The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-08

A very interesting character whom
met during the first winter and onen
corversed with was Prince Henkel-
Donnersmarck. Prince Donnersmarck.
who died December, 1915, at the age
of eighty-six years, was the rlchest
male subject in Germany. the richest
subject being Frau Won Krupp- Bohlen.
the heiress OF the krupp cannon foun-
dry. He was the first governor OF
Lorraine during the War OF 1870. ana
he had a finger in all of the politicai
and commercial activities of Germany
for more than bali a century. He told
me, on one occasion, that he had ad-
vocated exacting war indemnity OF
thirty milliards from France after the
War Of 1870. and said that France
could easily pay it--and that a like
sum. or much more. should be exacted
as an indemnity al the conclusion OF
the world war NJ 1914,
The prince said that he had always
advocated a protective tariff for ag-
ricuitural products in Germany. as
well as encouragement OF the German
manufacturing interests: that agricul-
ture was necessary to the country in
order TO provide strong soldiers for
war and manufacturing industries
were needed to provide money to pay
for the army and navy and their
equipment. He made me promise to
take his second son to America in or
der that he might see American life
and the great iron and coal districts
of Pennsylvania.
OF course, most of these converse :
tions took place before the World
war After two years of that war and
as prospects OF paying the expense of
the war from the indemnitles to be
exacted from the enemies of Ger
many gradually melted away. tho
prince quite naturally developed a
great anxiety as to how the expenses
of the war should be paid by Ger
had much to do with his death at tho
end of the year 1918.
CALLING ON THE
AMBASSADORS IN BERLIN.
Custom demanded that I should ask
for an appointment and call on each
of the ambassadors on arrival. 1hc
English ambassador was Sir Edward
Goschen, q man of perhaps weight
years. a widower. He spoke French,
of course. and German. and accom-
panied by his dog was frequent WIS.,
itor at our house. / am very CRATE
full for the help and advice he so gen.
erousiy gave me-doubly valuable as
coming from a man of his fame and
experience.
Jules Cambon was the ambassador
of France. His brother, Paul. Is am
bassador to the Court of st. James
Jules Cambon is well known to Amer
leans, having passed fJs years In this
country. He was AMBASSADOR to Spain
for five years, and at the time of my
arrival had been about TIE same pc
Rod at Berlin. In spite of his long
residence In each of these countries
he spoke only French, but possessed
a really marvellous insight into Sle po-
litical life of each of these nations
Boilati, the Italian, was a great ad-
mirer of Germany; he spoke German
well. and did everything possible to
keep Italy out OF war with her former
allies In the triple alliance.
Spain was represented by Polo de
Barnebe, who now represents the In
terests of the United States in Ger
many as well as those of France Rus
sia, Belgium. Serbia and REmania 1t
is a curious commentary on the alb
surdfty of war that, on leaving Ber-
lin, handed over the interests Of the
United states to this am bassador, who,
as Spanish minister to the United
states. got his passports at the out
break of the Spanish-American war!
| am sure that not only he but all his
EN- nassy will dovotedly represent our
interests in Germany. Sverbeew rep
resented the interests OF Russia, Sou
ghimoura. of Japan, and Mouktar
Pascha, of Turkey. The wife of the
latter was a daughter of the khedive
| OF Egypt and Monktar Pascha him
self general of distinction In the
| Turkish army.
An ambassador must keep on ind.
mate terms with his colleagues IL Is
often through them that he learns OF
important matters affecting his owc
country or others. All of these arr,
oassadors and most of the minist ar,
occupied handsome houses furnished
( by their governments. They have
large salaries and a fund for enter.
! tanning