New-York tribune., 1922-07-09
Shabby House
Marks Passing
OF Regal Russia
Once Brilliant Home of the
Czar's Ambassador in Lon
don Becomes Cheap Show
Place to Aid Relief Funds
One Master Now a Clerk
Palatial Offices Of Soviet
Republic Become Center
of Diplomatic Interest


back OF the residence Of the American
Ambassador in Chesham Place. Bel
Rravia, stands q rather dilapidated
four-storied mansion whose doors once
opened only to royalty, the topmost
strata Of English aristoreracy and the
elec4 OF court and diplomatic circles.
IL was then the abode OF the Imperial
Russian Ambassador.
To-day, according 10 n footnote on
Foreign ofice diplomatic lists, 1t Is
merely "Chesham House" and desig-
mated as the address Of Monsieur T..
Sabine, Charged with the liquidation
Of matters connected with the late
Russian government" The brilliant
companies It knew in former days have
given place 70 gatherings OF miseel-
isneous folk who spend an occasional
evening there dancing and paying ad-
mission fees which 90 to Russian
refugee funds.
In Bond Street, London's famous
shopping center, and in Moorgate
Street. within a stones throw Of the
Bank Of England, are located the
palatial Offices Of the consular and
trade delegations Of the Russian So
cialist Federal Soviet Republic. In
Park Lane is the magnificent residence
of Leonid Krassin who, as the repre-
sentative Of the Lenine-rrotzky gov
ernment, negotiated the Anglo-Russian
trade agreement which presaged the
establishment Of these Soviet agencies
in London.
Nabokoif Lives in Obseurity
In an obscure corner Of London may
he found the modest, even humble,
dwelling OF Constantin Nabokof, the
hst representative in London Of Car
Nicholas II. Nabokof was counselor
OF the embassy when his chief, Count
Benckendorff, the Russian Ambassador
died in January, 1917. Nabokof there
upon became charge d'sfaires, ana IN
that exalted position was the master
Of Chesham House until September u
1919, when he yielded TO Z. Saoilne'
appointed by Sazonof, Foreign Minis
ter Of the Kolchak government.
Nabokof was a member OF the Rus
sian delegation that concluded tne
Treaty OF Portsmouth at the close OF
the Russo-Japanese War. To-Day Ma
bokoff, once the dispenser OF an auto
cratic monarch's hospitality, slaves
away at a desk in Fleet street prepar-
ing pamphlets designed TO keep awe
the anti-Bolshevik cause. With rea1y
smile and cheerful optimism he taihs
confidently Of the day, mot far IN tne
<nt,rs . when. he declares, Russia $
Rolsbevik rulers will be dethroned' ana
successors, "chosen by the people
will bring his land once more WITHIN
,hs snhere Of international affairs.
After the collapse Of the kerensky
nrovisional government and the aeceSs,,
sion of the Lenine-Trotzky regime all
Russian government funds deposited
In Iondon banks were coniiscated py
ths british government, but the en-
hassv itself was technically private
nroncrtv and could not be seized: Inc
Rritish Foreign Office notified Petro-
crad authorities that the appointment
- a new Russian Ambassador to Lon
A. was expected. Sazonof, formerly
srbordinate of Count BenckendorH'
-vss annointed. His designation was
yveicomed by the British, but Sazonori
Aid mot appear. Baron Meyendorn W was
the second appointee for the post ,o,1 ms
choice was made early in June 1911
put he did not come 10 London.
The third ambassador-desi signate,
prince Gregoire Troubetzkoi. declared
80 ,be eleventh hour that he would pre-
e. 20 GO 10 Rome. Nabokof sought
.hs anproval Of the British officials
that de Giers, then Russian Ambassa-
dor AZ Rome. should come TO LONDON
instead. Lord Hardinge, Under Secre-
tnrv. exploded: "Three times has the
consent Of his majesty been given 70
the appointment Of an ambassador,
None of these gentlemen ever appeared
IN London, and the provisional govern
noer. never took the trouble 70 eX-
nlair the reason Of this extraordinary
nrooedure. much less TO apologize foI
/, This cannot continue indefinitely.
Fxnlanation of Prince Troubetzkois
failure TO arrive was demanded. TX
planation was deferred pending the ar
rival in London Of Tereschenko, at
that time Russias Foreign Minister.
Ttreschenko did not come to London,
and a fortnight later the provisional
government was overthrow by the
Bolsheviki.
Bolshevik Envoy Named
Litvinof's appointment as Bolshevik
Ambassador" soon followed. All Rus
sian government funds. including those
at the disposition Of Nabokoff for en-
bassy expenses, were seized by the
British government. An official in
timation was given Nabokoff, however,
that Britain would grant assistance,
!. and heneeforth embassy expenses were
II defrayed from grants by the British
u HExchequer, totaling about $4,000, un-
Ft!l March !, 1919, when credits were
opened by the Kolchsk government at
0nsk.
Nabokof, occupant of an embassy
that bore the name Of a non-existent
government, subjected TO many limita-
tions, denied the privilege OF cipher
communication and no longer accorded
the diplomatic entree. continued "a
communicate by letters marked
private" with the British Foreign or
fee.
Litvinoif, the Bolshevik envoy, wa,
never officially recognized, but was in
constant intercourse with the British
government and enjoyed certain privi-
ieges, such as a cipher and diplomatic
courier service, which were refused
Nabokof.
Then Kameneff, appointed BolsheviE
Ambassador to Paris, arrived in Lon
don. Premier Clemenceau refused him
admission TO France. He was repa.ri.
ated.
In August, 1919. Arthur Bslfour
British representative at the peace con.
ference, and Sazonof, who had become
Foreion Minister Of the Omsk govern