The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-20
Whit VOP|CKA WILL
Do NEXT IS PUZZLE
American Minister to Balkans
SoExtraordinary T hat Inquiry
May Come. e..
Makes Unusual Speeches to
Kings, Causes Royalty lncon-
venience and Spends Time
In Beer Halls.

LONDON. March 10 Information
which has reached London from re-
sponsible sources suggest that the
Washington government might direct
attention to the sayings and doings
of Charles J Nopicka, of Chicago,
the American minister TO the Balkan
States.
The instructions which Secretary Of
State Bryan sent to Mr.. Vopicka to
proceed direct to his post after he
had delivered an ELUSIVE speech at
Prague. Austria, apparently have had
little or no effect for the behavior
of the minister since he has taken
over his post has staggered the dip
lomatists of other nations, who are
constantly wondering what Nopicka
is going TO do next"
Mr.. Vopicka. who owes his APP
pointment to Senator J Ham Lewis,
was a brewer, who was very popular
with the Bohemians of Chicago. He
attended a dinner at Prague. where
he made a speech which showed no
appreciation of his position as min
lister of the American diplomatic serv-
ice. He talked freely and candidly.
and made some criticisms of Emperor
Francis Joseph. of Austria.
Extraordinary Speeches
The speech was such an extraor-
binary one that the American consul
general al Prague sent cabiegra m
to the American state department
calling attention 10 II. and intimating
that it was calculated to offend a
friendly foreign power. The story
goes that Secretary of State Bryan
Immediately wired Mr.. vopicka 70
proceed to his post without further
delay.
At Bucharest, the capital of Ruman!a,
where Mr. Fopicka makes his head
quarters the stories Of his doings are
reported to have reused Queen Eliy-
abeth t"Carmen Sylva'1 to criticism.
At Sofia. the capital of Bulgaria MIR.
Nopicka, drove up to the palace in a
state carriage in all the formaiity
with which the arrival of new min
ister is accompanied. He said to an
American acquaintance, as he got out
Of the carriage pointing to the soft
shirt he wore. THAT shirt cost me 81.
wore 1t when 7 saw Kings Carlos
and Peter. and now am wearing 1t to
see Ferdinand" AIR. Noricka was then
carrying his credentials wrapped up
in small silk American flag. In which
he presented them to King Ferdinand.
Makes Royalty Wait.
The story Of the rest, OF that an
dience is almost Incredible. it being that
Eopicka adopted familiar coniitlen-
tial tone saying in effect to King
Ferdinand;
II have met Kings Carlos and
Peter, and understood that there has
been some difficulty in the Balkan
states. If there is any more trouble
come to me. ! think ] will be able
to arrange matters.
Even less pleasant is the story that
Queen Eleonora, of Bulgaria, who Is
soon to pay q visit to the United
States. having suggested that she
would take Mr.. EopiciSa on visit 10
the hospitals in which she is deeply
interested. sent an cquerry to ask the
american minister to appoint day
on which he would accompany her
Mr., Vopicka replied that he was I'M
able TO name day at the moment
but that he would telephone Queen
Eleonora and let her know.
The proposed visit was naturally
cancelled, as it is not customary for
royalty to await the pleasure of even
diplomatic representatives.,
The admiration of the Bulgarians
for Mr.. Fopicka was not heightened
when they learned that he saw the
new year in prominent beer hall In
Sofia.