The Washington herald., 1906-11-29
.CURZON NOT The man
Britain Unlikely to Offer Him
AmbaSSadOrShip.
HE PROBABLY WOULD REJECT
Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice, Who For
merIy Was Secretary to Legation
Here, Is Considered Most Favored
of the Many Diplomats Mentioned
as Probable Successor of Durand.

The question CT who is 10 be the success
sor at the British Embassy Of Sir Nor
timer Durand is causing much specula-
ton. not only in Washington society. but
in diplomatic ana political circles as well.
It is reported now that although Sir
Mortimer will leave for England on jan
uary /. the British government will not
appoint a new Ambassador for at least
three months. In this case Sir Mortimer
will retain his official connection with
the embassy, although absent.
A number Of names Of prominent Eng
lishmen have been mentioned as his sue
cessor, but among those who know. the
idea that Lord Curzon, Of Kedleston,
will be selected is secuted. 1t IS regarded
as most improbable that Lord Curzon
would accept the post. even If it were
offered; and. remembering that he is pO-
Htically opposed to the present ministry.
is is unlikely that he Will have an op-
portunity.
He like Lord Rosebery, declared that
I his ambition was 10 become Prime Min
I istcr Of England some day. and the evil
| dent weakness OF the present government
/ Of Great Britain. and the need there will
| be of strong men in the House Of Com
mons. when It is reorganizcd. opens 10
/ Lord CUrz0n (who is an Irish peer and
eligible to stand for any English bor-
0ughj the first step toward his goal.
Mr.. Spring-RIce Is Favored.
The most likely name mentioned 50
| far is that Of Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice
| recently appointed Minister 10 Persia.
/ Mr. Spring Rice has had much diplomatic
! experience. He was FOR years first secre-
/ tary 10 the legation at Berlin. and prior
I TO that was one Of the secretaries 90 the
I British Legation here
He married a daughter of Sir Frederick
Lascelles. one Of the brightest diplomats
| and wittiest men In England His daugh.
! ter has Inherited. # is said. all or heI
| fathers popular traits and she would be
a distinct and pleasant addition % Wash
/ ington society, Mr. SpriHg-Rice is q great
! personal friend Of President Roosevelt
and would especially be persona grata al
/ the White House.
Sir Alan JOhnstone Minister 20 Den
mark, IS another diplomat who has beer
| mentioned for the place He. also. has
served as secretary 20 the British Legation
/ in Washington. and while here was popu-
/ l8r in society. and was the champion
/ amateur tennis player OF the District.
Another mentioned is Gerald Lowther
! stationed at TaugieT He married Mis-.
/ Alice Blight Of New York His wife &,
I said 20 be a good diplomat herself. a tTai
I that is considered very helpful. especially
/ in Washington.
EnyOys of the Past.
In view Of the interest manifested Ir
the successor to Sir Mortimer. the lis
Of the British ENJOYS to this country
/ from the first minister. George Ham
mond. who had such a stormy time Of q
/ during the four years he passed in Phil
adelphia, then the Capital. is interes ting
/ George Hammond served from Novem
I Der IS. 1871. 10 August Il. l-9l. and. al
/ though his recall was not asked for hii
/ Tory smgsthies and his atfiIati0u Will
the enemies Of the government made hi'
/ departure a subject for congratulauor
/ TO The officials OF that day. His secrc
/ tary was Edward Thornton, afrerwar,
/ Sir Edward Thornton. whose son wa.
/ subsequently British Minister to thi.
+ country. Phineas Bond. a PhIadelphis
Tory. was also connected with the frs
British Legation, and acted as chars,
d'aHaires from August {. 1895. 10 May z
/ l7s6.
ST Robert Liston presented his ere
/ deu,lals in May 1896 and served unit
/ 1880. Then came Anthony Merry. WI,
was certainly not persona gra,a. although
/ he remained three years. from November
I 1893. TO November, 1886 He was sue
ceeded by David NJ Ersk.ue.
Francis James Jackson followed LoT,
| Ersk!ne and had the shortest service o.
any foreign minister ia TIE history G.
/ the government HIS credentials wer
presented on October 3. 1893. and on No
/ vember H. of the same year. he was re
! called at the request of the United States
/ Government England showed her dis
approval Of this request by leaving tn
post vacant here for almost d year. bu
in August. 1910. John Phillip MurIer VA
named as charge d'afaires. and ac;o,
until July. 1911. when Augustus Johi
Foster, whose services terminated witt
the declaration Of war against Great Brit
ain. was appointed
After the War of 1912.
Upon the re-establishment of peace
Anthony St. John Baker was made min
lister He remained in Washington onl.
a year. leaving his secretary. SIT Charle
Bagot. as charge d'aTaires. No ministe
was appointed until August 16. 1920. whei
&c VIE EWDOTNT