Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-31

NO OFFICIAL FOOTING.
Lord Sackville's Status In Washington.
HE rs MERELY AN INDrvIDUAI-BUT THE BRITISH
GOVERNMENT Is REPRESENTED BY IT'S LEGATION
HERE-sEcoSD SECRETARY HERBERr TO BE
ACTING MINISTER.
At the State Department STAR reporter was
informed to-day that Secretary Bayard was
''very busy" and could not then be SEEN After
time the reporter learned from the Secretary
that there was nothing new" in connection
with the Lord Sackville affair. The reporter
then undertook to ascertain what course
the British minister will pursue in
taking his leave; whether there
is any restriction placed upon hi s move
ments or not. The information was that Lord
Sackville is now regarded as an individual by
the State Department, and that he is at liberty
to regulate his own movements. He can re-
main in Washington indefinitely, but he is, in
an official sense, no more than the humblest
man who walks the streets. He is not nor
Will he be recognized in any sort of
oHcial capacity. There is something in the
nature OF legend about the Department that
| the custom once prevailed of hurrying a dis
graced minister away without ceremony, but it
Is admitted that such practice, if it ever really
existed has fallen into innocuous desuetude.
At all events the best authorities in the Depart
ment in regard to diplomatic etiquette coneede
that Minister West can consult his own pleas
ure and convenience to leaving. For all
diplomatic negotiations the official Of the lega-
ton next in rank to the minister will now
| be recognized.
NO COPY OF THE LETTER TO MINISTER WEST TO BE
| OBTAINED.
The STAR reporter endeavored to obtain q
% Al L.. 81,
Minister West notifying him Of his summary
Bayard holds that it was in the
nature of a private communication
and that he is not at liberty to make it public.
| With regard to the published letter purporting
to be a copy of the one transmitted to Lord
Sackville, The STAR reporter was assured that
SIT is not" said State Department official,
| "a copy of the letter. That letter has not been
| given to anybody from this Department, and,
apparently, it has not been given out by Lord
Sackville. for that alleged copy published is al
| together wrong"
| AN AMERICAN LADY AS MISTRESS OF THE BRITISH
| LEGATION.
Within about two weeks an American lady
will be the mistress of the British legation at
Washington. This is an interesting and curious
outcome Of the Lord Sackville controversy.
| There is now no British minister at
| on the notification of Lord Sackville that the
President would have no further official COM
munication with him. This does not leave the
British government unrepresented here. The
attaches of the legation are not the
minister's personal staff, and his dis
missal or recall does not affect their
position. The secretary next in rank to the
minister at once becomes acting minister, and
all official communications are through him.
Mr.. Edwardes, the first secretary of the British
i lnfra rrr1, Do taI
to return for some time. Mr.. Michael
| Herbert, recently made second secretary,
will become acting minister until Lord Sack
villes successor is appointed, or until Mr..
Edwardes' return. Mr.. Herbertrecently arrived
| here from Europe, and is to be married to Miss
Leila Wilson, Of New York. The bride will
thus become the head of the legation house.
| hold in this city as long Mr.. Herbert is act
| ing minister.
| LORD sACKvILLE's INTENTIONS.
There was naturally much speculation to-
day as to the probable course Of Lord Sack
vile, the British minister, in the present en-
barrassing state of affairs. 1t was thought the
| move most agreeable to him would be
immediate departure from Washington but
gentleman in a position to know told STAR
| reporter this afternoon that he did not think
Lord Sackville would be in any hurry to leave
here. He said: Il have not seen the minister my
self, but friend Of mine who talked with
him last night was told that he did not contem-
plate immediate departure. There is no
doubt Lord Sackville feels keenly the hui
initiation that has come to him. He
is not crushed, however, but indig-
nant at what he regards as the unfair
manner to put it mildly, in which he has been
| treated. and if he were to speak his mind freely
he would say some things not calculated to re-
move the unpleasantness now existing between
America and England. l don't think it at
all probable Lord Sackville will leave here
before election. He will wait to receive in
structions from his government and diplo-
| matte affairs always move slowly except when
their movement is accelerated by some such
decisive action as that taken by the President
| yesterday"
THEY HAVE NOTHING TO SAY AT THE LEGATION
BUILDING.
| At the British minister's residence perfect
| silence is maintained on the subject Of the
Presidents action. Lord Sackville refused to
| to see anyone to-day and those present
said merely that the minister had learned
| from experience not to talk, and that
all was uncertainty as to his departure from
| Washington. His retirement from his position
! in this country does not, of course, retire him
| from the diplomatic service of his country.
| What his position will be at home will depend
chiefly upon his influence there and the dispo-
siton of the British toward this Government.
He has been for forty-three years in the di-
plomatic service of his country, and may be
retired, but such retirement wonld, in effect,
| De his UlSSrace. II tHe
government determines to sustain him
| he will receive an appointment
| Of equal rank to the one he retires from. He
might be promoted to higher mission. This
would be regarded as intended to re-
buke the action of this country.
However, there is nothing in the mere retire.
ment of Lord Sackville that should in
itself disturb the friendly relations in
this country. We are at perfect liberty
| to refuse to have communication
with a foreign minister without such re-
fusal being construed into an unfriendly
act towards the nation he represents
| The new British minister will have 1t in his
power to establish most cordial relations if he
| is a man of tact.
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.