The Washington herald., 1906-12-02
IN DIPLOMATIC LIFE
GOSSIP OF THE CORPS.

Dotn IN London and Washington Is regard
ing the successor Of Sir Mortimer Durand.
and this subject is liable to hold an i'm
portant place until the new Ambassador
is named. Six years ago Lord Paunce-
fote's death made the appointment of an
envoy to Washington necessary; many
prominent men were discussed as possi-
bic appointees. among them Lord Cromer.
then in Egypt; Lord Grey, Sir Thomas
H. Sanderson, under secretary OF the for
eign office. and trained diplomatist; the
Hon Francis Hyde Villiers also of the
foreign Office; Hon. Alfred Lyttleton. Sir
Edward Monson, then about to retire
from his post in Paris; Sir Henry How
ard, British Minister at The Hague. who
married Miss Riggs. daughter of the late
George Riggs. Of this city, and a number
Of others. Michael Herbert at that time
secretary Of the British embassy in Paris
was mentioned, but those on the inside.
who were supposed to know. looked upon
him as too small a man for such a posi-
ton; but his friends, both in England and
America. made a valiant fight for him,
ana ne was finally selected for what Eng
land has cone to regard her most impor-
tant post
Sir Michael had served previously at
the Embassy here, was a warm friend of
the President, and with the cooperation
OF his handsome and clever wife, scored
both social and official success in the
short period between his appointment and
his untimely death. So'successful was his
mission. indeed, that the selection of
nfnlnTnnf
American millions under his control for
the American Capital. was regarded as a
great coup, and that is the main reason
why all of those mentioned as the proba-
bic successor Of Sir Mortimer Durand full
MI these conditions
On the retirement of Ambassador Cam
bon, France followed England's example
and sent to this post NJ. Jusserand,
whose wife was Miss Elsie Richards. of
Boston, daughter of one of the founders
OF the banking house Of Monroe 4 Co.
and later on the Kaiser appointed Baron
Speck Won SternbUrg. who had married
Miss Lily Langham. of Kentucky. his
representative here. It is interesting TO
note in this connection that both NJ Jus
serand and Baron Sternburg are almost
as much English in their training and
point Of view as they are respectively
French and German the former having
spent many years in London attached to
the embassy there. speaks English with
out an accent and is the author Of several
standard works on English literature;
while the latter, the son of an English
mother, was brought up I'm England and
expected TO make his career in that coun-
try but through the death Of a distant
relative he Inherited the title he now
bears and the family estates in Saxony.
Like the late Michael Herbert, Baron
Sternburg is a warm friend Of the Presi-
dent. When he was secretary of the EN-
bassy-or Legation, as IL was then-and
the President was a Civil Service Com
missioner, they walked rode, played ten
mis-, swapped stories together, and laid the
foundation Of a friendship that has
strengthened with the years that have
gone by since then.
Baron Sternburg has made a wise and
conservative Ambassador. and his coun-
try's interests have been we'll served dur
ing his regime; but, despite his excellent
record, he is most unpopular in Berlin,
which is a hotbed of anti-EngIish. and he
IS decried there because OF his English
the Berliners derisively call him. and
they profess to believe that the sole rea-
son for his appointment was his we'll
known intimacy with the President
Besides the two Ambassadors mention
ed, several Of the Ministers and one of
the secretaries in the Diplomatic Corps
are married to American women. The
wedding Of Baron Moncheur TO Charlotte,
daughter of Gen. Powell Clayton, one
time American Ambassador to Mexico. Is
still remembered. This romance began
when Baron MOnCheUT was serving at the
Mexican capital, and the marriage has
been most happy one. Well remember
ed, too. is the marriage of Miss Glover TO
Mr.. Won Swinderen, and that of Mrs Joy
10 Minister Hauge, OF Norway. which
took place little more than a year ago.
MS Caideron is also an American. as Is
the wife of Senior Don Luis Pastor. sec
-ctary OF the Spanish Legation and charge
i'affalres in the absence of the Minister.
-enOr Don BeTnadO JaCintO de Cologan.
who has not yet presented his creden-
tials.
1t is not lately that diplomats accredited
to this country acquired the habit of mar
Tying American women, but far back in
the early days Of the republic this custom
was Instituted; before. even, the days OF
the republic, impecUnious young noble
men were glad Of the opportunity of ex-
changing Their cOTonpts for the good pols
Of the planters daughters. The first Brit
ASH minister TO this country. George Ham
mond' married an American girl, Peggy
Allen the daughter Of rich PhiladeI-
phian. young woman Of unusual beauty.
wit. and accomplishments. according IN
the chronicles Of the day. This marriage
took place in Washington's adn,inistra-
ton. and 1t was in his administration
too. that Marquis de Yujo, the Minister
from Spain. married Sailie. dauebte, OF !
Chief Justice McKean; and Genet. citizen /
Genet the French firehrand. who caused
Us SO much trouble with his scbeuinp
and plotting at the beginning OF our his
tory as Il republic. Wooed and won Cor |
nelia Tappan Clinton, daughter of Gov
Clinton. the leading Democrat in the state
OF New York,
It was about this time that the pretty
romance OF Anne Bingham occurred She /
married Alexander Barring, afterward
Lord Ashburton, who visited this conn /
try shortly after the revolution. after
having refused Louis Philippe. of France
Her father, Senator Bingham, was the
protector and a warm friend of the exiled /
prince and it was with some feeling that
he declined the royal alliance. His OH /
jectiOns were we'll founded Should
you ever be restored to your hereditary
position. he said, you will be too great /
a match for her; if not, she is too great
q match for you.
Another American girl 70 become the