Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-24

these were promptly denied. and II was
made apparent that Lord Pauncefote's ten
ure at Washington Jay entirely within MS
own wishes, and moreover that the British
government preferred that he should not
quit the post where he had rendered such
splendid service.
AS soon as it became generally known
that Lord Pauncefote was dead, flags were
half-masted the different embassies
and legations. At the Arlington Hotel,
where the visiting Frenchmen, who have
come to witness the Rochambeau statue
unveiling, are stopping, the French flag was
placed at half mast.
The President Notified.
Secretary Hay learned early of the death
o. Lord Pauncefote and was filled with re-
gret and deep emotion. He went imme-
diateIy to the White House and informed
the President, who was panied and grieved
a the Demise of so distinguished and good
man as the representative in this country
of Great Britain. The President and Sec
retary Hay at once prepared a note of
coincidence and forwarded it to Mrs
Pauncefote. The President likewise wrote
a message of sympathy to King Edward and
had it placed upon the wires for instant
transmission to Great Britain.
A Rare Mark of Esteem.
1t was decided that upon the conclusion
of the Rochambeau exercises the flag on
the White House should be placed at half
staff, an unusual mark of official esteem
and standing. The President and Secretary
Hay Secretary CortelyOu and number
of the callers at the White House person
ally expressed the grief they felt, and
touched upon the great loss that has been
sustained by England. After the confer
ence it was announced that the President
would call at the British embassy lmme-
diately. after the unveiling ceremonies 10
offer his personal condolences and ascer-
tain the wishes of Lord Pduncefote's fam1-
Iv in regard to further plans.
Secretary Hay seemed TO personally feel
the loss of his cid friend most poignantly,
and spoke in the most eulogistic terms OF
the dead diplomat
1t was stated at the White House thal
Mrs. Letter had cancelled her invitations to
the reception to the French mission this
evening.
Secretary Hays Call of Coincidence
After the conference Secretary Hay pro-
ceeded directly to the British ampassy'
where he made a formal call of coincidence
as the personal representative of the Presl-
dent preliminary to the call which the
President himself was to make later in the
day. Then returning to the State Depart
ment Secretary Hay dispatched the fol-
lowing cablegram
Department of State.
May "a, 1902
The Marquis of Lansdowne, London:
Permit me to express my deep sympathy
and sorrow at the death of Lord Paunce-
fote. His majesty's government has lost
a most able and faithful servant and this
country valued friend. JOHN HAY"
The Secretary had fully expressed his
sentiments in the above cablegram, and
all that he cared to say in addition of the
deceased peer was ''he was not only man
of very high personal merit but he was a
good friend of ours
Could Not Defer Ceremonies.
Having dispatched his message of condo
lence the Secretary of State proceeded to
attend the ceremonies connected with the
dedication of the ROchambeau statue. At
first there seemed to be an ncongruity in
this but it appeared that the law of the
land in the shape of an act of Congress-
REQUIRED the statue to he unveiled as of this
date, and although there was every dispo-