The sun., 1906-12-29
GREATSENDOFr FOR DURAEDS.
WASHINGTON OFFICIAL SOCIETY
SHOWS HOW IT FEELS.

Secretary and Mrs Root aud More Than
100 Diplomats and Oficlals at the
Railroad station 10 Bid the Retiring
Ambassador and His VIE GOdspee d.
from Washington this afternoon Of Sir
Mortimer Durand, the retiring British
Ambassador. was made the occasion Of a
remarkable demonstration. More than
hundred Government officials and diplo-
mats, with members OF their families and
a good sized contingent Of society people,
assembled at the Pennsylvania Railroad
station 10 say farewell to the Ambassador
and his wife and daughter, something I'M
preoedented in this capital.
No departing diplomat was ever so highly
honOred before. The tribute was intended
as an official and personal rebuke TO those
who have circulated reports that Sir Nor
timer and Lady Durand were not popular
In Washington. There was q particular
reference in the demonstration to the state
ments about the Durands attributed 20
Lady Susan Townley, wife OF the present
British Minister 20 Brazil, who lived here
last winter while her husband was attached
70 Sir Mortimer Durand's stan.
The presence Of Secretary Of State Root,
who was accompanied by Mrs. Root, was
regarded as emphatic evidenoe Of the Ad-
ministration's regret over the departure
of the Amba sssdor. Secretary Of War
Taft and Secretary Of the Navy Metcaf
were also present.
Theparty began TO oongre gate half an hour
before the train was due 70 leave. The
Diplomatic Corps turned out in large num-
bers, including the heads of all the i'm
portant European missions, some of whom
were accompanied by their families and
the embassy stats. The party was ad-
mitted inside the gates and gathered around
the car Of the Ambs ssador.
Sir Mortimer arrived from the embassy
a few minutes before the train departed
He was greeted most heartily by those who
came TO say good-by. He was accom-
panied by Lady Durand and his daughter.
Miss Josephine. For fully ten minutes
Sir Mortimer and the two ladies were shak-
ing hands and making their final adieus to
their friends. Finally they made their
way through the crowd and boarded the
train standing in the vestibule, chatting
with persons who gathered around. When
the train began to move there was general
lifting and waving Of hats and fluttering
Of hsndkerohiefs. Lady Durand got down
on the lower step OF the car and waved
back at the crowd.
Among those present were ASSOCIATE
Justice Moody Of the United States Supreme
Court, Assistant Secretary of War Oliver,
Brigadier- General Clarence Edwards, Baron
Mayor des Planches. the Italian Ambassa-
dor; Baron Speckvon SternbuTg, the German
Ambassador and Baroness Won Sternburg;
NJ. Jusserand, the French Ambassador, and
Nine. Jusse rand; Baron Rosen, the Rus
sian Ambassador, and Baroness Rosen and
their daughter, Baroness Elizabeth Rosen;
Baron Hengelmdiler the Austrian Am
bassador; SeDhor joaquin Nabuco, the
Brazilian Ambassador; Niscount Aoki, the
j spanese Ambassador, and Viscountess
Aoki; Sir Chentung Liang Cheng, the
Chinese Minister: ex-Seoretary of State
j ohm W. Foster, Senator Spooner, and
Rear Admiral Cowles, L. 3. N, President
Roosevelt's brother-in-law.
There were many secretaries and at
tach4s Of diplomatic establishments present
also, and a score or 80 Of society people.
The Japanese Ambassador and his whole
embassy staff and the ladies OF the embassy
were with him when he entered the station.
The Durands will sail on the Umbria
from New York tomorrow afternoon.
The embassy here Is left in charge of Esme
Howard who will be Charge d'Afaires
until the arrival Of the Right Hon. James
Bryce, who has been selected to succeed
Sir Mortimer Durand.
Sir Mortimer Durand, the retiring British
ambassador, arrived here from Washing
ton at o'clock last night, accompanied
by his family and secretary. and drove to
the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, where they
will remain until they sail for England.