Insult

An Insult to an Ambassador: International Incident

In the book “International Incidents for Discussion in Conversation Classes”, in relation to this subject, L. Oppenheim wrote in 1909: The following appeared in the papers, dated St Petersburg, Feb. 4th, 1908:

“M. Bompard, the French Ambassador, regarding a recent paragraph in the Grazhdanin as insulting, has addressed himself to M. Isvolsky, Minister for Foreign Affairs, complaining that the statement in question was directed against himself in his capacity of representative of the French Republic in Russia. He therefore asks for the protection of the Imperial Government. Since the Press laws contain no provision for the criminal prosecution of newspapers for insults offered to representatives of friendly Powers, a decree has been issued whereby the Prefect of St Petersburg, in virtue of the powers conferred upon him under the law on ‘extraordinary protection,’ has inflicted upon the editor of the Grazhdanin a fine of 1,000 roubles (£100).”