New-York tribune., 1909-06-02
TO pretty Lady Margaret Brtdgeman. daughter of
the Earl OF Bradford.
DUTY BEFORE GRATITUDE.

In all that has been written anent the death of
the late Herr Holstein. who played for many
such extraordinarily important role IN the
direction of the foreign policy of Germany l have
seen no mention made of episode which once
came under my personal notice. and which demon
strates how completely incapable this remarkable
man was Of any such weakness as mere gratitude
1t may be remembered that during the state trial
at Berlin of Count Harry Arnim, which resulted in
the atters disgrace and exile it shown that
the most damning testimony against him
furnished by Hoistein. who had been secretary of
Arnim's Embassy at Paris. and such lunching
and dining almost daily with his chief. whose con-
idence he enjoyed. The evidence demonstrated
that in spite of this intimacy between them he
making constant secret reports TO Bismarck of
the shortcomings of Arnirn. OF course. this led to
greet outcry against IIostein the part of those
who sympathized with Arnim, whom he
cused of having betrayed in the basest manner. In
fact his position Paris became extremely diff
cult.
Hostein thereUpon appealed Bowitz the
correspondent Of The London Times Paris and
whose influence in the French capital very
great. BowItz responded to his entreeties for
sisance and undertook his defence. not only in the
English but also in the French press. with the most
signal success, by showing that Holstefn could not
loyal servant of the German Crown have act
ed otherwise than he did when he realized that the
ambassador rendering himself guilty Of conduct
diametrically opposite to orders from Berlin. and
Of a nature preiudical TO German interests as to
be downright treasona BILE Thanks to this advo-
cacy doors which had been closed TO Hostein were
reopened the social boycott against him was lifted
and his further sojourn in the French capital rem
dered possible.
On January 5, 1870 HolsteIa colled on Blowtz at
Paris to thank him in the warmest fashion for
having thus championed his cause. overwhelming
him with expressions of profound obligation Yet
on January L. Just nine days later. Holstein wrote
a confidential letter 10 my old friend John Mac
donald. the general manager of The London
Times" whom he had met at Bowitz's table In
this letter, sixteen octave pages in length. and
written the official paper Of the German En-
bassy al Paris Hostein urged Macdonald to send
some other man as correspondent OF the Times
TO Paris on the ground that BloWItz was completely
under the thumb OF the Duke Decazes, then Minis
ter of Foreign Affairs and that he was Wiltuiiy
ignoring anI concealinE from the Times an
Orleanis plot in vhich Dccazes was concerned. and
which preparing mOnarChical coup detat
Macdonald did acknowledge this letter. but sent
It Blowtz who did not hesitate 10 show 1t TO his
friends Indeed have had it in my hands on more
than ore occasion.
1t is perfectly true that Decazes and his Orlean-
tst friends about that time planning
monarchical restoration. which only narrowly
frustrated by the loyalty OF good. old Marshal Mac
Mahon 10 the republic. II is also true that Blow
itz possessed 10 very marked degres the friend
ship and confidence Of the duke, by whom he was
treated the ami de la maiscn"
It must likewise be remembered that Orleanist
restoration regarded by Germany calculated
njure her interests and that therefore IIostein
considered & to be his duty his country TO use
every possible means to Illustrate It, one Of them
being by deprivng the potters OF the powerful CO.
operation Of The London Times in the person Of
de Blowitz SJl. at the time it un-
fortunate that his letter TO John Macdonald should
have followed very closely his visit OF graft
tude and thanks to Blowitz, and Of course the af-
fair went far confirm the reputation which he
had already acquired migrate.
Perhaps it is quite fair TO put Il in this Way.
and might be more correctly said that his sense
OF devotion 10 his government was so strong that
it absolutely blinded him any sense of gratitude
those TO whom he indebted for hospitality,
kindness and assistance in trouble
1t is this pecullarity of his character which may
serve to explain his desertion OF Prince Bismarck
on the latters overthrow. holding that his duty to
the Crown came before his attachment. to his
old chief. whom he owed his position. Yet in
spite OF this OF feslty the sovereign. and
notwithstanding the great influence lie exercised
over Germany's foreign policy personhed by
the Kaiser. he him only during the
a private dinner given by the BIlows az which
the Emperor particularly insisted that he should
appear. He was never a court in society
MARQUISE DE FCNTENOY.
WEDDINGS