.. Won Holleben. 1t is not Won
derful that, SO circumstanced, the unfortu-
nate ambassador failed to satisfy either
Berlin or Washington. He was foredoomed
to fail. The circumstances of his departure
from Washington suggest very hurried
y,
not pay to the President or the secretary of
state those visits which while not called
for by international etiquette yet are usu-
ally made by diplomats about to take leave
of absence This is the more remarkable
as DIR. Won Holeben has been usually
scrupulously courteous in his official rela-
tons with our government.
Baron Speck Won Sternberg, who comes
to Washington as special envoy during
the absence" of DR.. Won Holleben, is
favorably known in this country and may
even be said to be kindly regarded in Of
fetal circles in the capital. He has doubt
less been selected for the post with refer
pectation that he will succeed where DIR.
Won Holleben failed. But If Baron Won
Sternberg does not come up to the expecta-
tons of his employers in this respect the
responsibility will not be wholly his. A
personal government which makes it's min
listers and its diplomats practically clerks
and messengers of the crown must not hope
in their respective duties.