The Washington herald., 1909-01-31
By RUDOLPH DE zAPP.


house keepers and dentists, Washington
is the capital OF the nation. the home Of
Congress, the Mecca OF politicians Of all
sizes. colors. and persuasions. the resi-
dence OF foreign diplomats, the winter
residence OF a society Of its own and the
abiding place OF multitude OF govern
msnt officials.
Il is but natural. therefore. that this
city should also be a hotbed Of gossip
and rumors-signihcant rumors some
times. baseless gossip at most times.
The latter dies as a rule an ignomin-
ious death just 10 leave disagTeesble
taste in its trail. while the former some
times have q real purpose and mission
10 fulfill
A report bearing on a question involv-
ing public policy often finds its way into
public print for the well defined purpose
OF escertaining the attitude OF the peo-
pie. This sort OF talk in most cases is
but the precursor OF the matter discussed
receiving official recognition shortly af-
terward IL some manner.
Rumor is ever busy in diplomatic cir
eles and hardly a week passes that the
old dame has not this or that member
OF the diplomatic corps recalled or trans
ferred OF dismissed. There is always
Tagueness about these reports 50 far as
reasons are concerned, the causes mostly
assigned being 'it was thought that Am
bassador So-snd-So or Minister This-and
That would be better fitted at the Court
Of St. Weissnicht because Of his close
acquaintance with the kings mother-in-
laws aunt. or something equally definite
Sometimes Il Is hinted that the am
bassador had committed n faux pas, the
exact nature OF which Is always steeped
into the darkest. deepest secret Then
again intrigues at home against the dip
iomat, accredited to this or any other
country, are cited as reasons
The latest is from St Petersburg. and
the cable says that "tbe Russian news
papers are fun OF gossip OF impending
changes In the diplomatic service, due 70
the death Of II Muravieff, ambassador
10 Italy. and the approaching retirement
Of the Russian Ambassadors at Constan-
tinopie and Vienna In addition. II IS ex-
pected that there VIII be changes at Ber-
lin and at Madrid.
"A general shake-up il the diplomatic
service, il IS said. VII not long be de-
layed- The changes may also involve
Baron ROsen. the Russian Ambassador at
Washington"
In this connection IL is claimed by the
wise ones that Mr.. Bakmatieff, the pres
ent Russian Minister 10 Tokyo, VIII Sue
ceed Baron Rosen here; that Mr. Bak-
mateiff would be persona gratissima IN
Washington because his wife, formerly
Mary Beale, passed her childhood years
IN this city. Her father was Gen I'd
ward Fitzgerald Beale, grandson Of
Commodore Truxtun, one OF the first six
captains appointed by Gen. Washington
in the early days OF the navy Baron
ROsen, in regards 10 this rumor, said that
II was the first I have heard Of any
such change Il is nothing but a runor-
A dispatch earlier IN the season, which
gained circulation n the press. read Il
is reported IN diplomatic circles that
Baron Rosen has postponed his trip 70
81. Petersburg on the advice Of the Rus
sian foreign Office The baron was ready
and anxious 20 leave No Official reason
is given here for the change Of his plans.
except that they are Of serious na-
ture. Baron ROsen intended 10 leave
here Just before Count AOli. the japan
ese Ambassador, took up the japanese
immigration question with the President
At that time Baron Rosen was directed
10 watch the situation. which had be-
come acute. The mere fact that the
State Department did not make public
its recent cablegram from our ambaSSa-
dor al Tokyo as TO the progress of nego-
tiauons between Washington and Tokyo
demonstrated that there was disagree
rnent." Il IS needless TO call attention
10 the absolute baselessness Of this rs-
port. which vas seriously discussed
in proper circles at the time Of its pub
ncation-
still another report shortly after Ba-
ron Rosen's arrival in this country had
him transferred 70 Paris, where he was
to succeed NJ Nelidof, who. it was
claimed. had never been in close toucf
with the French republican government
being an aristocrat OF the blackest TYP;
and restricting his social intercourse 10 th'
old aristocracy. TO the detriment Of Rus
sian interests in France. It was alsC
said al the time that n IswOlsEi, th'
Russian foreign minister, entertained th'
very highest regard for the abilities o.
Baron Rosen-
.Vftte was associated with Rosen in III,
peace congress at Portsmouth. while
Iswolsd preceded him as envoy at To
kyo. and found in him not only a worth!
successor there. but likewise one disposed
10 continue his policy with regard Il
Japan. Il is true that Baron Rosen ha.
no large private fortune 10 uphold tn
dignity Of the MuscOvite embassy il
Paris. but rumor says his comparative
poverty is not an obstacle.
since the regime OF the very wealth.
Prince Orlof. all the Russian ambassa
Gors on the banks OF the Seine have beel
relatively poor men, What Baron Is
wOlsid wants is an ambassador at Paris
who. without antagonizing the aristoc
racy, will get into touch with the states
men and politicians Of the republic
mingling with them and winning thei
friendship and sympathy for himself an
for his country.
Baron Rosen is q singularly level
headed man and has managed to success
fully repair the mistakes Of his prede
cessor, Count Cassini, who. by the way
am informed. is to be retired from hi
post at Madrid. TO be succeeded by y
Giers, now Russian Ambassador at Brus
sells"
When I showed this dispatch 70 Baro
Rosen at the time It was published.
family smiled and said there was Z
truth IN II, and time has borne out III
truth Of his answer. Time has ais
proved that there was no truth in II
rumored retirement Of Count Cassil
from Madrid. as at last reports be va
stin holding forth at the court Of A
phonso XIII, although deprived OF II
company OF his adopted daughter, II
Countess Margarite Cassini. who is
well remembered here II is not believe
that Baron Rosen viii leave his Anne
icsn post at this time, not at least unit
the japanese question has been dispose