The Washington herald., 1906-11-18

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Persian language. and by his knowledge
Of the Asiatic situation, for the post Of
British PlenipOtentiary at Teheran, anu
during the six years that he spent at the
court Of the Shah. England enjoyed an
altogether pre-eminent position there
which it lost after mis- promotion TO the
ambassadoTship at Madrid.
Sir Mortimer Durand. who under the pen
name OF John Roy has achieved con
siderable celebrity as a novelist-a re-
nown shared by Lady DuTand, who has
also several clever books TO her credit
is, l believe, at the present moment the
only member of the diplomatic service
and certainly the only one Of ambassa-
dorial, or even ministerial, rank, who is
a lawyer, although the foreign office holds
out special inducements Of financial
character TO those of It's officers who be
long 10 the bar. This had much to do with
his selection as the successor OF the late
Sir Michael Herbert. For Il was teit IN
London that in view Of the fact that not
merely the President, and most Of the
members of his Cabinet at Washington,
but likewise the majority OF the members
Of Congress, belong 70 the legal pro-
fession. it was a distinct advantage 10
have as British representative in the
United States, an Ambassador thorough
ly qualified 10 discuss all questions at
issue from a legal standpoint. and on
basis or law and equity. rather than OF
diplomacy. Lord PaUnCefOte's success at
Washington furnished a notable illustra-
ton of the benefit Of having as English
envoy in this country diplomat versed
in Jurisprudence, and Sir Mortimer has
proved an equally efficient representative
Of his country, and has managed to still
further strengthen the bonds Of friend
ship between Great Britain and the great
American republic.
II win be a matter Of considerable diff
Guilty for England to find as her next Am
bassador at Washington man possessed
OF as many qualifications and Of as strong
a hold upon the confidence. the regard.
and upon the friendship Of the people Of
the United States as Sir Mortimer Durand,
whose rare uodesty. though natural IN
man with so many achievements 10 his
record. has warmed toward him every
body with whom he has been brought
into contact here. Among those mention
ed IN connection with the vacancy Great
ed by his retirement are Sir Cecil Spring
Rice, grandson Of Lord Mouteagle, SON
ln-law OF Sir Frank Lascelles. the Eng
Iish Ambassador at Berlin, and who,
when stationed as secretary of the en-
bassy at Washington, became a close per
sonal friend of the President, who was,
AT the time, Civil Service Commissioner.
But Sir Cecil has only just taken up his
residence at Teheran, as English envoy
there and il is so necessary just at pres
ent for Englands interests in Persia 10
have a thoroughly experienced and bril-
liant representative at the court Of the
Shah that IL is doubtful whether he can
be spared from thence for some time TO
come Sir Henry Howard, now Minister
at the Hague. and married 10 a daughter
Of the late George W. Riggs, Of Wash
ingtOn. is TOO near the age OF retirement
10 permit him any longer TO be considered
a candidate for the appointment, TO which,
however. he would be entitled by senior
itv. More probable would be the nOmina-
ton of the Hon. Sir Alan JOhnstone,
younger son Of Lord Derwent, and who.
for q couple OF years past has been
Minister PlenipOtentiaTy at t'1-rhagen,
a post which has always been regarded
q
and as bringing quick promotion, owing
TO the opportunities which its incumbents
enjoy OF acquiring the favor of Queen
Alexandra and of the other members Of
the English reigning house during their
annual stays in Denmark
Alan Johnstoue, like Cecil Spring Rice.
was formerly attached as secretary 10
the British Embassy at Washington, and
wa.4e IN this country married Miss An
toinette Pinchot, Of New York, sister OF
Clifford Plnchot, the Chief Forester of
the United States and one of the Presi-
dents circle OF friends az Washington.
Sir Alan JohnstOne enjoys IN a very
marked degree the confidence Of King
Edward, who had reason TO recognize the
exceptional discretion and delicate tact
with which he represented the views Of
the late Queen Victoria at Darmstadt
during the troubles between her grand
children, the Grandduke and the former
Grandduchcss Of Hesse, which eliminated
in their divorce. In fact, the choice Of
Sir Mortimers successor lies between Sir
Cecil Spring Rice and Sir Alan Johnstone,
the probabilities being in favor OF the
latter.
Among those who have filed this post
in the past have been Alexander Barring.
Lord AshburtOn, of Ashburton Treaty
fame; Sir Richard Paskenham, Lords
Dalling and Bulwer the Earl Of Elgin.
Lords Napier and Ettrick, Lord Lyons,
the friend OF Abraham Lincoln, with
whom he used to swap the most wonder
ful stories; Sir Frederick Bruce, who died
az Boston; Sir Edward Thornton. Lord
Pauncefote, who died az Washington, and
the late Sir Michael Herbert. There are
two others. whose names have reserved
for the last, owing to the fact that they
failed in the accomplishment Of their
mission, 20 the extent Of receiving their
passports at the hands OF the American
government. The one was Sir John
Champion, who allowed his official posi-
ton TO be compromised by the couute-
nance which he gave to a scheme for re-
cruiting volunteers in America TO fight
for England against Russia in the CTi-
mean war, in violation Of the laws OF
neutrality. The other unsuccessful Envoy
was Lord Sackville West, who, during the
Presidential election Of 1883 was so indis-
Greet as 10 write 10 a perfect stranger a
letter, published by the latter, and In
which the Envoy's views on the subject
Of the Presidential contest, and Of the
merits Of the respective candidates. one
Of them being then in Office as Chief Mag
istrate, We're expressed with altogether
undiplometic freedom.
The City of Great Britain.
From the London Spectator.
Unless we command the sea We cannot
keep open the roads by which our people
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