The San Francisco call., 1909-03-09
CHANGES SLATED IN
DIPLOMATIC POSTS
President Taft Has Many
Picked Out for New
Berths Abroad
Fight May Be Waged Against
Cannon and Rules at
Extra Session
CSreeiol Dispatch 10 The CALI

ISreoiol Dispatch 10 The Call
WASHINGTON, March S.-That there
viii be important changes in the dip
lomatic service within the next few
weeks is well understood by those in
close touch with President Taft Taft
VIII take UP these matters with Secre-
tary Knox when the pressure Of work
attending the first days Of new ad-
ministration is relieved. Even at this
early day. however, there can be as
serted from rumors and suggestions
some possibilities regarding various
important posts.
For the post OF ambassador TO Great
Britain, which WhiteIaw Reid is ex-
pected TO relinquish some time this
summer three names have been men
tioned-Timothy Woodruff. republican
state chairman Of New York, whose
ambition TO enter the cabinet or the
senate has never been attained, is one
OF these. He is graduate Of Yale.
He was in conference with Taft this
afternoon. with Senator Root present.
Dr. Charles Eliot. former president of
Harvard. and former Mayor Seth Low
OF New York. are the other two candi-
dates DR.. Eliot was born in Eng
land.
For the Paris embassy several posi-
bilities are also discussed. Henry
White. now az that post has been in
tfe diplomatic service many years. He
was secretary Of the London embassy
until five or six years ago He is al
most certain 10 be succeeded by Rob
ert Mccormick Of Chicago.
Truman H. Newberry. recent secre-
tsry OF the navy. was offered and de-
clined the post Of ambassador to Rome.
Robert Bacon. former secretary of
state, viii eventually be appointed TO
this embassy.
Ambassador Francis, at Vienna. is
threatened by many likely aspirants.
General Corbin and Lars Anderson Of
this city both warm personal friends
OF President Taft, are talked OF. Both
contributed largely to the republican
congressional fund.
The appointment OF Oscar 8 Strauss
rs ambassador to Japan IS looked for
so soon as the japanese government
has been communicated with on the
subject.
James T. Williams Jr, a Washing
ton newspaperman, is generally be-
1eved TO be slated for a good diplo-
matte post.
May Fight "UncIe Joe"
WASHINGTON, March S-"Suppose
Speaker Cannon and the other leaders
Of the house organization discover aft
er a final count Of noses. lust before
the special session couvenes March Is,
that they are in a bad way and threat
ened with defeat viii President Taft
come 10 the rescue Of the regulars?
or was there really some fire behind
al the smoke Of months ago. when
TAFT was said 10 be dickering with
the insurgent leaders Of the house for
the price Of Uncle Joe's scaIp2"
These are some OF the questions that
members Of the regular house organiza-
ton are asking themselves The last
count that was made Of the regular and
insurgent forces developed the fact on
paper that should the house insurgents
and the house democrats combine they
would then have within three votes OF
enough TO do what they pleased with
the rules of the body.
Members Of the organization at the
capitol today expressed the opinion
that there would be no serious opposi-
tion. 70 the reelection Of Cannon as
speaker Of the house, but they did not
speak in so assured a tone of the re-
suit Of the fight on the rules which
from present indications is certain to
come of as soon as congress meets for
the special tariff session. II would not
be an auspicious beginning OF the new
administration TO have insurgent re-
publicans and the entire democratic
strength line up for a prolonged battle
over the rules. The worst feature of
st would be that it would set back the
work Of turning out an acceptable
tariff bill.
There are many influential interests
that would welcome any delay in the
enactment Of tariff legislation. II is
recognized that until a tariff bill has
been framed and passed by the senate
and house for the signature of Presi-
dent Taft business conditions VIII re-
main in an unsettled state.
Such a state Of the national finances
IS not repugnant TO certain interests
ing up dust about the election of Can
non to the speakership and about re-
vision of the rules with the idea of
bringing on a national row in the house
and delaying consideration OF the tariff
bill at any rate.
The situation with respect to the
house just now is decidedly interest
ing. Some members go so far as TO
call it danger TO a degree" Certainly
the first part Of the extra session viii
be lively. Another thing that is still
up in the air is the proposition with
respect 10 general legislation at the
Impending special session. While the
senate is waiting for the house 70 send
the tariff bill over that body viii have
lots Of time on its hands and while
the house is waiting for the senate to
act the lower branch viii be in the
same fix. There IS strong pressure
for an opening Of the door TO general
legislation. This is not desired by
President Taft, but he says congress is
its own boss in the matter