The Washington herald., 1906-12-20
BRYCE TO Be NAMED
State Department Asked If
He viii Be Acceptable.
WILL SUCCEED SIR MORTIMER
Formal Reply to Inquiry by British
Government Has Not Been Made,
tain-Nevv Ambassador Expected 10
Assume Duties in Two Months.

The British government has INQUIRED
of the State Department if James
Bryce. chief secretary for ireland I'm
the government at London, would be
acceptable 20 the United States as the
Kings Ambassador to succeed Sir
Mortimer Durand. who is TO retire from
active service. soon. The appointment
of Mr.. Bryce. which was forecast in
The Washington Herald yesterday. it
: harmed, would be perfectly satisfac-
tory TO this government. although the
State Department has made no formal
reply to the foreign office in London.
The matter will doubtless be settled
in a day or two, and an official an
nouncement made from London of Mr..
Rryce's selection. It is expected he
VIII come 10 America to take up his
new mission late in February or early
in March. Sir Mortimer Durand viii
leave Washington shortly after Christ
mas
MI Bryce is one Of the foremost
statesmen in England. and an appoint
ment which would take him out OF the
country might meet with disfavor
among his friends. who would doubtless
be anxious for him to remain where he
is. HIS selection Is a tribute to the
Importance given the American mis-
sion by those at the head OF the govern
ment in London.
Born I'm Ireland.
Mr. Bryce is sixry-eight years OF age.
He was born in Belfast, on May 10, 1899.
His father was Rev James Bryce. a
clergyman Of the Established Church of
Glasgow, Scotland. His preparatory ed
ucation was in the high school and Uni
versity Of Edinburgh Later he entered
Trinity College. oxford, from which he
was graduated IN 1862. with the degree of
B. A. and in 1870 with the degree OF. D.
c. I.
At the end of his term he was elected
fellow OF OrieI College. His career I'm
oxford was notable and he finished as an
honor man. He 0rdcticed law from 1861
until l62- He was appointed regius pro
lessor Of civil law at Oxford in 1870 and
retained that position until 1888.
In 1873 he entered politics as Liberal.
and was selected TO the House of Com
mons in the following year. His work
go NA4N ADuot Wis eIllucuJy successful
ana ne proved 70 be a leader. securing
the passage of many important measures.
Wnlle a member Of the House he declined
10 accept the post Of legal adviser to the
council OF India. an important position
winch was offered him
Enters the Cabinet.
In 1855 he was secretary of state for
foreign affairs, and in that year he was
made chancellor of the duchy Of Lam
caster with a seat in the cabinet. He
held that post until 1892 Three years
later ne was a member Of the board Of
trade. but became unpopular as a result
OF HIS opposition to government conces-
sions- for lighting and railways.
In 1874 he was chairman of the roval
commission on secondary education. and
was made a fellow Of the Royal Society
In the same year. He married Miss
Elizabeth Ashton, Of Fordbank. Man
chester. in 1889 He Is the author Of
many important works, and holds degrees
from number of universities. among
them the University of Michigan. and
is also a member of various royal acad-
emies and Institutes and historical socie-
ties