The sun., 1906-12-24
AMBASSADOR DURAND'S GOING
AND the EPISODE or LADY
Susan TOWNLEY.
Conduct on the Part Or woman which He
Felt OriciaIIy Obliged 10 Resent High
Opinion OF sir Mortimer That Is I'm
tertalncd I'm Washington society.

Opinion OF SIR Mortimer That Is ED-
tertaIncd In Washington society.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 23.-Sir Henry Morti-
mer Durand, King Edwards Ambassador
in Washington. is maintaining a dignified
silence in regard to the many reports that
are being circulated as TO the reasons for
his recall from this capital Those who
know him find nothing surprising in this
attitude. for the British envoy is first and
last a gentleman, and he has proper regard
for the propreties surrounding his official
status as the representative Of great
Power.
According to current rllmor a woman is
at the bottom OF his withdrawal from the
United States Whether or not this is true
the very fact that woman name has been
connected with the matter is sufficient
reason for the attitude OF the Ambassador
in being first and last gentleman in declin-
ing to discuss the subject.
The woman in the case is Lady Susan
Townley, wife of Walter Beaupre Townley,
the British Minister to Brazil. Mr.. Townley
was stat ioned here as counsellor of the
British Embassy for part OF the time that
Sir Henry Mortimer Durand was Am
bassador. Lady Susan is a sister OF the
close TO the London Foreign Office and
King Edward.
II is a matter OF common knowledge
in Washington that there were differences
between Sir Mortimer Durand and the
Townleys. II il said that the Ambassador,
as the officially accredited representative
Of foreign Government at this capital,
felt obliged TO resent the fast and free
- L., ..sf r. 1Hh hto
official stan on the personal characteristics
Of President Roosevelt and other public
men. This, il ia declared. caused resent
ment on the part of Lady Susan.
There have been indications that certain
London newspapers fond OF gossipping
about the personal ins and outs Of govern
mental affairs were melted to make re-
fections on Sir Mortimer Durand by in
formation conveyed from a prejudiced
source. All that has been said TO the British
Ambassadors alleged discredit, however.
il not OF a serious character. Most people
would regard il as idle and silly. II has
been charged that he was not az close to
President Roosevelt IA Baron Speck Won
Sternburg, Emperor Williams Ambassa-
dor. This il unquestonablo.
Baron Sternburg was an intimate friend
T.
ington in subordinate capacities. They
were in the habit of taking long walks
together, climbing cliffs along the Potomac
and enjoying themselves as strenuous
men will in the days of their youth. 1t is
true, also, that Sir Mortimer DIrand did
not play tennis on tho White House court
where his diplomatic colleague, Mr.. Jusser-
and the French Ambassador, IL seen fire.
quently.
But IL he did not climb cliffs or play ten
mis- with the President, as some English
Journals seem 10 think he should have done
10 be successful in Washington, Sir Nor
timer managed TO win the regard and
esteem of the greater portion Of the Ameri-
cans with whom he came in contact through
his democratic manner and his outspoken
liking for American men and women.
Sir Mortimer showed himself to be man
Of simple tastes. fond OF skating, horse
back riding and other outdoor exercise.
He was even seen frequently taking long
walks with big ST. Bernard dog, TO which
he was greatly attached. Those who came
20 know him found that he was a student,
a man Of widespread knowledge and able
10 hold his own on all disputed questions
before the public His manner was digni-
fleO, DuJ never COlUs NO man Ol
in Washington was more .approachable.
II ia said by his friends that his greatest
fault was a natural difidence which served
10 some extent to hide the feelings Of a
kindly and considerate heart.
One OF the stories that have been going
the rounds since the announcement Of Sir
Mortimer's prospective withdrawal from
Washington was TO the effect that the
British Government was dissatisfied with
his conduct of the negotiations which re-
suited in the modus vivendi in regard to
the Newfoundland fisheries. The truth
il that Sir Mortimer had nothing TO do
with these negotiations. They were con-
Quoted by the British Foreign Offioe and
whitelaw Reid, the American Ambassador
in London. This is only single instance
of the erroneous statements circulated in
regard 10 Sir Mortimer's recall.
The departure Of the Durands will be
cause Of regret TO a large section Of Wash
inRton's official and social world, which
deprecates the attempt TO make it appear
that the Ambassador did not appreciate
Americans and failed 10 sympathize with
the domestic habits Of those with whom
no was thrown in contact.