The Washington herald., 1906-11-08
DURAND WILL RETIRE
Ambassador from Great Brit
ain to Seek Long Rest.
ANXIOUS TO LEAVE SERVICE
Entered Diplomatic Service of His
Country Thirty-fOur Years Ago and
Has Been Abroad Nearly All the
Tfme-Suceessor to Assume Charge
of Embassy Next March.

Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, Ambassa-
dor OF Great Britain to the United States.
viii retire from his mission In Washing
ton next spring. His successor. not now
chosen, will come to Washington TO take
charge Of the Embassy about March l.
The Ambassador told Secretary Root OF
his coming retirement yesterday after
noon.
As far as can be learned Sir Mortimer
Is not leaving his post here for any other
position, and after his return 70 England
he will probably be out Of public life en-
tirely. He entered the British diplo-
matte service IN 1879, when he was
sent 70 Persia During the entire period
between then and now the Ambassador
has been on foreign service for his gov
ernment with the exception OF about one
year.
Came Here in 1908.
He has been back 20 England for
month or two occasionally. but for the
last thlrty-four years he has spent prac-
tically all Of his time abroad. lie came
70 the United States as his sovereign s
personal representative in 1893, succeeding
Sir Michael Herbert, who died while on
duty here.
The Ambassador feels keenly the neces-
sity Of his departure. and is sorry to go
In confirming the report that he is 10
retire. he said last evening;
Il am indeed very and most sincerely
sorry 10 leave this country. I have many
dear friends here, and I have enjoyed
my time here greatly.
Household Is Popular.
There is perhaps no more popular dip
lomatic household in Washington than
that of the British Embassy. and the de-
parture Of the Ambassador will be un-
welcome TO many, both in official ana
social life.
Came Here from Madrid.
The Ambassador came 70 Washington
from Madrid. where he was Ambassador
and Consul General He soon became
one Of the most prominent diplomats in
this city.
He was on the most friendly terms with
the late Secretary of State John Hay as
well as with Mr. Root Secretary Hays
successor, and during his period of duty
here the relations between the United
States and Great Britain have been most
cordial. and the many questions which
have come up between the two nations
have been settled without the slightest
friction. In England the Ambassadorship
70 the United States is considered one of
the most important OF all the foreign
positions. and the successor of the Am
bassador will doubtless be man of high
rank.
Familiar With America,
There is probably no foreigner in Wash
ington who IS more familiar with America
than the retiring British diplomat He
has always followed political questions
very closely. knows most OF the public
men intimately, and can reach conclu-
sions as to what the effect of Hearst's
election as governor Of New York would
have had upon the next Presidential cleo
ton as well as most natives.
The Ambassador presented his creden-
tials TO the President cn December >
1903. From 1900 to 1913 he was in Madrid.
He entered the foreign service Of Great
Britain when ne entered the Bengal Civil
Service, in 1913. He was sent to Persia
as minister HIS career thenceforth was
brilliant In 1879 he was political secre-
tary 10 Sir f, now Earl. Roberts, during
the Kabul campaign. For ten years, from
1851 to 1894, he was foreign secretary in
India. In 1898 he conducted a mission TO
the Ameer of Afghanistan. From 1894 TO
1900, he was minister at TeheTan. From
there he went to Madrid, and thence to
the United States.
Following so closely Oh the resignation
CT Baron Mayor des Planches. of Italy.
and Senor don Joaquin Casasss, of Mex
leo. this third important change in less
than six weeks presents an unusual con
dition in diplomatic life. where heretofore
a resignation from an Ambassadorshtp
was unknown IN America, although oc-
casiOnally to be met with in European
capitals
The Jereissuti collection of rich
Oriental Carpets and Rugs AT the Wash
ingtOn Art Galleries I4Uy II st. should be
seen by every ConnOiSseur and rug buyer
IN Washington The sale begins to-day 1T
u am. Rooms comfortable and seats pro-
Z. IL . -