The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-14
Missourian Will Be Succeeded BY
North DakOtan as Consul
General to Canada.
FORCED OUT FOR FAVORITES.
Northwest Politicians Demanded
Berth for Major A. w. Edwards
and President Dished Out Bit
fingers Scalp on a Platter.
The Republic Bureau.


Washington. March l3.-It is announced
to-day that Major A. W. Edwards of Far
go, N D.. is to be appointed 10 the position
now held by Major John L. Bittinser Of
Missouri Consul General to Montreal, Can
ada. The nomination probably will be sent
to the Senate Saturday.
So far as can be ascertained Che appoint
ment is one decided upon by the President
for political reasons, and has no connec-
ton whatever with recent events S,nnec.-
cd with the interview with Major Bittinger.
Of which complaint was made to the STATE
Department 1t is said that Major Bittinger
Is TO be removed. but upon what ground
has not vet developed. Speculation, how
ever. is rife and the understanding Is that
the President will rely upon Secretary
Hitchcock and Mr.. Atkins to deliver the
Missouri delegation to him in the next Ma
tionai Convention. regardless OF the Bit
fingers and the Kerenses.
The general impression here is that Major
Bittinger Is to be removed because Major
Edwards has to be taken care Of to please
the North Dakota politicians. That IS the
view taken of the matter in the North
Dakota camp. At all events. Secretary
Hitchcock has not interposed 10 prevent
Bittinger's removal.
The first intimation that Major Bittinger
was in danger came the other day when
North Dakota delegation called on the Pres
ident and represented to him the urgency
OF taking care OF Major Edwards of their
State.
The President then said he could offer
them the consul generalshp to Montreal.
This was the first suggestion OF prospect
i've change in the Montreal consul general
ship.
Nothing was known of 1t at the State
Department, and at first it was thought
that some mistake had been made To-day,
however the story is confirmed and Ed
wards will undoubtedly be appointed.
Surprise is expressed among Missourians
that Secretary Hitchcock. II he is not in
terested directly in Bittingers removal, has
made no effort to prevent 1t, at least, so as
to retain the place for Missourian, and 1t
is this that has given rise to talk that Bit
tiuger is persona non grata with the Secre-
tary.
He was appointed by President Mckinley
early In the first administration Of the dead
President. The place was one CT number
voluntarily offered him by the Chief Ex-
eoutive. When personal attacks were made
on him by members of his own party prom
inent Missourians went to the President and
told him that no man stood higher in the
esteem Of the people of Missouri than he
did. Acting on an old story which has been
used to damage Major Bitttnger repeatedly.
after his appointment to Montreal, he was
black balled by prominent club to which
he applied for membership, and subsequent
ly he was again brought into fame by his
in which he criticised the cook
ing of the Montreal hotels and complained
of the extortionate prices which prevailed.
His standing as Consul General however,
was never impaired and ne was looked upon
as one Of the most creditaole officials in
that capacity in the consular service.
Major Bittinger has mary friends in ST.
Louis, and 1t is not improbable that a
strong effort will be made to induce the
President to transfer him to some position
of equal Importance as the Montreal consul
Major Bittinger's resignation has been Of
hcially asked for by the Secretary of State
The cause assigned for this action Is that
Mr. Bittinger was quoted in a Montreal
paper advocating the annexation of Canada
to the United States.
Ohcial cognizance was taken OF the re-
marks attributed to him by Premier Laurier.
who referred the matter to London.
From London the case was forwarded to
The British Ambassador in Washington, and
BY him laid before Secretary Hay. The
secretary. il Is said, called upon Major Bit
finger fo- an explanation, which was not
satisfactory, and the next step was his re-
,all. 1t is now stated that Edwards's nomi- |
cation will be sent to the Senate next week. |