The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-17
Minister of Foreign Affairs Saz-
onoff Quits Russian
Cabinet.
ny IA MAnnIIsE DE EoNrENOY.


DREMIER KOKOvTzOFF-S retire
ment from office 1T ST Peters
burg is being followed by that
OF Minister OF Foreign Affairs Saxon
off. OF all the Russian statesmen who
have ever been in charge or the foreign
relations of Russia, there has been
none who had so many American
friends as SazonoG, or who entertained
stronger sympathics with the United
states. Under the circumstances. il il
remarkable that 1t WAS JUST during his
term of office that the traditional
. friendship between Russia and tho
United states should have been clouded
by the breaking or OF treaty relations
between the TWO countries
Although Sazonom has never crossed
the Atlantic, yet he showed IL marked
preference for American society in
London. during the twelve Years that
he spent on the banks of the Thames
as first secretary OF the Russian EN-
bassy and as charge d'anaircs there
during the frequent absences of his
chief, the late baron Staal. Al ROME,
TOO. whore he represented his govern
ncnt, first az secretary and then as en-
Voy at tho Vatican, he saw much of the
American colony, the fact OF Ills being
able TO speak English so we'll, con
| triputinG in no small degree to his
popularity.
of the untitled aristocracy, and mar
ried to very charming woman. Mile.
Won Neidhardt, sister OF the widow Of
! the murdered Premier Stolypin. Saxon
off IL retiring wholly from public life,
! in order 10 devote himself to his fam
! lily, and TO tho management of his
estates. His health has never been
! GOOD since the assassination before his
I very EYES OF his brothcr-in law Pro-
n!cr Stolypin. TO whom he was greatly
attached. and moreover. for some time
| past he has been out OF touch with
most Of the other members OF the Cah!-
net, who took the ground that he was
too conciliatory and yielding. too uuNi-
| Gus 10 avoid trouble IN his manage
: mcnt OF foreign relations, and no; suf-
| iiciently aggressive
In England ii. Is held in particularly
high esteem, owing TO the tact ana
| diplomacy which he displayed as
charge d'affaires in London. in avert
ing war between Russia and ENGLAND
/ whcu Admiral Noztcstvcnskys armada
| iircd In 1901 with fatal results on Eng
lish fishing smacks OF the Doggcr
! Bank in tho North Sea, under the i'm
preston that they We're Japanese tor
pedo boats.
! Emperor Nicholas is credited. both
at ST. Petersburg and in the principal
capitals of Europe. with the intention
OF appointing either NJ. Won Ilartwig
or y. Shcbcko as Minister of Foreign
/ Affairs. Both OF these men have for
some time past been regarded as the
stormy petrcls Of Russian diplomacy.
Thus. Won llartwig was for long
time chief Of the first section OF the
! Ministry of Foreign Affairs ut II.
Petersburg. under Count I.amsdorfl,
ana used To be described in those days
as the brain OF tho department., and as
the power behind the throne. After
representing the car with much SIavo-
ph!Ic energy at Cettinje. he became en-
/ voy at Tehcran in 1906. and was from
thenceforth the soul Of that forward
| policy which brought about the Rus
sion occupation Of Tabriz and Of kas-
Yin, the ruin Of the then shah. and
the v!rtua! division OF Persia between
Russia and England. Since 1903 he has
been the MuscoVite plcnipOtcntiary at
I belgrade. and is stated TO have played
n very influential role in the orgauiza-
ton Of the Balkan coalition against
Turkey, and in the bringing about Of
the recent war in the Southeast OF
Europe
Though Identified with an aggressive.
policy, there is nothing aggressive
In Won lIartwig's appearance or de-
meanor. His manner is characterized
by rerosc. he is a most patient and
courteous listener, Z thoughtfui talkcr,
and distinct; nnc-looking man,
whom one cannot meet without being
much Impressed by Him
AS Tor Nicholas Shcbcku he has been
since last year ambassador at Vienna.
where he is so little OF y persona Grata
that under any circumstances his
transfer 10 some other post would have