The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-09


word, both from an artistic as we'll
as from an Intrinsic point of view.
fully worthy of the recipients. namely.
the future German Emperor and En-
press. and OF the donors. that is to
say. the leading cities Of the king
dom or Prussia ~
Baron Won Rucker- Jcnisch. of whom
| save sketch in these letters q short
time ago. on the occasion OF his pro-
motion to the rank or German ambas-
sador at Rome and whom l described
as a first cousin and former lieuten-
ant of Prince Buelow, has been unable
to assume the duties of his office. ow-
ing to his being stricken with a very
severe illness, which has compelled
him to retire altogether from the dip
lomatic service, and Hans Won Flotow,
the German munster at Brussels, has
been appointed to the embassy at
Rome in his stead.
Hsns Won I'lotow Is also one or the
coniidants and secretaries of Prince
Buelow, and in his appointments as
well as in that OF Baron Won Fucker
Jcnisch. tho desire on the part of the
Kaiser and OF Chancellor Won Beth
mann-IioEweg. to please Prince Buc-
low, who makes his home In the Villa
Malta at Rome. is once moro apparent.
Hans Won Flotow Is the grandson OF
Friedrich Won Flotow, n MccklcnburE
noble, the well known composer OF
MARTHA" and OF other operas. The
newly appointed ambassador, married
about three YEARS ago the widowed
Countess KellSv whose first husband,
General Count Keller, renowned as
Russia's most dashng cavalry gen
eral fell In the battle OF Mukden in
the last war with Japan, struck by no
less than forty bullets. She is by
birth a Princess Schakowska; member.
therefore. of family which Is like
the sovereign house OF Romanon, de-
scended from Ruril. founder OF the
latter.
A very fascinating woman. beauti-
full. IN spite OF the fact that she has a
grownup son by the late general, she
is possessed of a very large fortune
in her own right. and there Is no doubt
that with her as its mistress the
Caffarell! Palace the home OF the Ger
man embassy at Rome Will become
what it has never been since the days
OF Prince Buelow. an important centre
OF the so-called White Society OF tho
Eternal City.
Nine. Won Flotow enjoys an alto
gether unrivalcd position at ST
Petersburg. For the late Count KEEL
ler's sister. Countess Klcinmichcl, is
the recognized leader of the great
world In the Russian capital. and not
TO he on her visiting list means that
one does not form part OF society in
the Cars capital.
Count Keller was greatly liked and
trusted both by the late and by the
present Emperor. Although a thorough
man OF the world. he had no
liberation for those moral shortcom-
ings which society especially at 81.
Petersburg, is disposed too often to re
gard with q lenicnt eye. Thus, while
commanding the regiment of Chevaiicr
Gardes, he was called upon 70 deal
with a scandal connected with some
OF the officers under his orders, and
IN which orc OF the dignitaries OF the
court man bearing name as fam
Gus IN history as in literature, was, 10y
reason OF his power and wealth, the
individual chiefly at fault
General Count Keller was SO indig-
nant that he insisted that n public
example should be mace OF the per-
sonage in question and that he should
not only be dismissed, but likewise
punished Alexander. in spite OF his
rect!tude and horror of everything
that was unprincipled. thought 1t
best 10 hush up the scandal whercupon
keller at once rendered his resigna-
lion. which was accepted, and he was
paced on the retired list
= alexander. instead OF being angry
with keller FOR his uncomproInislng
attitude, seemed TO admire him the
more for It. shortly afterwards he
promoted him to the rank OF major
general on the retired list. and re-
I.atsdiy nominated him az a member
OF tie Imperial commissions. where
his services were recognized by public
acknowledgements OF his sovereign's
thanks. ana by orders ami decorations.
Before Nicholas nad been rery long
on the throne, Keller was restored to
active service as general IN command
OF the Imperial Military Academy at
ST. Petersburg. and year later was
appointed Governor OF Katerinoslaw,
where he remained until the outbreal;
OF the war with Japan. his province
being the only one in European Russia
where there were no peasant disturb
ances. no Nihilist actively, nor revolu-
ti6nary outraees
AS soon as Kuropatliin was appoint
ed 10 supreme command OF the forces
IN the Far East. after the outbreak OF
the war with Japan. ne sent for his
pi' tO.iI! due tnu ltlIOW member OF the
stan OF General Skoboleff. 10 join him
Offering him the command of the cav
airy. which Keller Immediately ac-
ccpted. In the battle IN which he was
A.iIed. his then nineteen year old son
who had accompanied him to the front
WAS wounded dangerously. though not
mortany.
Nine. Won Flo,ow. while still Count
ess Keller. learned to know Queen
Helen OF Italy, who was then being
brought up under the direction of the
widowed Czarina at St. Petersburg. In
fact, the Queen. who was then Prin
cess Helen Of Montenegro. became
| very much attached to Countess Kel-
Ter, and VIII rejoice to have her as
| German ambassadress at Rome rs Nine
! won Flotow
/ The marriage between Won rlotow
and the countess was tn no sense OF
Inc word one Of disparity in point or
years For Won FIotow is about Grtv.
two and his wife just about Inc same
age. lie is tall. good looking in fac,.
excellent tNup nf Tho -