Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-04
TITLED DIPLOMATS
Bryce's DecIination of Distinc-
ton and Its Meaning.
DEMOCRATIC WASHINGTON
Foreign Representatives at Capital
Now Plain Citizens.
CHANGES IN THIRTY YEARS
Stats of Embassies and Legations
Show Diminution Of Number of
Counts, Dukes and Princes.
CHANGES IN THIRTY YEARS

A most interesting phase of diplomatic
life in Washington has been touched upon
by the declination of title on the part of
Mr.. James Bryce. the future British am
bassador at Washington. 1t shows, ex-
Guiding the personal desires and policies Of
the person who cast aside the splendor Of
royal recognition that the ambition toward
title and silk-and-gold decoration is
rapidly deterioratiug Especially this is SO
in that which concerns the foreigners in
Washington. A diplomat, in speaking of
this change with a Star representative,
said:
THE action of Mr. Bryce reveals an ac-
tual condition as exists in this city today
condition extant only here, but that. ac-
cording to present Indications will obtain
in the democratic capitals of Europe at not
a distant future time For instance. after
Paris and London, We shall have Rome,
Vienna and possibly st. Petersburg, if NJ
Whites declination several months ago Of
a distinction offered him by the ear is
sign. but Berlin will. always be the last to
withdraw from the historical fame in that
which concerns royalty and nobility.
Since the early nineties." continued the
diplomat. "the titles of those who repre-
scented foreign countries have gradually
been dropped by elimination. Where ten
and fifteen years ago a prince was here,
today a plain citizen only a baron is in
his place. Where the secretaries once
boosted three or four titles. besides long
list of family Names today they strive to
make their cognOmen as short as possible
What the cause for this change has been Is
difficult to tell. In fact. do not believe
place it. | may suggest, however,
this: That a decade so ago Washington
In the diplomatic world, was almost an un-
known quantity. and was usually offered as
a stepping stone to higher honors. How
ever. the preferred ones were always the
ScionS of wealthy once wealthy families,
whose very names eXacted of the govern
ment sending them abroad a certain regard
and preference.
Looking Backward.
I'm looking back over the lists We find
this. In 1892 Austria Hungary was repre-
scented here by a plain chevaler. which is
hardly a tite-Chevalier Schmit Won Ia
vera, then a minister. The rank of repre-
sentaton is not to be brought into this
question. as the embassy or legation is
merely the result of mutual agreement
between two nations who desire to come
into closer communication by allowing their
representatives to each others capital
greater powers. In 1895 Mr.. Ladslaus
Hengelmuller Won Hengervar represented
that country here. Mr.. Hengelmuler re-
ceived his title of baron only few years
ago, about the time that the Austrian le
cation was raised to an embassy. France,
in 1S92, was represented here by NJ. Pate
notre. At that time there We're no titled
diplomats connected with the legation. In
1898, after series of changes in its staff,
Count d Apchier lie Maugin was the only
titled person although his rank low,
he being the third secretary. The second
secretary, Olivier Taigny, titled, but.
although great ariStOcrat. he never made
use of his distinction except in having the
family crown engraved on one corner of
his card When Lieut.. Commander De Fa-
ramona de Lafajole made naval at
tache he discarded his title of viscount
and rod only in h Nantx
officer However, he allowed himself
the use of the title after he married two
years ago but the distinction was more in
favor of his wife than of himself
French and Italian Titles.
Now, France" continued the diplomat
while nominally republic. observes So
cialy as strict a law of nobility as Ger
many. Yet. excepting the Marquis NoialIes.
who served in the late sixties, not a titled
person is observed having represented
that country either as a minister or as an
ambassador Perhaps that is because the
nation. on account of its principle of gov
eminent, should not be represented by a
person who carries distinction that be-
speaks royalty and the past SplendorS of
France. In Jules Cambon, for instance. there
was found-and | voice the sentiment of
American Embellishments of the most sue
cessful diplomats ever in Washington who
has done much toward an almost unbreaka-
Die fdPpiocLeHent VI Tue Two repuDlicS-a
policy substantially carried out by another
untitled ambassador. NJ. Jusserand.
I'm looking. over Italy'S list of diplomats
in this city find practically same
problem confronting us. In the early nine
ties Baron Fava minister from that
-country-he had been appointed as a baron
and such he remained up to the time of his
retirement Yet his title did not obtain for
him the social splendors and recognition
that have been won by those of democratic
principles. AS to the other members of the
italian embassy, there We're Marquis I'M
periali di Francavilla, later Don Mario del
Principi Ruspoli of one of the oldest patri-
clan families of Rome, and again such titles
as Count Vinci. Marquis Camille Romano
Duke Gaetano CaStagneta Caracciolo Baron
Carlo Alliotti and Count Leopoldo Corin-
adj. This representation was prevalent up
to 1900 1901. after which changes came
Yet as is known by every one. the social
recognition won by any of these gentlemen
was, to say the least. measured. and the
official capacity more than limited.
Again. taking Germany, find differ
ent state of affairs. In the past she was
represented by plain citizens. In 1892 Herr
Won Holieben was minister and Baron Won
Ketteler secretary. the only nobleman in a
-ceeded by Baron Avon Saurma-Jelitsch who
was succeeded soon after by his predeces-
sor Mr.. Won Holleben. Three years after
ward Speck Won Sternburg-nOW baron and
amba ssador from that country-waS only a
plain citizen who was titled later in rec
ognition of excellent services rendered in
his diplomatic capacity.
Great Britain fifteen years ago had the
late Sir Julian Pauncefote, very plain
man in his manner. who in democracy out
did, probably. the most democratic Ameri-
can. His staff was also representative of