The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-21
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DISTINGUISHED FRENCH AMBAS-
sADoR AT WASHINGTON
His Personal Appearance and Charac-
teristics-Former Public Services.
The Embassy Offices, Etc.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-The French
ambasss .or. M. Jules Cambon, is distinct
ly on u the men of the day. From the Sc
req - of diplomatic life in Washington,
usually varied during the dog days by out
ings to Newport and Bar Harbor, social ex-
changes and afternoon teas, the ambassa-
dor of France has suddenly come forward
as an International peacemaker, presenting
Spains plea for peace. pleading her cause,
receiving the terms on which the greatest
war Of decade Is to come to an end. AL
ready, in other fields, he has distinguished
himself, but here there Is little known Of
the personality of the new conner who with
the president and Secretary Day. occupies
public attention. 1t is worth knowing some
thing of the individuality of such a conspic-
uous figure in the close OF this war tragedy.
In personal appearance NJ. Cambon hard
ly would be taken for a Frenchman. but
rather for a Briton. He Is of medium
height, stockily built, alert and vigorous in
action, the very picture of good health,
good living and good temper. His face Is
kindly, almost benevolent and usually
smiling, even when discussing those serious
questions which have recently engrossed
the attention Of the country. He has man.
aged during his long and important public
service to wear his cares lightly and there
y fs not a line Of worry or ascetcism in his
full, round face. His hair is just turning
gray, and his short, closely-cropped side
whiskers are also just beginning to silver.
About the embassy, with his usual assoc
ciates, he Is one of the most agreeable Of
men. There is none of "Your Exceuency'
about him. He jokes with his secretaries.
enjoys good stories, strolls into the Metro
politan Club and shares the club life, or
goes to the golf links at Chevy Chase to see
the sport. and sometimes to take hand In
It.
For the moment M. Cambon does his
work IN the embassy drawing room, hung
with Its exquisite tapestries from the
French government factory at Beauvais.
It has great wide cathedral windows,
through which sweep Of air gives some re-
lief during this torrid weather. and his
desk is placed to gather all the comfort
from the southern breeze. Here one is
quite apt to find him In a suit Of light, blue
striped flannel, with his papers before him,
and big leather chair handy for the guest.
Here he received Baron Fava and Mgr.
Martinelli the other day, representing two
phases of Italy, temporal and ecclesiastic-
al; not together, but within half an hour
of each other If he takes walk during
the day he puts aside the flannel coat and
wears black alpaca with an additional
touch of somber dignity. But flannel, al
paca and straw hat give way when the
time arrives for a call on the president at
the White House To the old world diplo-
mats an appearance before the head of
nation is an occasion Of greatest moment.
Usually at European courts the require
ments are so punctilous that court attire Is
worn, and ambassadors and ministers wear
their full uniforms. And in the call OF an
ambassador 1t is an occasion when his rank
also comes in for distinguished recognition.
usually by sending for him the state car
riage and an escort of cavalry. But in
democratic America, while there is none Of
the trappings Of state, M. Cambon and his
secretaries never appear at the White
House without the conventional black
frock suit and silk hat. 1t is only a step
from the embassy to the executive man
sion, but to carry out the formality Of the
occasion carriage is summoned and takes
the ambassador to the west entrance lead
ing up to the mansion. He never drives I'D
the long circular walk to the portico, but
prefers to leave the carriage at the outer
entrance and stroll through the grounds,
pointing out the fine old trees and the
shrubbery.
At present the French embassy is given
over mainly to official life, as Nine. Cam
bon has not yet come from Paris, and there
Is not the social gaiety that has gone before
and is likely to come later when the lady of
this diplomatic household arrives. NJ. Cam
bon has two interesting children, a boy of
II, Roger, and girl Of 8. Jacqueline. They
hov, 1,a1, ,v,SAt
now Roger is through with his college term
and he arrives today at New York. on his
way here to spend the summer vacation
with his father. B. Boeufve has gone TO
New York to bring him over Mime Cam
bon and little Miss Jacqueline will spend
q the hot months at Trouvllle or Nice, Join
Ing the ambassador here in the fall.
1t Is rather a coincidence that the en-
bassy is in building characteristically
French. 1t is the old landmark known
as the Admiral Porter house on Hpstreet
adjoining the Metropolitan club. Not by
design but by the abandonment of the
rear stables wide paved area on one side
leads to the embassy offices, much like
thoses courts of Paris houses where the
concierge meets you and reckons the cost
of matches and soap. Senator Brice made
u diioioH citTdHCe 10 the OlQ COrCOran
house when he occupied it, but this ono
was ready made, though not so by design.
On the other side and back of the house
Is an ample garden, rather uncultivated,
but giving that generous sweep of ground
also characteristic Of the better class of
French houses, and rather like the wide
courts and gardens about the Partisan
home of Whitelaw Reid when he was United
Stats minister there. This garden, by the
way is the most timely retreat during the
hot summer nights. The ambassador takes
his dinner at 7:30, and here again a French
custom prevails of taking dinner In the open
air, on the veranda in the rear OF the house
overlooking the garden. Usually NJ. THE
taut dimes with him, and sometimes M.
Uaigny, Count D'Appachier and M.
Boeufve. When they are finished with the
good things French chef knows how to
set out, the wine is slipped and cigarettes
smoked out on this garden veranda, away
from the hot and smelly street. with the
scent of verdure and the moonlight Here
Is good place to talk over knotty prob
lens in the diplomatic negotiations over
Spain. and during the last ten days Of
flying cablegrams between Madrid and
Washington many a serious compiled ton
has been gone over. smoothed out and pre-