RIP VAN WINKLES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 208, 3 September 1934, Page 9

RIP VAN WINKLES

OLD IMPERIAL RUSSIA “AMBASSADORS” OF THE TSAR. Although the Russia of the Tsar: ceased to exist 17 years ago there stil remain a few square yards of soil ovei which the Imperial Russian Eagh 'keeps watch. At Bucharest, Rumania, and in Bel grade, the Yugoslavian capital,, the Im pcrial Russian embassies still exist ' Their “Ambassadors” still belong t< I the tDiplomatic Corps, stall extend pro lection to the “subjects of the Tsar’ and still maintain the fiction that ok Imperial Russia lives. “I have been put in charge of tin ■ Russian Embassy of Bucharest by Hi 1 Majesty the Tsar.” M. Poklewsky Koziell said on July 6. “1 have no ■ been notified officially that my missior i is ended. Naturally, I continue to per form my duties.” This official strictly adheres to thii Rip Van Winkle attitude and the Im perial embassy, once the noblest edilici on the gay Calea Victoriei, but nov shabby and dilapidated, still continue: ; to “function.” The same applies t< the Belgrade Embassy. . The “Ambassadors’’ have not. re [ ceived a penny for 17 years. They an | now reduced to one servant each am j have struggled along by selling th< luxurious furnishings of the embassy buildings. But into these “sleepy hollow” em bassdos reality is now forcing its way Rumania and Yugoslavia have at las decided to recognise Soviet Russia, am the U.S.S.R. Foreign Office is now pre 1 paring to send Ambassadors to thesi capitals. ' There can be but one outcome, bu M. Poklewsky-Koziell says he as deter I mined to keep the Imperial Eagle alofi I at. all costs, and Rumania is finding tht affair exceedingly awkward.