The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-06
ny JOHN ELFnETn. WATKINS.

Washington. D. c.
Very shortly you Will be reading OF
the investiture OF Baron Hengemuler
Won Hengervnr. privy councillor and
ambassador OF the Emperor Francis
Joseph. with the exalted rank of dean
of the diplomatic corps resident In the
United States.
Unless you have devoted some study
TO diplomatic usages you probably
have but a vague understanding of
the significance of this title or OF the
prerogatives which adhere to 1t.
Every nation sends to each of Its sis-
ter nations diplomatic representa-
tive, who may be a minister. with ac-
cess to the state Department or an
ambassador, privileged to transact
business directly with the Chief Elk
ecutfve or sovereign of the state to
which he IS accredited. These foreign
representatives resident at each capital
constitute the diplomatic corps. form
part of the court near which they re-
side and are technically members of
the rulers household. when ques-
tions arise as to where and when
the corps Is TO appear as 20 the order
of precedence OF it's members. as 10
whether they arc to wear full court
dress and az TO all such matters, OFF,
cIal. social and ceremonial, there must
be some medium through which Off
cial communications may be addressed
TO II as body.
This medium Is the ambassador who
has resided longest at the capital con-
cerned. and he is called the dean of
the diplomatic corps. In foreign CAPT.
tails. where French is the court Ian
.uagc. he Is known as tho "doyen."
II To uf
and next after the heir to the throne
at monarchial courts. while In Wash
,ngton he ranks next, after the Vice
President, who, by virtue of ruling
of President Cleveland, acceded to by
the British foreig Office, Is tho heir
apparent of the United States.
First With Lifelong Training.
Since ambassadors were first ac-
credited to our capital Baron Hengel-
muller will be the hrst dean who has
devoted his lifetime to diplomacy.
Baron Mayor, whom he succeeds. was
distinguished more as q statesman
than a dipiomatist before being sent
here. while the deans previous to him
had not had diplomatic service of con-
sequence previous to their appoint
ment. Thus Count Cassini had been a
Russian consular official ano Nj. Cam
bon q French colonial official. while
Lord Pauncefote saw his first foreign
diplomatic duty in Washington.
Baron Hengelmuller. on the other
hand, began an apprenticeship in d.
plomacy when a youth, and has per-
sisted at his trade throughout the four
decades that have since changed the
history of the world. And that his
services at the various capitals of the
world have impressed his sovereign to
the extent of elevating him to the
privy council of the empire means
much, for Francis Joseph, Emperor OF
Austria and King of Hungary, IS
famed as the most e1acting of reign
ing monarchs.
An Interesting Career.
Ladislaus Hengelmuller Won Hem
gervar was born in Budapest Hungary,
about sixty years ago After having
been educated at Vienna especially for
the diplomatic service he climbed to |,
his present grade through service in
Berlin, Paris, Dresden, London. Bel
grade and Rio. His first great oppor-
tunity to show his genius for diplomacy
was at the court of ST. James. where !
lie began as counselor. but soon rose
10 first secretary. This assignment, of
course, meant that he was possessed !,
of great social tact Fortunately for |
him circumstances necessltated the
absence of his ambassador, and left
him for months at time with the |
rank OF charge d'affaires, as an UNDER
diplomat is called when he acts for |
his superior During these periods Of |!
responsibility the young baron dis I
played O wisdom and cleverness which |
made him popular among older men,