The Washington herald., 1908-04-12

While all the entire civilized world wa
absorbed a fortnight or 50 ago in III.
discussion as to whether or not DR.
David Jayne Hill would be welcome a.
Berlin as American Ambassador to thC
Court Of the Kaiser. a very similar in
cident was taking place in London anC
at Constantinople in connection with the
appointment Of a successor to the late
Musurus Pasha as representative OF the
Sultan in Great Britain.
But il was SO managed that it at
traeted no particular attention outside
the various diplomatic chanceleries OF
the Old World. In that case, toe, the
name Of a diplomat of high rank and
long service had been submitted by the
Sublime Porte 10 the English govern
ment as its nominee. for the post Of Otto
man Ambassador to the Court of st.
James, and on receipt of an intimation
that no opposition was offered by King
Edward to his appointment, the latter
was made public in the European press
and in particular in the London Times.
Packed and Ready 10 Go.
The envoy IN question was Reehad Bey.
who for many years past had figured as
Ambassador at Rome. Some time after
ward. when Rechad Bey had already
made all his preparations for the trans
fer of his entire establishment from the
banks OF the Tiber to those OF the
Thames, the porte received a quiet hint
that objections 10 him were entertained
at the English court, that he would not
prove persona grata there, and that
under the circumstances it would be nec-
essaTy 10 make some other appointment
in his stead TO the post Of Turkish Am
bassadoF in London
Rechads diplomatic colleagues at Rome
speak in the highest possible fashion OF
him as an unexceptionable member of
their body in every respect But the
English government while abstaining
from any criticism Of his character, took
the ground that ne was not sufficiently
distinguished" to represent the Sultan in
Great Britain; and instead OF making any
fuss about the matter, the sublime porte
rendered the nomination Of Rifaat Bey
IN his stead. Rifaat, after having been
fully and definitely approved by the Brit
fish government, has now received the
appointment, and Will shortly after East
er proceed to London for the purpose of
presenting his letters Of credence 10 the
King.
No Stranger TO London.
Rifaat is no stranger to London, where
he filled the post of first secretary to the
some thirteen years ago. He
was then nominated as Turkish Minister
10 Washington. but at the last moment /
secured the mission to Greece instead, !
and has been since then envoy at Athens, /
where he has been a great faVorite OF /
the reigning family, and was thus again /
brought into contact with King Edward /
and Queen Alexandra on the occasion of /
their visit 10 the Hellenic capital Al /
though married 70 a brilliant and charm /
Ing Russian woman. a daughter of that /
Gen. Count Rennenkampf who was one /
Of the few Russian commanders to great /
y distinguish himself during the recent /
war with Japan, Rifaat is a MOslem, and 1
viii be the first member Of that faith to /
figure as Turkish Ambassador in London, /
where the Ottoman Empire has always /
until now been represented by a Chris 1
tan. although King Edward has prob
ably five or six times more Mohammedan
subjects 20 his seepter than Abdul Ham
d. Rifaat IS possessed OF considerable
wealth, both in his own right and
through his marriage, and viii therefore
le In position TO maintain the Turkish
embassy in London with befitting splen-
Tor interdependently of the interruption in
he payment Of his salary and allowances
rom which most of the Turkish ENJOYS
.broad have occasionally to suffer.
Bitten by Mad Dog.
While at Athens. Rifaat underwent the
unpleasant experience of being
,adly bitten by a dog afflicted with hy-
lrophobia, which likewise injured his two
eeretaries, and all three were hustled on
'osthaste TO Paris. where they were
reated with success at the Pasteur In
utute there and completely cured
That so courteous and considerate
monarch as King Edward should have
laced upon Rechad Pasha the public
light of asking the porte, when he had
lready been gazetted as envoy in Great
Britain, TO appoint some one else in his
tead is attributable 10 the importance |
which he attaches 10 having diplomats
cCTedited TO him as ambassadors who
re not only unexceptionabls in charac-
eF. but also cOngeniaI Whereas a min
'ter plenipotentiary is more or less ac-
redited to the government, the ambas-
ador is accredited personally to the soy
reign. He becomes ipse facto part and !
arcel Of the latter's immediate entour-
ge, intimate circle, and a most impor-
ant member of his court. REPRESENTING |
S he does not merely his government
ut also his ruler. the ambassador Is
-eated with all the distinction and honor !
nat would be accorded to the latter, has |
ght OF access TO the sovereign at all
mes independently Of the department of I
lreign affairs, and to a seat at his table
mong the royalties at any court func-
on.
Should he CongeniaI.
Living in this degree of close intimacy :
ith the sovereign TO whose court he IS Z
ecredited il is Of the utmost Importance S
lat the ambassadors should be in every
,speet congenial to him and that he ;
lould be persona, not merely grata, but
'atissima, TO the chief Of the state II
not enough that he should possess S
the virtues OF the blameless official. L
1t that he should be a personal favor s
e and friend Of the monarch. If he g
ils in this respect the best interests OF h
s government and Of his country ara n
u TO suffer, for no matter how much
odern constitutions may seek to theo- 81
ticaliy restrict the powers of the Crown. s,
is IN the latter that are invariably e.
,sted the supreme control and direction t.
the foreign policy Of the nation. It is e
'eause governments recognize this that Y
ey are willing to go to sometimes le
'tTaOrdinary lengths in the selection OF Il
cir ambassadors in order 10 crafty n
ID please foreign rulers. Thus Count e
bert Mensdorff was promoted al one "
'und from the post of secretary of en- N
lssy to fuli-fiedged ambassador of Aus
la at-the Court of st. James In order - n