The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-25
Official Announcement to BE Made on
Monday, When the King Will
Sign His Commission.
RICHMOND PEARSON FINEI
AMERICAN MINISTER TO PERSIA DE-
CLINED TO ASK CLEMENCY.
MuIcted S75 for Insulting an Italian
Railway Official Before His Ap-
pointment to Present Post.

LONDON, Oct. A.-It is stated that the
appointment of Sir Henry Mortimer Du-
rand, the British ambassador at Madrid,
as British ambassador TO the United States
to succeed the late Sir Michael Herbert,
will be officially announced on Monday,
when the King will formally sign his COM
mission.
Sir Henry Durand left London yesterday
for Madrid, where. at his own desire, he
will personally announce his promotion.
The selection Of Sir Henry to succeed Sir
Michael Herbert was a surprise to most
people here, chiefly because he never has
had any official convention with Washing
ton. Sir Henry. however, has frequently
expressed a great liking for Americans
and desire to go to the United States.
His promotion comes more or less in the
ordinary course of diplomatic changes. but
one of the strongest recommendations
which appealed to Foreign Secretary Lans-
downe was Sir Henry's reputation of being
an excellent lawyer. A similar qualifca-
ton had much to do with the late Lord
Pauncefote's selection.
The new ambassador will speedily bid
farewell to the Spanish court and proceed
to the United States without delay.
Lady Durand is not very strong, but 1t
is hoped that the American climate will
benefit her health and enable her to COM
pletely fulfill her duties as hostess of the
British embassy. The daughter Of Sir
Henry and Lady Durand is much liked in
Madrid society. Their son is an officer in
lancers regiment.
Sir Henry Howard, the British minister
at The Hague and Luxembourg, and Sir
rfah1 ID.-4%s .l, a.
at Constantinople. We're among others con-
sidered for the post, but Sir Henry Durand
was finally selected as the most suitable.
While British minister to Persia Sir Henry
was regarded in ST. Petersburg as being
the most astute diplomat Great Britain
ever sent to Teheran. In addition to his
diplomatic success in Persia, India and
Afghanistan Sir Henry is an expert shot
and had many adventures with big game
while hunting in India, where he was
closely connected with General Lord Rob-
erts, now field marshal, serving as his po-
litical secretary during the famous Cabul
In Spanish diplomatic circles surprise is
expressed at Sir Henry's withdrawal from
Madrid.
Sir Henry. who was born in 1850. is son
of the late Major General Sir Henry Du-
rand. He married in 1875 Ella Reve, daugh-
ter of Teigenmouth Sandys. Esq, of the
British civil service Sir Henry was ap-
pointed to the British Privy Coz lcil in
1891. He is the author of a life Of his
father, Sir Henry Durand, and of Helen
Treveryan."
WASHINGTON, Oct 24.-The State De-
partment has not yet been advised Of the
reported intention of the British govern
ment to appoint Sir Henry Durand as am
bassador TO Washington to succeed the late
Sir Michael Herbert. But the inquiries
that have been made In the usual official
form as to the acceptability OF Sir Henry,
together with private advices, make it al
most certain that the selection has been
made and merely awaits formal ANNOUNCE
significant and important feature of the
selection of Sir Henry is the fact that it
is the first time the British government has
sent an ambassador directly to Washing
ton. Heretofore Washington has been
looked upon as a post ranking at the foot
of the embassies hence ii has been the
custom to promote a minister to the en-
bassy to be ambassador here. So the ac-
ton of the British government In this case
marks a growing sense OF appreciation Of
the Importance of Washington as diplo-
matte post.