The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-25
of Delcasse to St.
Petersburg by France
Creates Sensation.


\ 70 diplomatic appointment in re-
nj cent years has created n greater
Y sensation than the nomination
of T'heophile Delcassc to the
post of ambassador of France at ST.
Petersburg. Joint author with Ed
ward VII. of the Anglo French entente,
there is no. one active In the public
life OF France who is more diminutive in
stature or greater in fame and in i'm
portance. No French statesman is
more respected abroad, and perhaps
the most remarkable tribute to his
strength was that in March, 1911,
President Fallieres did not dare to
intrust him with the premiership of
the administration then formed, nor
ala the Prime Minister venture to
oifer him the portfolio or Foreign
.anai:s FOR Gear OF their action being
construed abroad as throwing down
OF the gauntlet to Germany. So they
appointed him Minister of Marine, AN
office which he continued to hold until
Just before the recent presidential
election. From 1898 to 1896 he was
Minister of the Colonies. and for the
eight years Intervening between the
beginning OF 1898 and 1906 he was the
Affairs that has ever held office in the
Palace of the Quai d'Orsay, since the
DAYS Of Gambetta
Delcassc is SO very small that he
.
may be alphabetically translated as
Ihe Flea and the French comic
papars have always delighted in carl
household insect. Nor is sh his lack at 'n of
inches In any way redeemed by his good
looks, In fact. with his walrus-likc
mustache, his low forehead, his fiat,
upturned nose and mis- extremely large
ears. he is about the homeliest states
man that has ever held Cabinet office
III France since the days of the great
Iaileyrand In some respects he re-
OF so many diverse regimes and gov
ernments on the banks Of the Seine.
For when in control of the foreign
affairs OF France, he did more TO In
crease the influence and the prestige
OIL MS country abroad than any one
else since the days of the ex-Bishop of
Autun.
He. was in the recent presidential
election perhaps the most serious and
dangerous OF all the rivals OF Poin.
care. The chief reason. indeed. that
he was not elected was because it was
feared that his presence at the Elysee
might precipitate war with Germany,
since the Kaiser created Count Buc-
low prince seven years ago as
token of his satisfaction over the re-
sTemfnt of Reieasse from the post of
nent to which German agencies no
toriously contributed. When Poin-
care recently resigned tho premiership
become his successor; and when Del
case refused. BRAND, who was there
upon appointed Prime Minister, urged
Upon him the Office Of Minister OF
Delcasse very rightly believes that
he can do far greater service to his
country; and incidentally promote his
| own political interests much more eff
hcaciously as French ambassador at
ST. Petersburg than as Minister OF
Foreign Affairs in Paris. For MANY
| years past Franco has suffered
through, Inadequate representation on
| tho banks of the Neva. For one rca-
! son or. another. all her ambassadors
there have been lamentable failures.
| sense, and the Francs Russian alli-
| ance has been much damaged thereby
Two ambassadors have been recalled
at the instance of the court OF ST
Petersburg. while third, after having
been accepted by the Russian govern
mcnt and yaZetted in Paris, was re-
1ected by the late Emperor Alexander
| III. as persona non grata The rctir-
| ing French ambassador NJ Louis has
heen also very unfortunate and sub
tected to something very much akin
great world at ST. Petersburg. largely
| because OF his lack OF social prestige
and the knowledge that he had no
very powerful official. political or So
cal backing at home.
.Delcasse is an entirely different type
Of man. He has the power and pres
! tise as ambassador to force his views
| upon the government in Paris. and at
| the same time to impress them upon
| fhc government at st. Petersburg
| His presence for so many years at the
| head of the French Department ot
Foreign Affairs has endowed him with
knowledge of etiaucttc rare among
his predecessors at the French embassy
at ST. Petersburg. He possesses an
assurance of manner of which few OF
them have been able to boast. and
moreover, has been decorated with the
Grand Cross of all OF tho great Rus
| sian orders of knighthood, save the
81. Andrew. which Is to a great OK
| tent restricted to rcigninG sovcrcigns
and princes Of the blood and which
is seldom accorded to any one OF lesser
| rank
Finally, Dclcassc has. through his