The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-25
Sir Henry Dufand Will Succeed
 Sir Michael Herbert
IS NOW MINISTER TO SPAIN
He Has Frequently Expressed a Great Liknq for Americans and Desire to Come to the United States.
 He Is an Astute Diplomat.

London, October 24.-The Associated Press is able to announce the appointment of Sir Henry Durand. the British ambas- sador at Madrid. as British ambassador to the United States to succeed the late Sir Michael Herbert official announce ment of the appointment however will not be made until Monday when the King will formally sign his commission
 Sir Henry Durand left London yester- day for Madrid, where at his own desire he will personally announce his promo ton. The selection of Sir Henry to sue ceed Sir Michael Herbert was a surprise to most people here, chiefly because he has never had any official connection with Washington.
 Sir Henry Anxious to Come.
 The Associated Press learns that Sir Henry has frequently expressed a great liking for Americans and desire to go h the United States. His promotion comes more or less in the ordinary course of diplomatic changes but one of the strong est recommendations which appealed to Foreign Secretary Lansdowne was Sir Henrys reputation of being an excellent lawyer. A similar qualification had much to do with the late Lord Pauncefotes se- lection. The new ambassador will speed fly bid farewell to the Spanish court and proceed to tho United States without de- lay.
 Lady Durand is not very strong, but 1t Is hoped that the American climate will benefit her health and enable her to completely 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 Nicolas O connor, the British ambassador at Constarf@ople. were among oihei, considered sor the post. While British minister to Persia, Sir Henry. was regard ed in St. Petersburg as being the most astute diplomat Great Britain ever sent to Teheran.
 All Expert Shot.
 In addition to his diplomatic success in Persia, India and Afghanistan Sir Henry is an expert shot. and has had many ad- ventures with big game while hunting in India, where he was closely connected with General Lord Roberts serving as his political secretary during the famous Cabul campaign.
 In Spanish diplomatic circles surprise ia expressed at Sir Henry's withdrawal from Madrid.
 Sir Henry, who was born in 1850. Is a son of the late Major General Sir Henry Durand He married in 1875 Ella Reve. daughter of Teignmouth Sandys. Esq, of the British civil service. Sir Henry was appointed to the British privy council in 1891 He is the author of life of his father, Sir Henry Durand and of Helen Trevelyan."
 Significant Feature. | Washington October 4-The signi1- cant and important feature of the selec- | ton of Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, British ambassador at Madrid, as am bassador to Washington, is the fact thal it is the first time the British government has sent an ambassador directly to Washington. Heretofore Washington has been looked upon as a post ranking at the foot of the embassies hence 1t has been the custom to promote a minister to inc embassy to be ambassador here. So the action Of the British government In this case marks a growing sense of ap- preciation of the importance of Washing ton as a diplomatic post.