The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-09
The Real Facts In the Case OF Mr..
Henry White.

NA
We rather think there has been some
confusion in the public mind as regards
the circumstances OF the transfer Of the
Hon. HENRY WHITE from the United
States Embassy at Rome to that OF Paris e.
Now that the cloud of gossip and con-
lecture has been measurably dissipated,
one finds it difficult to discern the small
est ground for the assumption that the
Ambassador had offended the court
circle by any act of brusquerte or any
tactless demonstration. II now appears,
indeed, that the Italian Countess whose
name, it has been asserted, was stricken
from the list of eligibles by Mr.. WHITE
is an English lady. the daughter of "A
very eminent family and connected by
marriage with the new First Secretary
and Counsellor of the British Embassy
at Washington. This of itself should
brand the whole story a. a foolish and
malignant canard. for if there be one
offence Of which Mr.. HENRY WHITE is
VIGOROUSLY incapable il is that Of neg
lecting his duty 10 the titled aristocracy
of England.
For ourselves, We incline TO accept
another and a very different theory in
this august case. Although Mr.. WHITES
transfer was predicted by a Roman
newspaper some time before the fact
was officially announced in Washington .
10 need not and in our opinion does not
follow that the newspaper in question
had knowledge of any friction between
that gentleman and the Italian monarch q,
On the contrary. We now see that such
a calamity was at no time possible. The
truth is that Mr.. WHITE has always made
a specially of c%ultivating monarchs, and
that he suffered no diminution of his
well known dexterity by reason of a mere
removal from London 10 Rome is suffi-
GENTLY proved by the Kings urgent
invitation to join him, on the most init
mate and, so 70 speak, "chummy" terms,
in a hunting party confined almost ex-
clusively to royalty. In fact, the over
ture possessed a double significance.
1t not only disclosed the Kings yearning
for personal companionship with Mr..
WHITE, it disclosed also his deep seated
confidence in Mr.. WHITES accomplish
ments as a big game hunter Of especial
prowess and address.
The theory which commends itself to
our judgment is that the transfer rep
resents merely the first move in a well
considered and thoroughly appointed
propaganda. We believe that the trans
lation of Mr.. WHITE to Paris is the pre-
cursor Of other and swiftly succeeding
translations. 1t is our ineradicable con-
viction that Mr.. WHITE will be sent from
Paris to Vienna, Berlin, st. Petersburg,
Pekin, Toxic. Madrid and so on, the idea
being to exhibit him in all the great CAPT
tails Of the world, and thereby rivet and
forever clamp the affection, the rever-
ence and the submission Of the peoples
everywhere. President ROOSEVELT has
not forgotten the effect produced by Mr..
WHITE at Algeciras some months ago.
1t Is a matter Of common knowledge
that Mr.. WHITE did more in his private
capacity as an influence and unguent
TO calm the passions and to reduce the
Inflammation than all the rest of them
put together. The press dispatches
told us all about It. The mere appari-
ton of his flannel trousers turned once
angry hearts TO orange gelatine. In his
presence the very elements went tame.
and the landscapes thronged about TO
nibble from his hand. He did it all at
Algeciras, and simply by permitting
them TO look at him.
We see, or think we see. the ecstatic
progress OF Mr.. HENRY WHITE in the
capacity Of a universal solvent.