Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-05-18
R0SEN PLEASED
At Prospectof Again Com
ing to United States.
The Baron Has Almost so Years
Acquaintance With Us.
Russia's New Ambassador to Washington
Seems Pleasant Gentleman.

st. Petersburg. May 1S.-1.30 A. M
In his spacious apartments at the Ho-
tel Del Europe where he spent the past
winter, Baron ROsen, yesterday after
noon, talked to the Associated Press
with undisguised pleasure of the pres
pect of representing Russia at WASH
ington. His acquaintance with America
extends over a period of almost go
years. during which. he said, he had
learned to admire both the country
and the people. Besides his services as
consul general at New York and as
charge d'alfairs at Washington during
President Cleveland's first administra-
ton, Baron ROsen spent much time in
the United States en- route to and from
Mexico and Japan while serving as
minister to those countries. Although it
is IL years since he left Washington he
still retains his membership in the
Metropolitan Club of that city.
Baron ROSen has an engaging per-
sonality and frank, hearty manner,
which is familiar to numerous .ac-
Quaintanccs in America. The premature
whiteness of his closely-cropped beard
and hair gives an impression of age
body at once contradicts. His 1.-THE
frame and clear. pencilled features,
and especially his clear blue eyes, be-
tray a nOn-Russian origin. His ances-
tors lived in the land of the Vikings
dating back to the mystic and legend
AIRY days Of Sweden from where his i'm
mediate branch of family followed the
conquering banners of Gustavus Adolf
phus in the invasion of MuscOvy, 300
years ago. The RosenS settled in Lith-
uania, where the family estates are.
Since the annexation of the Baltic
provinces in 1917 the family has rem
dered distinguished services to the
Russian Emperors in various fields in
some of them displaying remarka BILE
talent.
Baron Rosen has a charming wife
and daughter. who will make pOpu-
lar addition to the social life of Wash
ington.
81 will make no attempt to conceal
the pleasure with which l contemplate
returning to Washington in the capac-
ity of ambassador" said Baron ROsen.
"At the same time 1 am deeply sensi-
bic of the great Importance of the mis-
sion which I am charged by my inn
perial master. AS all Americans who
have ever come to or Travelled in Rus
sia can testify, the word American al
ways has been synonymous with
friend. In the days when I was in
America I found the same warm feel
Ing toward Russia there. IT, unhappily,
the old sentiment of America toward
cannot but attribute it to the misun-
derstanding Of events which proceeded
the present war-a misunderstanding
which / sincerely believe the future
and impartial history will correct. 1t
certainly will be my earnest desire and
purpose to revive the ancient feeling
by bringing about a better understand
ing, / shall be happy, indeed, if l can
contribute in any way to that result.
II have already met President
Roosevelt as a fellow-mcmber of the
Metropolitan Club. although he may
not remember me-
Although he is credited here with be-
ing an advocate of peace now as he
was before the war. Baron Rosen re-
queStCd to be excused from discussing
any political questions. The date of his
departure for the United States has not
yet been exactly fixed, but he will sail
early in June.