The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-06
BARON SCHON RISES
THROUGH OWN MERITS
ia MARQuIsE DE FONTENOY.

BY LA aIARaUIsE DE FoNTENOY.
n ARON Won SCHON. who has Just
* been transferred from the onice
D of Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs at Berlin to the post of
German ambassador to France, owes
his elevation to the nobility to his
own merits, for his father. from whom
he inherited very large fortune. was
a great manufacturer of woolens al
Worms, while his mother was one of
the heiresses of the Hessian house of
Heyl Won Herrnshofen, which may be
said to possess the monopoly of the
patent leather trade of Europe. He
received his barony for his services as
and, thanks TO his great wealth. vii.
be able to maintain the German en-
bassy In Paris with unprecedented
splendor.
Baron schon possesses in very
marked degree the good Will and
friendship of the Empress and of her
sons. He made their acquaintance at
Berehtesgaden. where he owns villa
time with her children few years ago
while recovering from an illness. He
became, at their request. their con-
slant escort in their daily walks. and
being man of most agreeable man
ners and appearance, with plenty of
amusing and entertaining CONVERSE
ton. he soon became great fayorite.
and in this manner was brought more
especially under the eye of Emperor
William. who also developed much
liking for him. and frequently invited
him to accompany him on his summer
holiday cruises on board the Hohen-
zollern along the coast of Norway.
With all that Baron Schon has some
very decided opinions of his own. and
the German embassy in Paris insisted
upon resigning rather than Identify
himself with the policy of his chief.
the late Prince Munster. The prince.
number OF mistakes, notably In con-
nection with the Dreyfus affair. and
/ being very obstinate and reluctant TO
| admit that age had dimmed his facul-
keep abreast of the situation. con-
istantly differed with his first secretary
until the position became intolerable.
/ 1t was while at Paris as secretary
show. his mettle as a man of presence
of mind and pluck. 1t may be remem-
bered that the state funeral OF old
Marshal MacMahon was followed by
getting out of hand and defying the
! police. Many of those who had taken
part in the ceremony were unable al
/ its close to find their carriages, and
on foot Among them was Baron yor
(, Schon. in the striking uniform of ar
officer of German dragons. Making
his way on foot across the Place dies
InYalides he was soon surrounded b,
la hostile crowd of hoodlums yelling
Down with the Prussian. Death t.
the Prussian!' at the same time boot.
ing and Kissing him. Won schon wa:
quite alone, having become separatet
from his friends. He never turned {
hair. sauntered along without hasten.
4 ing his step in the slightest degree
! but carried himself in manner tina
! prevented any one from actually lost
4 ling him. In fact. 1t was his cool anc
courageous bearing that saved hin
ed the portals of the German embassy
polee we're aaaembied tim must 0 be
membered that Just then the Dreyfu
the masses of Paris against everythin'
German to the utmost, and that. re
CARELESS Of the consequences Of thei
behavior they might easily have pre-
with Germany by subiecting Won Schol
to bodily harm had they not been de
tered by his cool Indifference to dan
!, ger.
and possesses, in spite of his bourgeoi
origin. a very extensive knowledge o
!, court life acquired as grand master
he s to bu Rg E Esd o I E
/ burgh. when sovereign of the Germa
Duchies Of saxe-Coburg and Gothic
1t was post recurring the exercis
OF the utmost tact. owing to the preju
8 account Of his English birth and edu
: cation, and likewise. by reason Of tn
difficulty of reconciling the pro Eng
rllish views Of the duke, whom III
health had rendered very irritable !
his closing years, with the Germa
/: ideas of his nephew. the Kaiser. at Der
! lin.
: It was through the Empress that vo
Schon was restored to diplomacy a
d German envoy at Copenhagen. wher
II he contributed In no small measure
: bring about a much friendlter feelin
between the courts OF Emperor Villa