Sequel to a snub

November 12, 1897

Nicholas II has issued an imperial ukase announcing the appointment of a permanent charge d'affairs in Karlsruhe, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Baden. Prince Cantacuzene, who has represented Russia at Stuttgart, the capital of the Kingdom of Württemberg, and at Karlsruhe, "has been relieved of his post at the court of Baden," reports the Chicago Daily Tribune.

The changes are connected with the "slight put upon the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden" when the Russian emperor and empress recently visited Darmstadt, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Hesse.

The "affair soon created so much stir" that the German government "on the day the facts were published issued orders forbidding the telegraphing of any comments on the subjects," although many German newspapers "having already expressed strong resentment."

On October 26 a semi-official statement was issued in Darmstadt, "denying that there was any political significance to the Czar's reply to the intimation conveyed to him by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden."

It appears that Nicholas' response was "bungled through the maladroitness of the of the officials concerned."

It is more like that the response was sent through Prince Cantacuzene, and this "maladroitness" has caused him to be relieved of his post in Baden.

Nicholas II and the Baden Grand Ducal couple have since "exchanged letters of explanation," and the Czar has offered "an apology for the curt brevity of his telegram explaining his inability to receive the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden."

The new Russian minister to Baden has not yet been named.