The Washington herald., 1909-03-07
Rr RrDOLPH DE ZAPP.


and being the oldest diplomatic repre-
sentative accredited 10 Washington. SO
far as service is continued. and therefore
the dean OF the diplomatic corps.
With the Italians recall the honor Of
dean viii devolve upon Ladislaus. Baron
Hengelmuelier Won Hengervar, the Am
bassador Of Austria-Hungary. who was
appointed to the washington post De
cember q, 1902 President and Mrs. Roose-
welt were the guests of honor at small
luncheon party which had been arranged
as a double farewell and 10 cement SIN
further the ties Of friendship between the
Baron and Baroness Hengelmueller and
Mr.. and Mrs Roosevelt al the Austrian
Embassy last Sunday.
By entering foreign territory, as Presi-
dent Roosevelt did when he crossed the
threshold Of the Austrian Embassy, he
demolished another time-honored prece-
dent: but the President did not mind a
little thing like that when he wanted to
say adieu and au revoir to the Austrians.
whom the ROosevelts had known ever
since they occupied a comparatively mod
est residence IN n street, near Connect
cut avenue. when Mr.. Roosevelt served
ne government as civil service commits
.oner.
As 10 the functions and prerogatives Of
g dean Of the diplomatic corps. let me say
hat he Is regarded as the ranking officer
Il the entire diplomatic corps. enjoying as
sach precedence over all its members.
Then. too. he becomes the channel Of
communication between the diplomatic
,orps and the government. the ruler. and
ne court to which he is accredited. in all
matters, ceremonial. official, and social
ffecting It as a whole. 1t IS the dean
no. in conjunction with the Secretary Of
tate, settles all questions OF etiquette
nd who determines the attitude of the
diplomatic corps as a unit In various cir
cumstances that may arise. If the dean
8 a man Of diplomatic experience-an ex-
Qerience which could only be acquired by
.ong years Of service at foreign courts
may be relied upon TO steer the corps
lear Of all sorts of pitfalls and cOntre-
smps. and in consequence thereof 10 en-
hance its prestige and 10 quietly foster its
prerogatives.
los are officially accredited and received
as that powers representative he is in
variably accorded the pas. In other
words. he is invariably acknowledged as
dean, no matter even II he happen 10 be
the youngest member Of the diplomatic
corps In point Of service at the particular
place TO which he is accredited.
few words about the Austrian Am
bassador. Baron Hengelmueller Won Hen
gervar has spent his entire life since he
attained manhood in diplomacy having
entered the public service Of Austria
Hungary in June. 1866. He was for a
long number Of years the counselor, first
secretary, and charge d'affaires OF the
Austrian Embassy IN London. His chiefs
we're often away, and left for months and
months together in sole control Of the af-
fairs Of the mission, he acquired a name
for himself in England as one of the
ablest and most Ievel-headed Of foreign
ENJOYS accredited to the Court OF 81.
James In his own country he became
noted as being possessed Of a more ex-
tensive acquaintance with English poll
tics, English conditions. and English So
ciety than any diplomat in the service OF
Austria-H Hungary.
While envoy later at Belgrade. Servia.
Baron Hengelmueller endeavored 20 ex-
ercise a restraining and moderating influ-
ence upon Milan during the closing
months OF the latter's reign. He did his
utmost to prevent that King from pro-
ceeding TO the extremity Of having his
only son, the Inflated Alexander. at that
time a boy Of seven or eight, torn by
force from Queen Natalie at Wiesbaden
under circumstances Of brutality that ex-
cited worldwide sympathy for the mother
and indignation against the monarch. To
cap the matter. Milan intrusted the mis-
sion OF conveying back the royal child To
Servia to a general who had won his pro-
motion to field rank not through any
service under fire or as a warrior. but by
his compliance as the husband Of lady
Of the court OF Belgrade publicly recOg-
nized as one Of the favorites Of her SOW
ereign.
Unfortunately. Baron Hengelmuener's S
efforts in behalf of decency were frus-
trated by the influence OF the German
Minister, a Bavarian nobleman. Count
Bray Steinberg, who had reasons of his
own for harbOring sentiments Of the most
intense animOsity toward Queen Natalie.
The latter had been IN the habit at Bel
grade Of indulging in fun, mingled with
satire and contempt. at the expense Of
Count and Countess Steinberg in connec-
ton with a disagreeable and ridiculous
adventure TO which they were subjected
at ConstantinOple, and which caused them
10 become the laughing stock of every
court and diplomatic chancellery In Eu-
rope. Milan was !ndiscreet enough OF his
treatment Of his wife, but there is no
doubt that many Of the things which he
did 10 ALLEVIATE the popular good VIII and
10 incur obioquy in his treatment OF her
were instigated by the Count and Count
ess Bray Steinberg, who used to 20 al
StamboUl by the name Of "the Damaged
Bavarians' (Bavarios Endomages). This
nickname was ruefulIy given 70 them BY
the Sultan when compelled to pay them
$4,000 as damages for the adventure
which excited so much amusement on the
part OF Queen Natalie
From Belgrade Baron HengeluueIIer
was promoted 20 Rio, whence he was
transferred 10 Washington, and became
the FIRST Austrian Ambassador TO the
United States. Before coming here he
married a daughter OF Count Dunin-Pro-
zowsh, who, II remember right. was al
one time Austrian Minister at the Saxon
court at Dresden. so that she may be said
TO have been brought up'i in an atmosphere
or diplomacy. She was the widow OF a
territorial magnate OF Austrian Poland al
the time when she married the Ambassa-
dor. and both through her. parentage and
through her first marriage Is afhliatec
with many Of those Polish houses Of the
nobility which play so great a role at the
court Of Vienna and in Austrian govern
ment circles. OF her popularity IN Wash
ington the following was recently pub
'ished:
AS a rendezvous for the smartest oi
the smart sets, nevertheless. the Austri.
an Embassy leads all IN point OF impor-
tance.