New-York tribune., 1909-03-14

the principal actors. however, IN the negotia-
tions have been that singularIy able French
diplomat, Jules Cambon, who was for SO many
years ambassador at Washington. and who
Is now persona gratissma at Berlin; the Ger
man Secretary Of State for Foreign Affairs
Baron Won Schoen, and Prince RadoIin, German
Ambassador in Paris But the one man TO whom,
more than anyone else all merit is due is the
emperor himself. Ever since his accession to
the throne he has pursued a policy of extreme
concllation toward France. under the
most trying and discouraging circumstances,
his advances being frequently rejected in a
fashion almost insulting, and subjected to mis-
representation and derison
KAISER'S EFFORTS FOR PEACE.
No opportunity ever neglected by him
OF rendering tributes of gracious courtesy to
the French government and to the French peo-
pie. In the case Of any disaster or catastrophe
his message Of sympathy and his offering Of
relief for the sufferers were always the first
TO arrive His condolences, too, were always
couched in the most delicate form whenever
France had occasion to mourn the loss of any
Of her distinguished sons. French officers whose
professional zeal led them to become involved
in the tolls of the German police foreign
spies were always assured Of kindly considera-
tion and of speedy pardon and liberation; while
any French persons of note who visited Berlin
were overwhelmed with the most graceful at
tentions. In short. Emperor Williams attitude
during the twenty years Of his reign has been
most chivalrous and generous toward the
French; SO much that those of the
latter who thought it necessary to profess ir-
reconCilable sentiments toward Germany could
not refrain from expressing their personal good
viii and admiration for the Kaiser, regretting
a pre-eminent degree so many of the qualities
which they love to consider as peculiar to their
own nationality.
1t was in pursuance of this policy of concilia-
ton of the French that William personally ap-
pointed Prince RadOn to be his ambassador
in Paris. some eight years ago. Radolin is
above everything else the Kaiser's own man,
who has been intimate with his imperial master
since the latter's boz Mood. and who notoriously
has always taken his directions from him rather
than from his Chancellor or from the Depart
ment of Foreign Affairs. If the Emperor sent
Radolin TO Paris it was because he wanted an
ambassador upon whom he could absolutely
rely to carry out his own personal policy of
copciliation at the same time maintaining a
semblance of submission to the Department of
Foreign Affairs at Berlin, and he was aware
that Radoin is one of the smoothest Of diplo-
matists; man personifying In a pre-eminent
degree tact, suavity and the most fascinating
appearance Of sincerity. Then. too Radolin
was. through his second wife Countess Johanna
Opperstorff whose mother was a Talleyrand.
related TO half the houses of the old French
aristocracy. In spite of these associations Rad
on as ambassador at Paris, while he has kept
on the very best Of terms with his wifes blue
blooded kinsfoIk. has likewise cultivated the
most important personages of the republican
regime: and 4 is doubtful whether there is
to-day or the banks of the Seine any foreign
ambassador who enjoys a greater degree of
popularity among all classes Of the population
than that typical Polish grand segneur Prince
Radolin.
Emperor William when he dispatched his re-
rnarkable telegram 10 Radolin. couched as fol-
lows: Accept my congratulations and warm
thanks for having contributed by your labors
to the conclusion of an agreement which has
rendered the visit Of King Edward, already so
successful, even more cordial" gave expression
TO the sentiments which he really felt-namely.
that If a final understanding has been brought
about between Germany and France # is more
largely due to Radolin, who has carried out his
yvishes. than to any one else. Capital has been
made OF this telegram by the foreign press In
connection with the story that Radolin is a
candidate for the Chancellorship OF the empire,
in the place Of Bulow. True It is that there is
little love lost between Radolin and Bulow.
The latter resents Radolin's close intimacy with
the Kaiser his constant private correspondence
with the sovereign and his taking his orders
from William rather than from the palace OF
the WilheIrnstrasse at Berlin But II there is
one Office more than any other which Radolfn