The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-21
REIGN is NOTABLE IN
RU SSIAN HISTORY

master OF the German language:
while neither Lars Andersen. nor yet
his predecessor. Charles Page Bryan.
anything of Japanese. and none OF the
american cnvoys ut St Petersburg,
with tho exception OF William w.
Rockhill, have ever seen 1T to follow
tho example of Prince Bismarck, when
nc was accredited to the court OF the
Car. In learning Russian. Indeed, all
Bismarck's success as Prussian envoy
In Russia. was duo to the fact that he
spoke the language. OF course, most
people In society in the Cars capital
are as fluent In French as In their own
language. But this does not prevent
them from speaking Russian among
themselves. especially when foreign
ers are present. and they do not wish
TO be understood.
England has for several decades
made point OF giving special allow
ances to those OF her diplomats who
nave mastered the language Of the
country In which they were stationed,
mat Is to say, II the language was
other than French or German IT
would be we'll II some similar method
were adopted by the State Department
at washington. and IL the President In
selecting his nominees for diplomatic
posts, were to take into consideration
their knowledge or their readiness to
acquire knowledge, of the language of
the country to which he assigns them.
so that they may not be wholly de-
pendent upon others for information
as to tho character Of popular senti-
ment, and OF what is going on around
them.
General Won Aufrenberg, whose sud
den removal from his post as Austro-
hungarian Minister of War last winter
created so great a sensation. coming, as
1t did. at time when the relations
between Austrin on the one hand, and
Russia and Servia on the other. were
me most acute, has been entirely
cleared of any reflection on his honor
There wero not only imputations-
since proved to be wholly without
foundation-to tho effect that ho had
derived pecuniary benefit from the sale
| or rifles rendered obsolete by the new
weapons with which the imperial army
is now equipped. but there were also
floating about promissory notes In
dorsed with his name. In this con-
nectlon. the name of very fascinating
widow of an officer was freely mem
toned by gossip. and 1t was limited
that she possessed undue influence over
the general
The general did not hesitate to de-
nounce the Endorsement of tho notes
In question with his name as bare
faced forgeries, and Mt once placed the
matter in tho hands of the criminal
authorities. But before any action
could be taken the notes were with
drawn. and after due consideration the
AFFAIR was dropped by the authorities
on the ground that in view OF the re-
demption of the notes, it would be
difficult to obtain conviction.
The whole matter was brought I'm
recently in the imperial legislature al
Vienna. where full tribute was ron
dered by the government to the free
dom of the former Minister of War
from any reflection on his honor. AT
the most he seems to have been some
what indiscreet in his friendships But
then. Mars. especially when gray
haired, has always been susceptible to
the destinations of Venus; and that his
possible ffailties in this respect are
regarded with Indulgence in high quar-
ters Is sufficiently shown by the fac,
| that he is to-day one of the inspector.
| generals of the army.
! Copyright, 1913, by the Brentwood
Company