The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-27
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@~~%~SE gratuiated on the appoin,ment of James Bryce as the Ambassador from Great Britain to the United states. We have no criticisms to make on the present Ambassador. Sir Morti1 1er Durand, or on tho reasons for his recall It has been intimated. or rather asserted. that there is woman in the case: not that there has been anything criminal or scandalous, but 1t is vnarged that the enmity of Lady Town.y to the Durands is at the bottom of The trouble. She Is the wife of the former counsel Of the British embassy and is said to have been bitter because the wife of Ambas- sador Durand a.ways took precedence of her at all social functions. and out of this bitter jealousy there grew up a feud between the families which ex- tended to others. Tn fact, 1t Is an- point where Secretary Root found 1t difficult and unpleasant to hold Inter- course with Sir Mortimer and that he so informed whitelaw Reid, the Am. bassador from this country to Grelt Britain. and directed ham to SO inform the British Foreign once. This was a diplomatic way of asking that Du- rand be recalled and It was done.
 All this. however, Is somewhat aside from the subject. What Americans are interested in is the character, fitness and qualifications of the new Ambassa- dor, and in that respect we repeat that this country Is to be scongratulated. In appointing him to such high posi- ton the English government has de- parted from it's usual habit of appoint ing nobIemen or noted dIpIomatists to such important position.
 In this case 1t has gone outside these ranks and selected a man who Is most largely known as ar av .hor. It Is true that he now holds the position as chief secretary for Ireland in the Campbell Zimmerman Cabinet. It Is true that the statement is made that he has not been a decided success in his present position. but that Is not to be won dered at nor Is 1t 10 his detrlment
 
 English cabinet position who could please both England and Ireland? TaI- leyrsnd himself would hardly do that, or might fail entirely.
 Mir. Bryce has won fame as an au- thor and is best known on this side of the water for his work on 'The Ameri- can Commonwealth" which Is regarded almost as a classic In this country, and his appointment to quote The Brook lyn Eagle is very gratifying to the people of the United States. All things considered, Americans generally regard Mfr Bryce to be the ablest Enslishman, in the largest sense of ability. since Mir. Gladstone. whether that estimate be excessive or not. it Is que to the way in which Mir. Bryce has written about this country. In his book, The Ameri- can ComInonweaith.' he explained and expounded thts nation in a manner sat- isfying to our people and enliChtening to mankind. He made nis view of our institutions both pleasing and inform ing to Great Britain and most satis- factory 10 ourselves. tuners may nave regarded his book as fiattery. We on. ly regarded it as truth. And the appre- citation which 1t showed, as well as the appreciation which it here aroused made Mir. Byrce and the United States profoundly friendly to one another His appointment is regarded as a dis tinction to him and as a compliment to us. It is profoundly gratifying" [ It may be, as The Eagle intimates that Americans place too hiSh I esti- mate on Mir. Bryce, but whether that is the case or not we agree with 1t that his appointment is gratifying. He is a Scotchman, man of the people who has had no title or adventltious ad- vantages to back him up but has built up a character and reputation of his own which is recognized both here and at home as of the highest type, and feel sure that he will take rank amons the ablest foreign diplomats at Wash Ington. and will be both creditable tc his own country and of great service tc this