New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-24
NJ. ISWOLKSY MAY Retire
Rumor That Count Benckendorff
Will Succeed Him.
LONDON SOCIAL NOTES
Plans to Greet Mr.. Roosevelt
Shakesreare's Birthday
Nine. Tetrazzini Ill.

IBy Gable 20 The Tribune.I
London, April 23.--The most interest
ing rumor in diplomatic circles relates
TO the probable retirement OF NJ. Iswol
sky from the Russian Foreign Ministry
next month or in June and the appoint
ment Of Count Benckendorff as his sue
cessor. The Russian Ambassador at the
Court of St James's has been the most
influential diplomat in supporting the
entente between Russia. France and
England, and his transfer TO st. Peters
burg. If it be accomplished. will have an
important bearing on the relations of
European powers
The return Of the American Ambassa-
dor from the Riviera is expected next
week Diplomatic business will be
blocked by the absence of Sir Edward
Grey. but the Ambassador and Mrs. Reid
will be fully employed In making ar
rangements for the entertainment Of the
Roosevelts at Dorchester House. The
pressure on the embassy for social en-
gagements with Mr.. Roosevelt In Lon
dor and at country houses has been tire
mendous. Every luncheon and dining
hour has been filed In advance for
London. where his stay will be short.
and II will be most difficult for him 20
reserve the time promised for various
visits In the country.
Lord and Lady Granard will return
from the Continent tomorrow. Mrs.
John Ward is already back from the
Riviera.
Nine TetrazzIni was compelled by
large audience tonight for the opening
of the opera season. Nine. DOnalda took
her place as YiOletta in ''Traviata," and
was warmly received. The financial and
social support of the opera is unusually
good this year. The first cycle Of The
Ring" begins next week, and a series OF
novelties is promised for June and July.
Shakespeare's birthday was celebrated
at StratfOrd with a continuous success
sion OF events for thirteen hours, from
the ringing of the bells Of the parish
church at dawn to the unfurling of fifty
flags Of the empire. the reception Of the
foreign diplomats and distinguished
guests and dramatic performances at
the Memorial Theatre. The streets are
festooned with evergreens. bands are
playing and there are larger throngs Of
visitors than have ever before assembled
in the ancient town Of StratfOrd- The
festival. from a small beginning, has
grown into a national event, with pro-
gramme covering four weeks ana with
$1,000 or 10000 visitors 10 the theatre.
A unique Shakespeare ball. in which
nearly all the characters in the plays
will be represented in costume. has been
arranged in London for the Monday fol-
lowing Ascot week Mrs. George Corn
wallis-W West, Mrs. Alfred LytteltOn. Mrs
Adair and other prominent women are
taking an active interest in this scheme
for raising money for a national memo
rial theatre.
A futile attempt has been made by
Leonard Williams 10 discredit the
Rokeby Venus" as a third rate copy Of
a picture by Titan. which was destroyed
when the palace at Madrid was burned.
Sidney COlvin and other experts easily
succeed in proving that the Titan pict-
ure was unlike the ROkeby Venus"
The best among the new art shows is
the exhibition at the French Gallery.
where nearly seventy works by James
Maris. Anton Mauye and Fantin LatOur
are shown.
Mrs. Asquith has been entertaining
the wives of the new Liberal members
at luncheon in Downing Street. and
the accommodations Of the
famous cid house.
Lady Margery Coke's marriage with
North Dalrymple Hamilton next week
will be brilliant affair, with ten brides
maids and a page and large reception
at Lady DartmOdth's house.
The American novelist Winston
Churchill will sail for America on the
Mauretania next week
George p Brett has started home to-
day after a brief survey Of the literary
market. He asserts that English novels
do not sell as we'll as formerly in Amer
lea and gives his reason for il. Ameri-
cans, he says. want buOyant. cheerful
optimism in fiction. and do not find IT in
English novels.
Edward c.. Kennedy is spending a few
weeks in London and is frequenting the
galleries where etchings and prints can
be seen.