New-York tribune., 1907-01-07
BRITISH AMBASSADOR.
Significance of Mr. Bryce's Appoint-
ntent to Nezc Post,
London. pecernner "a

welcome
Saxon reciprocity. For decades the American
government has sent men of distinction IN pub
lie life or IN hteraturs to represent II At ths
Court of st. James's according preferential treat
nlent to England IN this respect. The eminenos
of the long line OF American ambassador has
been generally recognized In England and fre-
quently commented upon; but there has hsen no
departure here from the ordinary routine of the
Foreign Office. When there has been a vacancy
at the British Embassy at Washington n has
been filed from the diplomatic services By pro-
motion in due course. Some OF the recent am
bassadors at Washington have been highly CON-
petent and useful representatives, who have
commanded the particular esteem of the Arnsr1-
can people. There has not been, howevsr IN
the past deliberate effort to select a British
ambassador outside the diplomatic service and
to single out an Englishman OF unique snnenos
and special qualifications America has BEEN In
the bit OF picking out the best IN sight ana
commissioning him. TO represent the country In
en- Anglo-Saxon spirit OF fraternity and good
will Until Mr.. Bryce appointed the compn-
ment was not returned The effect OF reciprocity
In preferential treatment Is instantaneous ons
English Journal after another refers to ths
bassy at Washington tbs most important one
in the diplomatic service. The Berlin press dis
cusses the appointment an incident OF IN
usual significance. II would have passed with
out observation on the Continent IL It had
merely involved an ordinary promotion In The
diplomatic service. whether OF an experienced
veteran or an ambitious envoy with an Arasr!-
lean wifs The Washington post has suddenly
become mora important than Ii was.
There are, of course, rumors that political 81
pediency required change IN the Irish o1ncs.
There is no suggestion that Mr.. Bryce was
either inefficient or unsuccessful On thu con-
trary, he was efficient that he was prepared
as consistent and convinced Gladstonian to
produce an administrative measure on Home
Rule lines: but It was open question whsthsr
the Cabinet would have been unanimous In
supporting It; and It was even more doubtful
whether the Prime Minister after the crisis over
the Education bill. anxious to- send I'D TO
the Lords q modified Home Rule bill TO be over
loaded with amendments and finally slaughtered.
He might readily be persuaded that II would bs
wiser to devote the next year to social reforms
and to defer Irish legislation at least twelve
months; and the appointment OF new Secrs-
tary OF State would be a convenient excuse for
delay. since he would need time for making
thorough study OF the question. These rumors
may be irresponsible gossip, or there may bs
some justification for them Il cannot however,
be denied that Mr.. Bryce. In consequences OF a
years experience IN Irish administration, ia
equipped for the most difficult undertaking
which the government has been considering. and
that his retirement from the Chief seoretary's
lodge IN Phoenix Park may involve the post
ponement OF the administrative bill for a year.
sacrifice like this increases the Importance
OF the diplomatic appointment. A member OF
the Cabinet Is sent to Washington when be is
prepared and anxious 20 so on with Mr.. Glad
stones work IN Ireland and when Legislation
may suffer from the choice OF a less experienced
successor. Mr.. Bryce will also go TO Washing
ton after being in the closest possible touch with
the Cabinets government which has behind
it the most democratic Parliament ot recent
times. He Is not only representative English
man OF the highest type. but he is also pro-
gressive Radical. who stands for q government
making history hand over hand. and Is inri-
mately acquainted with the details % its pol
fcies.
Mr.. Bryce IS well known 20 Americans as
traveller. educator. historian. statesman and
commentator on their political system that any
thing like formal account Of his life would bs
resented by intelligent readers. I would Ike.
however, TO refer from personal knowledge ~
his unfailng courteses to Americans and to his
sympathetic interest in everything that has con-
cerned their country. He has known personally
nearly all the prominent figures in American
public life. and has renewed acquaintance with
them whenever they have visited London. In
variably receiving them with exceptional cor
diality. When he has entertained his Liberal
associates at his house. IN Portland Place, hs
has made point OF inviting well known ATnsri-
cans 10 meet them. 1t was hardly necessary 70
carry a letter OF introduction 20 him. II was
enough for one 10 say that he was American
in order to command his sympathy and COM
panionship. Reticent when questioned about
English politics. he always communicative
and fluent about American affairs. Proud as hs
has been that his book "The American Com
monwealth" should have been accepted. IN spite
Of its candid criticism OF local institutions and
other matters. standard and authoritative
work he has felt doubtful whether It could re-
tain its efficiency and informing character when
the country was changing from decade TO decade
and moving at rapid pace. One series
of chapters he added to 1t In consequences ot
later investigations of the Negro and other ques-
tions. and another series is required tho
world policies which have been forced upon
the country. and possibly it will be written after
the close OF his diplomatic service. With his
highly trained critical faculty he cannot be 81
fervid eulogist blind partisan either OF his
own country or OF America Yet il remains true
that Americans have had no friend in England
either more sincere or more appreeiattve than
Mr.. Bryce,
The chief hostess OF the British Embassy az
Washington will command admiration by her
vivacity. charm and high intelligence. Mrs
Bryce disIkes publicity, and has not coveted
distinction one of the "snlartest'' entertainers
whose doings are chronicled by the paragrapherS
of the society papers; but she has the Old-taSh-
ioned habit OF making her guests feel at homo
and the faculty of drawing them out by
means of her tact and consideration. En-
tering heartily into her husbands work, shs
has taken an active interest In politics and