The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-09

CnleI factors IN bringing ABOUT the uiiucI-
standing between England and Russia
which dates from the meeting between
the Car and King Edward at Reyai n
ls0S.
But the death of NJ. Neiidon the other
day rendered II necessary to Ill without
delay his place as ambassador on the
banks OF the Seine, and IL was considered
preferable not to remove Count Benck-
endorff from London, where he has
charge not only of number OF diplomatic
negotiations. but also the settlement OF
some rather delicate family matters.
Izwolski has been appointed TO the va
cant embassy in Paris. where his wife
a charming woman. is certain of a most
cordial welcome on the part OF all that
Is best In French society. as the daugh-
ter OF that wonderful old Baroness Tell
Izwolski himself viii also be persona
grata in Paris. for he is an ardent cham
pion or the Franco-Russian alliance. and
as such has naturally been regarded with
much disfavor by the Kaiser
PIeRseE Berlin.
Izwolskfs removal from the post OF
| burg, and the appointment OF Sergius
Sassonon In hts place, cannot fan. in
deed. TO give satisfaction at Berlin and
at Vienna, and 10 improve the relations
OF Russia with Austria and with Ger
many.
These were strained almost TO the
breaking point at the time OF the incor-
poration OF Herzegovina and of Bosnia
in the dual empire two years ago. In the
first place, a question OF yeraeity arose
between the Austrian foreign minister.
Count d'Aehrenthal, and Izwolski about
the matter. the count insisting that he
had warned his Russian colleague OF
what was about 10 take place, and had
received his approval
Izwolski did not deny this until forced
10 do so by the storm Of popular indigna-
al the notion OF his having had previous
knowledge OF the annexation and failing
10 DO anything to arrest It,
Then he went TO the other extreme, in
sisted that d'Aehrenthal had lied, treated
the Austrian ambassador at ST. Peters
burg with such great discourtesy as 10
almost bring about a suspension Of all
diploH attic relations. and encouraged Ser
via 10 arm against Austria, TO prevent
the latter's peaceful absorption OF the
two former Ottoman provinces.
MisIed servians.
He even went so far as 70 allow the
Seryians 10 believe that Russia would
int Ear,
from annlh!lation II they attacked Aus
tTia, whereupon the Berlin government
addressed something very much akin to
an ultimatum at 81 Petersburg. init
mating that If Russia gave any support
10 Servia IN attacking Austria, and unless
she induced King Peter 10 demobilize mis-
army and restore II 10 a peace footing,
the German army would cross the Mus
covite frontier without delay.
AS the military authorities at st. Peters
burg were united IN declaring 10 the
Gar that his army just then in the
process Of reorganization and rearmament
after the disastrous war with Japan. was
in no condition at the time TO encounter
the united forces Of Germany and Aus
tria, Russia was compelled to yield 10 the
Kaiser's demands.
IzwoLSkI Blamed.
OF course Izwolsh was rendered re-
sponsible by his eountrymen for the
humiliation which his policy had placed
upon Russia. and he would undoubtedly
have been dismissed had it not been for
two things-one or them, that his dis
or~aoa mould have vear-a3 % cop.v-f-,..s
another moTufying concession TO Berlin
and 70 Vienna, while the other was the
existence Of a letter. OF which few peo-
pie are even 10 this day aware. in which
Emperor Alexander III, not long after his
accession 10 the throne. intimated TO En-
perOr Francis Joseph that he would raise
no objection when the moment came for
the incorporation OF Bosnia and Herzego-
VIVA into the dual empire.
This letter was written at Skierniewize.
where the three emperOrs met in 1854:
when the so-called three emperors' alN-
ance between Russia. Austria. and Ger
AMY was still in existence, and before
Alexander III had broken loose there
from to enter into an alliance with
France.
Insult 10 Austria
Izwolski a year later was led by his
rancOT against Austria to induce the Car
TO place a waolly gratuitous afTront upon
the venerable Francis Joseph. in. adopt
ing the most extraordinarily circuitous
route through Germany and France when
travelling between the Crimea and North
ern Italy 10 visit King Victor Emmanuel
and Queen Helene at their castle of
Racconigi.
The most direct route lay, Of course,
through Austro- Hungarian territory
But, rather than touch there or receive
the slightest courtesy from any Of Fran
els Joseph's representatives. the Car
went a roundabout way, which prolonged
his journey forty-eight hours each way.
Izwolsh was on that occasion in at
tendance on his sovereign. and IL is not
astonishing under the circumstances that
he should have been regarded at Berlin.
and especially at Vienna. as so bitter an
enemy Of the two countries as to render
any friendly understanding between them
and Russia impossible. as long as he
remained minister of foreign affairs at