Important German Ministerial changes were announced in Wednesday's papers. The
Imperial Foreign Secretary, Baron von Schoen, succeeds Prince Radolin as Ambassador in Paris, and is himself succeeded by Herr von Kiderlen-Wiiehter, the German Minister at Bucharest. The Prussian Minister of Finance, Baron von Rheinbaben, has resigned office, his successor being Dr. Lentze, Chief Burgomaster of Magde- burg. Though Baron von Schoen can hardly claim the social prestige enjoyed by Prince Radolin, he is credited with enter- taining most conciliatory views towards France, and his undoubted efforts to promote friendly relations with England will not render him less acceptable in Paris, where he formerly served as Councillor under Prince Minster. Herr von Kiderlen-Wichter is a man of considerable diplomatic experience. He has "acted" both for Baron von Marschall at Constantinople and for Baron von Schoen at Berlin. His reputation for brusqueness and energy, and his association with the late Herr von Holstein, lend weight to the view that his appointment indicates a stiffening in the conduct of German foreign policy ; but as the Times corre- spondent in Berlin reminds us, it is easy to exaggerate the influence of a Foreign Secretary who is not responsible and has only to give effect to the policy of the Imperial Chancellor. The motive of Baron von Rheinbaben's resignation remains obscure, and is connected by some with Herr von Gwinner's recent unsparing attack on the decline of Prussian credit.
Previous page
