New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-16
LAMSDORFF'S SUCCESSOR.
Baron IsUolslri, Who Is to Supersede
Him as Russian Foreign Minister.


With regard to the rurnors which are current to
the effect that Count Lamsdorff the Russian Minis
ter Of Foreign Affairs is about to make way for
Baron lsvolski. now minister at Copenhagen 1t may
De as well TO recall that at the time OF the death OF
Count Mouravien he was universally regarded as
destined TO take his place at the head of the For
egn Department at St. Petersburg and that most
OF the European illustrated papers even went so
as to publish his portraits those Of Mouravier's
successor
Isvolski e much younger than Count Lansdorf
and. IL may be permitted the expression. more
abreast Of the times. He won HIS spurs repre-
sentative OF the late Gear the Vatican where he
conducted negotiations of the most delicate charac-
ter with so much adroitness as TO win the good Will
both Of his own government and Of the Papacy. Sub
sequently he transferred to Japan. But It is
true that he there when the present Gar Wis
TIED the dominions Of the Milzado heir apparent
lt is largely attributable TO his cleverness that
hostilites between his country and Japan have been
averted until now. despite the provocation which
the japanese have received. and to him must be
ascribed the fact that the Land Of the Rising Sun
should have RETAINED until now from declaring
upon Russia in connection with Manchuria and
Corea
AS a reward for his services he was recently
promoted 10 the post OF minister to Copenhagen.
which, by reason of the close relationship existing
between the reigning houses Of Russia and Den
mark. is not only looked upon as a particularly
agreeable post. indicating confidence and marked
favor on the part Of the royal families. but
also as stepping stone for speedy promotion.
Baron Isvoski has charming young wife and
some pretty children. 70 whom he is devoted. II
he is chosen 10 succeed Count L.amsdorf. It viii
be because of his profound knowledge and expert
ence Of the political situation in Japan and China
we'll IN the Balkans. where he spent q portion
of HIS diplomatic career. He is quiet man. with
the most charming manners. inspiring belief in his
sincerity. hating notoriety and making friends
everywhere.
Count Lamsdorf in the event Of this appointment
being confirmed. will probably be transferred TO the
post OF Minister of the Imperial House. for which
he is prominently fitted. having spent his entire
career since he entered the government service as
youth in the immediate encourage OF the
imperial family 1t is precisely owing to this that
he has never had much experience Of diplomatic
work abroad and his knowledge of foreign states
and situations is only such he has been able
10 obtain while in the suite of the present Emperor
and his two predecessors. all three Of whom have
been very fond of him, looking upon him as an
old and tried servant.
From high authority in England I hear that
Lord Elgin and the members Of the royal COM
mission OF inquiry into the conduct Of the recent
Boer war. and into the shortcomings Of the War
Department in connection Herewith. have, in adj
dtion TO their sensational public report. framed
private 10 the Premier criticising in the most
vigorous language the principal reforms which have
been introduced at the War Department since the
close of the war.
The note is said to be of such character that it
could not possibly be published. although II is I'M
derstood represent the most important fruits OF
the work of the commission. and is even more
damning for the present Secretary OF War. ST
John Brodrick than was the public Parliamentary
report with regard his predecessor in Pail Mall.
Lord Lansdowne, now Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Indeed there a very strong probability that both
of these statesmen may be forced out of the Cab
met by the revelations which have been secured Of
their gross incompetency by Lord Elgin and his
fellow commissioners.
It is a great pity that Count Beugnot, grandson
of the statesman Of that rame. who played great
a role during the regns of the first Napoleon and OF
King Louis XVIII. should have bequeathed to the
Institute Of France that mysterious case of docu-
ments known Ponds dOTleans,' which com
prises all the correspondence and private papers Of
Duke Philip of Orleans. surnamed "Egalte." seized
in 1898 the moment of his arrest, and few days
before he followed the scaffold his cousin King
Louis XVI. whom he had helped to betray and
TO condemn to death. For the Institute of France
is strongly Favored with orleanism. the association
between it and the House OF Orleans having re-
ceived a striking demonstration when the late
Duke of Aumale bequeathed HIS palace of Chan
lilly and the estate. well all the collections
contained therein. the institute.
Consequently. it is extremely doubtful whether
the public will ever be permitted TO know the con-
tents Of these Ponds d'Orleans." which are be-
ieved 10 comprise the most conclusive documen-
tary proofs Of the truth Of the story vouched for
by the late Sir Bernard Burke and other eminent
European genealogists and Of which proofs also
said exist the Vatican and al St. Petersburg.
10 the effect that the child which the consort of
the "Egalite" Duke Of Orleans gave birth at Flor
ence was not a boy. but girl. and that a change
was effected with Chiapini the warden Of the city
prison WHOSE wife had given birth to a boy on the
day. this boy thus adopted by the Duke and
Duchess growing up to become Duke Of Orleans
and ruler of France King Louis Philippe while
the royal daughter Of ''Egalite' and his consort
was reared as the child Of the prison warden Chi
apini figured for some time on the stage as Marie
Stella. and died the wife of Lord Marlborough.
her grandson. the present Lord Marlborough being
married 20 Miss Grace Carr. Of Louisville and OF
Brooklyn. y. Y
The Institute of France. permeated as It is with
Orleansm may safely be relied upon not TO
make public documents bearing upon this exchange
OF children. or any other secrets Instantaneous
to the House of Orleans. that may be found among
the big case Of letters and confidential papers OF
one kind and another bedueathed to it by Count
Beugnot and which formerly belonged to the regi-
eide Duke Of Orleans.
Abingdon House Lanarkshire. where the Prince
of Wales has been staying with Sir Edward and
Lady Colebrooke. has been entirely rebuilt since
its destruction by fire few years ago. when most
Of the pictures and the library as well as nearly all
OF Lady Colebrookes Jewels persisted in the flames
the children being rescued with much difficulty.
Sir Edward and Lady Colebrooke spend much OF
their time in this country. which they are acclls-
toned TO visit nearly every year. usually as the
guests OF William e. Whitney. with whom they may
be said 10 be in a way connected by marriage.
Lady Coebrooke's brother. Almeric Paget having
married Miss Pauline Whitney
Lady Coebrooke is tall. with dark hair and large
dark eyes. in a rather pale face and is
very clever. being adept sculptor and also a
cabinet worker being indeed quite an artist in the
carpentering line. She is also excellent whip
handles the ribbons dexterously for a four-iu-
hand as for tandem. and is one Of the few women