Revival: Forty Years of Diplomacy (1922) Volume I

1: The choice of a profession—Asiatic Department—A treaty with Japan—Appointed Vice-Consul at Yokohama.; 2: A visit to the United States—A Russian squadron at New York—The “German fleet”—Impressions of America—Old times in California—A determined suicide.; 3: First impressions of Japan—Attitude of foreign diplomats—Sir Harry Parkes—Judge Bingham—Mr. Ito—The Great Revolution of 1868—Rebellion of Satsuma—Japanese policy.; 4: Outbreak of Russo-Turkish War—Its effect on the situation in Japan—Presence in Japanese waters of Russian and British squadrons—Threatened rupture between Great Britain and Russia—The Berlin Congress—The Japanese Navy—Return to Russia on leave of absence; 5: Situation in Russia—An explosion at the Palace—Count Loris-Melikoff—Alexander II and reform—Conflict with China and threatened rupture—Preparations for war—Despatch of a squadron to Far Eastern waters—Temporary mission to San Francisco as a possible basis of supply for the fleet—Newport—A “big bonanza.”; 6: Return to Japan—Assassination of the Emperor Alexander II—The last act of his reign—Emperor Alexander III—His hesitation at first—Definite choice of a policy—Negotiations at Tokio on the revision of existing treaties—Sir Harry Parkes.; 7: A visit to Washington—Return to Russia—Interior political situation—Effect of the Emperor’s firm policy, both domestic and foreign—Sergius Witte—De Giers—Ferdinand of Bulgaria—Causes of failure to be appointed Diplomatic Agent to Bulgaria—Appointment as Consul-General in New York.; 8: Return to America—Consulate-General in New York—Election of President Cleveland—Anglo-Russian relations—In charge of the Russian Legation in Washington—Relations with the President and members of his Administration—Conclusion of an extradition treaty.; 9: Election of President Harrison—Sir Lionel Sackville West—Mr. Blaine, Secretary of State—Negotiations regarding the fur seal industry—Special mission to Mexico—President Diaz—The Hawaian Islands—Return to Russia and appointment as Minister to Mexico.; 10: Arrival in Mexico—An accident—Official reception by President Diaz—Visits to Switzerland—Final departure.; 11: Departure for Europe—Under Pagenstecher at Wiesbaden—Death of Alexander III—Its impression in Russia and abroad—Accession of Nicholas II—His marriage—An unfortunate speech—I am presented to the Emperor—The Empress.; 12: Death of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. de Giers—Question of his successor—Mr. de Staal—Prince Lobanoff-Rostovsky appointed—His character—Interview with him and subsequent appointment as Minister to Serbia.; 13: Political “Parties” in Serbia—Arrival at Belgrade—King Alexander—His appearance and character—Fatherly advice—Secret treaty with Austria—Queen Nathalie—Political conditions in Serbia—Pan-Slavists—Macedonia.; 14: Nicholas of Montenegro—Ferdinand of Bulgaria—Offer of the post of Minister to Japan—An unexpected delay—“That confounded Korean business”—Death of Prince Lobanoff—Dr. E. J. Dillon on “The Tsar’s Plot”—Mr. Nelidoff—Temporary return to Belgrade—Secret orders—Count Mouravieff—My appointment to Japan ratified.; 15: Departure from Belgrade—A farewell message—Count Mouravieff—A dangerous plan—Development of Far Eastern affairs during Prince Lobanoff’s term of office.; 16: Preparation of a secret memorandum on the subject of our Far Eastern policy in connection with the state of our relations with Japan—Baron Motono—Audience with the Emperor—Departure for Japan via New York and Canada—Sir William Van Horne.; 17: Arrival in Japan—Resignation of Count Okuma—Baron Nissi appointed to succeed him—Resignation of the Matsukata Cabinet—Marquis Ito, Prime Minister—Military mission to Korea—A young Prince—Occupation of Port Arthur—A Japanese offer—The Rosen-Nissi Convention—Visit of Grand Duke Cyril.; 18: Fusan incident—Sudden appointment as Minister to Bavaria—Anglo-Japanese Alliance—The rise of Japan—The Shoguns—Departure for Russia via Canada and the United States.; 19: Mr. Iswolsky—The Daily Mail and the Peking Legations—Arrive at St. Petersburg—The new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Lamsdorff—His character—Count Witte—Departure for Munich—The Prince Regent—King Ludwig II—The “Octoberfest”—Marriage of the Count of Flanders, present King of the Belgians, to Duchess Elizabeth of Bavaria—Unpopularity of Kaiser William—His tactlessness—Appointed Minister to Greece.; 20: Departure for Athens—An extraordinary revolution—Queen Olga—King George—Venice.; 21: The Anglo-Japanese Alliance—Failure of Russian policy—Public opinion in Russia—Russia and Manchuria—Prologue to the crisis in the relations between Russia and Japan.; 22: Reappointment as Minister to Japan—A new comet—The Yalou concession—Arrival at Tokio—Visit to Japan of General Kuropatkin—Fall of Witte—Nikko—Final negotiations—Declaration of war.; 23: Departure from Japan—Anti-Russian feeling—Japanese attack on our fleet—Interview with the Emperor—Causes of the war—The Dogger Bank episode—Political situation in Russia.; 24: Grave symptoms of revolutionary unrest—“Bloody Sunday”—Appointment as Ambassador to the U.S.A.—Intervention of Roosevelt—Peace negotiations at Portsmouth—Conclusion of peace with Japan.; 25: Colonel Harvey—Count Witte—The rights of Sovereigns—Mr. Meyer—Russian characteristics—The agrarian question—Military service.; 26: Count Witte appointed Prime Minister—Manifesto of October 1905—Constitutional reform—Resignation of Witte—Treaty of Bjorkoe—Stolypin.

Biography

Baron Rosen