The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-12-29
OVRAND'S FALL IS
DUE TO A WOMAN
Lady Townley Said to Be at Bot
tom of ambassadors Humi-
Iiating Withdrawal.
KNOWN AS A TROUBLE
MAKER AMONG DIPLOMATS
ambassador Keeniy Feels His
Recall, Considering It in
Nature of Rebuke.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S,-Careful
inquiries among embassies show that 1t
is the common belief there that the
humiliating withdrawal of Embassador
Durand is unquesuona5ly due 10 the
spiteful work of Lady Townley. the
clever wife of the former counselor OF
the British embassy, the Hon Waiter
Townlcy
The feud between Lady ~ownley and
the Durands was a matter of general
knowledge in the diplomatic body dur
ing the whole of the brlet PERIOD OF ser
vice of the counselor.
Members of the diplomatic corps here
believe it quite possible for Lady Susan,
through her high connections with the
royal family. to have so poisoned the
mind of the King against Sir Henry as
TO bring about his recall
Mrs. George keppel, the close friend
of King Edward, IS one Of the few who
have been spared by Lady Susan S
caustic wit and is her most intimate
friend. II is believed at the embassies
that Lady Townley has found IN Mrs.
Keppel an able aid and that together
they have secured the recall of the
Fmbassador IT Is known that any
wish Mrs Keppel expressed would be
granted mt once by the King.
It is understood that the Embassa'
dor considers his recall in the nature
of n rebuke He feels it so keenly that
he has decided to retire permanently
from the diplomatic service, his retire
ment being wholly voluntary, He is
deeply attached TO his work and was
specially pleased with his billet IN
Washington. But for a profound sense
Of the humiliation of his summary recall
he would continue in the King ser
vice.
Known as Trouble Maker.
Diplomats today arc telling of other
incidents in the career of Lady Susan
which indicate that she has long been
known as trouble maker. Her hus-
band WAS once attached TO the British
embassy in Constantinople as secretary.
The ambassador was Sir Michael
O'Connell. His wife was bright and
witty woman, very proud and with
requirements of her position. She and
the ambitious Lady Susan soon clashcd.
The latter attempted to run the en-
bassy, ignored Lady O'Connell, and for
short period carried things with
high hand. Then Lady O'Connell re-
bellod. She insisted that her husband
should bring about the recall of Secre-
aggressive Lady Susan. The Embas-
sador did so, and Lady Susan sought
new fields.
While her husband was on duty in
the British embassy in Peking Lady
Susan also created trouble. She set
herself up as the social superior of the
rest OF the women in the embassy and
resented bitterly the observance of the
rules of precedence which required her
to take obscure seats at dinners and
state functions.
She made enemies for giving her
hand to a select few and refusing it to
others, and similar caprices. Lady
Susan had many loyal friends and adj
mirers here, but she was more feared
than liked
Sympathy With Durands
The sympathy Of the diplomatic body
Is strongly with the Durands in the un-
fortunate quarrel The ambassador is
very we'll liked here, aud it is believed
that there is not the slightest ground
for the statements that he was in dis
favor in the White House and State
department: Social Washington is out
doing itself in the way Of extending
taYors to the Durands, as an offset TO
the stories that they are going home
in disgrace
The ambassador and his family have
not dined at home once in the past
two weeks. Monday night of last week
farewell dance was given In honor of
Miss Durand; some of the friends gave
dinner and dance 10 Miss Durand
Thursday night. and Saturday night
she was the guest of honor at n dinner
on. the President 3 yacht Sylph. with
Lieut. and Mrs. Bulmer as the hosts
The Durands sail for England today