Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-10-27
DukAnD TO COME
TO WASHINGTON
British Ambassador at Madrid to Be
Transferred to the United
States.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF
APPOINTMENT NOT YET MADE
IL Expected Monday When King Will
Sign His Comm ission-SelectfOn OF
Successor to Late Sir Herbert
surprlse-New Representative Re-
garded a. an Astute Diplomat.

Successor TO Late Sac AcrOert
surprlse-New Representative Re-
garded a. an Astute Diplomat.
London, Oct. 26-The appointment
of Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, the
British ambassador at Madrid, as Brit
ish ambassador to the United States,
to succeed the late Sir Michael Her
bert, is announced on good authority
here. Oh1cial announcement of the
appointment, however. will not be
made until Monday, when the king will
formally sign his commission.
Sir Henry Durand left London FRI
day for Madrid, where, at his own de-
sire, he will personally announce his
promotion.
Selection q Surprise.
The selection of Sir Henry to sue
coed Sir Michael Herbert was sur
prise to most people here, chiefly be-
cause he has never had any official
connection with Washington.
1t Is said that Sir Henry has fire.
Quently expressed great liking for
Americans and adesire to goto the Unit
ed States. His promotion comes more
or less IN the ordinary course of dip
lomatic changes, but one of the strong
est recommendations which appealed
to Foreign Secretary Lansdowne was
Sir Henry's reputation of being an ex-
cellent lawyer. A similar qualification
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
It is hoped that the American climate
will benefit her health and enable her
to completely fulfill her duties as host
ess Of the British embassy. The
daughter of Sir Henry and Lady
Durand is much liked in Madrid So
ciety. Their son is an officer in a
lancers regiment
Others Considcrei for the Post.
Sir Henry Howard. the British min
lister at The Hague and Luxumberg.
and Sir Nicholas O'Connor, the Brit
fish ambassador at Constantinople,
were among others considered 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 sue
cesses in Persia. India end Afghanis-
tan, Sir Henry is an expert shot and
had many adventures with big game
while hunting In India where he was
closely connected with Gen. Lord Rob-
erts, now field marshal, serving as his
political secretary during the famous
Cabul campaign.
In Spanish diplomatic circles sur
prise ls expressed ut Sir Henry's with
drawal from Madrid.
Sir Henry, who was born in 1850, is
q son Of the late Maj. Gen. Sir Henry
Durand. He married in 1875 Ella
Reeve. daughter of Telgnmouth sandys,
Esq, of the British civil service. Sir
Henry was appointed to the British
privy council in 1901. He is the author
of life of his father, Sir Henry Du-
IaUu, anu VI 17elen 1IeVeFydu.
A Significant Feature.
Washington, Oct. 26.-The signifi-
cant and important feature of the Sc
lection of Sir Henry Mortimer Durand.
British ambassador at Madrid, as am
bassador to Washington is the fact
that it is the first time the British gov
eminent has sent an ambassador d.
rectly to Washington. Heretofore
Washington has been looked upon as a
post ranking at the foot of the en-
bassies, hence it has been the custom
to promote minister to the embassy
to be Ambassador here. So the action
Of the British government in this case
marks growing sense of appreciation
Of the Importance of Washington as
diplomatic post.