The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-12
Ambassador Pays a
Fleeting Visit.
Walked Up to Kansas Avenue
With a Reporter.
LIKED WIDE STREETS.
Commented Upon the Beauty of
the City.
On Way to California to Deliver
Addresses at University.

Topeka had a distinguished visitor to-
day in no less a parsonage than the
Right Honorable James Bryce, ambas-
sador extraordinary and plenipoten-
tiary from Great Britain to the United
States of America. Ambassador Bryce's
stay in Topeka was of very brief dura-
tion, about 80 minutes altogether and
although he and Mrs. Bryce walked
right up into the heart of the city, pro-
baby none of the persons who saw the
distinguished diplomat and political
economist and his wife. had the slight
est idea he was getting a flash at the
representative in this country of the
great British government.
The British ambassador reached To-
peka over the Santa Fe at 1:45 this af
ternoon. In the special car attached to
No. 1, were the ambassador and Mrs.
Bryce, a valet and a maid and the spec
ial porter and chef. Thlre was no re-
tinue of retainers resplendent in gold
braid and such, but the ambassador and
his wife Travelled with their personal
servants i'll attendance.
When the train stopped at the Santa
Fe station a reporter for the State
Journal met the ambassador at the
door of his special car and was
greeted courteousIy by the diplomat
and with the reporter for a guide, the
ambassador and Mrs. Bryce walked
from the depot up Fifth street to the
postoff1ce and back again.
Not First Trip West.
Ambassador Bryce during the rapid
stroll to Kansas avenue and back in |
terviewed the reporter. At the outset
he stated with a smile that he never
had anything to say excepting to the |
secretary of state at Washington. He |
did say, however, that this is not his |
first trip to the west but that he has
several times in former years Travelled |
across the state of Kansas to the |
Pacific coast. He had never before |
had an opportunity to stop off in To-
peka, but he was desirous that Mrs |
Bryce should get a glimpse of a real
western city and he expressed the |
opinion that Topeka is a typical west
err city.
Notwithstanding the ambassador is |
II years of age the pace he set in his |
stroll from the depot to Kansas ave- I
nue. was anything but slow. The re-
porter stretched his legs in order to |
keep abreast the distin guished visitor
and Mrs. Bryce was diStanced in the |
walk to the postoffice by about eight |
feet
The ambassador asked about the
effect of the primary law in this state
system. He also expressed concern
in the welfare of the people and the
prospects for a bountiful crop this
season. Both the ambassador and
the wide streets of the city and the
broad parking in the residence sec
ion they passed and the appearance
IF Kansas avenue struck them very
,avorably indeed. They complimented
he city on the metropolitan appear
ance of its principal buildings and
thought the site for the city was es-
oecial1y we'll chosen.
After gazing up and down Kansas
avenue for a moment the ambasSado
posted a couple of letters at the post
,ffice and then returned to the depot.
Address in California.
The British ambassador is on his
way to deliver an address at the an
liversary exercises of the California
tate university. At Williams, Ariz.,
he special car will be attached to
rain going through the Grand Can s
-on. The trip up the canyon will be
made next Sunday and about the 18th
he ambassador will reach Merced, |
California, for a visit to the Yosemite
Park.
Ambassador Bryce is of rather slender
uild. about five feet six inches in
eight and his hair and pointed beard
re white. He is very democratic in his
manner and his bright eyes flash
and kindness. His shoulders
AVE the droop of the student and in
lis general bearing he has much of the
appearance of the scholar rather than
f the man of large diplomatic affairs. {
His voice is kind and genial and he
peaks with a directness of thought in /
icating that notwithstanding his age &
e is still one of the big, brainy men of |
he British government.
Both the ambassador and Mrs. Bryce G
ire without any ostentation in their t
his case permitted the husband to i
the talking. t