The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-07
Emperor Francis Joseph Bestows
Post of Inspector-General Upon
Heir Apparent.

NAP HaA >iAS'
BN LA MARQUISE DE IrONTENOY.
+ MPEROR FRANCIS JOSEPH, by
way of allaying any dissatisfac-
ton that his nephew and hcir
apparent, Archduke Francis t'erdi-
nand, may havo felt at his virtual ex-
c!usion from any further share in the
direction Of the government, has jus,
bestowed upon him the post OF inspec-
tor-Seneral of all the armed forces OF
Austria Hungary, naval as we'll as
military: post which has been va
cant since the death OF old Archduke
Albert, victor of CustozZa, and uncle
OF the Emperor He has also conferred
upon the archduke's morganatic wife,
the Duchess of IIohenberB. the Grand
Cross OF the order Of Elizabeth which
he founded in 1898, in honor OF the
memory of his murdered consort
The bestowal OF this distinction up
on tho duchess. has served to call at
,ention TO the fact that, although pos
eessed by all the princesses OF the
1eifning house. and by a number OF
women OF the aristocracy. including
Princess Pauline Metternich and Prn-
cess Hcdwig Sapieha. 1t has not hither-
to been granted to the former Coun-
tess Chotek
As inspector general OF the army
and navy. Archduke Francis Ferdinand
becomes the ranking officer or both
forces. and tho alter ego of the SOW
ere!gn as commandments chief
Since last spring the Emperor has
resumed complete control OF the reins
Of government, which he commenced
10 surrender TO his nephew some four
years ago. and. which had been almost
wholly abaDdorcd 10 tho nrchduke
during his, the Emperors illness last
year. Ministers have ceased to report
TO the archduke or 10 consult his
views, and It is to make up for this
that the Emperor has now bestowed
these honors upon his nephew and
upon the lattei"s morganatic wife.
Frances new ambassador to Japan
is Eugene Regnault. formerly minister
plenipotcntiary at TanEier, and who,
since Morocco has become q French
protectorate, has been at the head OF
the civil staff Of General Lyautey, the
resident general of the Moorish En-
p!re The greater part OF his official
career has, however. been spent either
In the consular corps. or as one OF the
secretaries Of tho Minister of Foreign
Affairs in Paris. The main thing. how
ever, is that he is a tactful and agree
able man. which Is more than can be
said for his predecessor. For Augustc
Gerard, who has just been placed on
the retired list. is. though brilliant
and gifted, ono OF the most atrabilious,
irritable. and sour-tcmpcred men that
II IS possible to conceive
Gerard first won his spurs under the
pen name OF Count Vassil." as the
author Of Berlin Society" the most
cruelty true portrayal that has ever
been published Of court life in the
Prussian capital. lie obtained his
knowledge OF Berlin society and OF
the court there. through his position as
French reader TO the late Empress Au-
gUsta. during the period Immediately
following the war Of 1870, just at tho
time when the Germans were In the
first enthusiasm OF their victories over
the French. II Is perfectly natura
that as a Frcnchman his position was
far from comfortable, despite the kind
ness of the old Emperor. But his book
on Berlin society gives expression &c
bitterness against everything in hi.
environment while at the Prussiar
court, which is almost beyond belief.
His writings commended him TO the
notice Of Gambetta, who. together with
Nine. Adam, proprietrcss OF the "Eou.
Vclie Revue" in which his articles or
Berlin hrst appeared. secured for HIN
position In the diplomatic service,
and subsequently rapid promotion. II
every post that he has filled since theI
ho has managed to quarrel with tn.
people about him, and. indeed. his pro
motion TO the rank OF ambassador {,
Japan wac due to the fact that he hat
rendered mis- continued sojourn as en-
voy at Picking impossible.
There Is only one foreign club II
the Chinese capital. which Is compose,
almost exclusively OF the diplomats
corps, with a small Rprinkling OF Eu
ropean and American officials in tn
Chinese service Gerard took ofens
at the absence OF any French name
from some of the committees and will
the object of marking his displensure
acting on the impulse of moment o
irritation. wrote o letter resigning hi
membership.of the club. which was &C
copied.
Contrary. to his anticipation. no step