New-York tribune., 1905-07-14
BARON ROSEN'S COUP.
-Ho1o SGghaIe,, NoSU Recovered by
Japanese, Vas Won for the Car.

That Baron Rosens presentation OF his letters Of
credence to President Roosevelt as the Ambassador
Of the Gar to the United States should coincide
with Japan's recapture OF the island OF Saghalien
and its virtual loss to Russia seems an irony OF
fate. for it is TO this particular diplomat that the
Muscovtte crown has been indebted more than TO
any one else for the possession OF this big island.
so rich In mineral wealth and commanding the
mouth OF that great artery Of Asiatic trade. the
River Anur. True. Baron Rosen was a young man
in those days. q acting attache and acting
secretary. He had been rather wild and extrava-
CANT as officer OF the Guards at St. Petersburg,
and IL had been considered advisable to rusticate
him by appointing him to Of the most remote
and out of the way diplomatic posts, where, by
reason Of his surroundings, he would be compelled
10 lead the simple" II perhaps exotic, life.
1t his good fortune to find himself attached
TO a mission of which the chief was NJ. de struve.
for many years afterward envoy at Washington,
where his wife. the gifted and brilliant though
homely Nine. de Struve. has left so many delight
ful memories. Both OF the de Strives took great
fancy young Rosen. and there is no doubt that
their influence played important role in shaping
the successful diplomatic career OF the ex-Guards-
man.
At that time the chief point at issue between
japan and Russia the question OF their re-
spectivs rights to the island Of Saghalien. OF
course IT formerly belonged to japan, forming,
indeed as It does an integral portion OF the group
Of islands known japan. But through the neg
Hgence Of the government OF the Tycoon the Rus
SLAMS had been allowed to settle IN the northern
half of the island and when, in 1887 and 1868, the
MIkado deposed the Tycoon and resumed the tenn
poral rulership of which his throne had been de-
prtved for several hundred years, he was con-
fronted by the fact that Russia held the entire
northern half of the island and was apparently
bent obtaining possession Of the remainder
This the situation when Baron Rosen reached
Japan IN the early los
In thoss days foreigners treated the Japanese
with great deal less consideration than is ac-
corded them to-day. In fact, the japanese received
much less respect than that accorded in India by
the English the middle natives. The foreign
ENJOYS at Toxic disdained hold any intercourse
with any but the most exalted of government and
court officials and treated even these in a sort OF
contemptuous patrontzing manner, intensely gall
ing to them. Rosen set to work to cultivate the
acquaintance and the friendship Of the minor Of
fcials and OF native society much TO the disgust
and amazement of his colleagues OF the diplomatic
corps. who could not understand what they were
pleased describe his exotic, nay. even depraved
taste. He became particularly intimate with the
permanent heads OF the various bureaus OF the
Gainusho or Department Of Foreign Affairs
and caused his chief and Nine. de Struve to invite
them to luncheons and dinners at the legation.
compliments which other foreign mission had
thought It worth while to pay to them.