Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-31
KINGS APPROVAL
Is Alone Necessary to Send the
Hon. M. H. Herbert
As Great Britain's Minister to Wash
ngton, to Succeed Pauncefote.
WeIl-known at Capital and SplendidIy
Qualified for Place.

London, May 30.-Hon Michael Henry
Herbert, who is nominally secretary to
the British embassy at Paris will prob
ably be the next British ambassador to
the United States, in succession 10 the
late Lord Pauncefotc.
Mr.. Herbert's appointment to this
post, will probably not be announced
until the remains of Lord Pauncefote
arrive in England. The Only question
in regard to Mr.. H-rbert's selection for
the Washington post is the approval Of
King Edward.
The Associated Press understands
that His Majesty is taking a keen per
sonal interest III the matter Of Lord
Pauncefote's successor, but the King
will not be asked officially to confirm or
disapprove the candidate Of the for
eign office until the period Of time dur
ing which the government pays respect
to the late Lord Pauncefote has
elapsed.
While there is no reason to believe
that King Edward will object to Mr.
Herbert, who has the official backing
of both English and American dipIo-
mats, there must always remain an eIe-
mcnt Of doubt in the matter until the
suggested Appointment receives the roy
al sanction, and especially in view of
The acute attention which His Majesty
mas given to this important promotion.
The matter of Mr.. Herbert's going to
Washington has been still further COM
plicated by the unexpected delay in
sending over Lord Pauncefote's re-
mains. The British government, Off
cially, fully expected Lord PauncefOte's
body would arrive in England prior to
the coronation of King Edward and it
is not little Disconnected by the re-
ceipt of dispatches announcing that the
obsequies in England will not occur I'M
til July.
The determination to select Mr.. Her
bert as ambassador to the United
States was reached after many con
SITUATIONS with those who are fitted to
voice an opinion in the matter. While
nOminally secretary to the British en-
bassy at Paris. Mr.. Herbert was really
minister plenipotentiary to France. and
as such he frequently acted in most i'm
pOrtant crises in the absence of Sir Ed
mund ]. Monson, Great Britain's am
bassador there.
Mr.. Herbcrts marriage with Leila.
daughter of Richard T. Wilson of New
York. as a result of which he became
closely related to the Vanderbilts. the
Cgden-Goclets and the Astors, will not
in any way interfere, according to opin-
ions here. with his usefulness as Great
Britain's ambassador at Washington.
Mr.. Herbert's record at Washington
as charge d'affaires from 1883 until 1889
and as secretary to the British Iega-
ton there from 1892 to 1898, and his
work as British agent on the Venezue-
Ian commission, eminently fit him, SO
official belief inclines, for his proposed
new and important duties.
At Paris. Mr.. Herbert's present position
is somewhat curious for. while holding
the rank of full-fedged minister, he
has to take second place when Sir Ed
mund j. Monsoon, the ambassador. is re-
siding in France.
\ curious feature connected with all the
British diplomats vino were considered
by the British foreign office as possible
candidates to fill the vacancy at Wash
ington, is that they will have American
wives. Sir Henry Howard. who is now
Great Britains minister at The Hague.
and who was for many years attached to
the British legation at Washington, mar
ried Miss Riggs Of Washington.
Sir Francis II. Plunkett, the British am
bassador at Vienna, married Miss Nor
gan of Philadelphia; Lord Curzon of
l<edleston, viccroy of India, married Mis-;
Letter of Washington; Austin Lee Great
Britain's commercial attache to France.
Belgium and Switzerland. married MISS
De Wolf Smith of New York; and Alan
tombstone, the British charge daffaircs
at Darmstadt, married Miss Pinchol Of
New York
Before the new ambassador at Wash
inSton takes up his duties, the salary of
the ambassador there will probably he
put upon a par with the highest paid in
treat Britains diplomatic service, namely
that which is paid her ambassador at
Paris, 5000 ($i5,O09) a year