The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-31
Mr.. Taft Tenders Head of
Harvard AMBASSADOR
ship.
REID TO COMPLETE
FOUR YEARS TERM
Educator Expected % Bring About
Return TO Simplicity-Kerens
May Be Named.
By JAMES HAY. Tr.

President Taft this morning rendered
to DR.. Charles W. Eliot, president OF
Harvard University, the post OF am
bassador to Great Britain.
Dr. Eliot took the matter under ad-
visement
When it came to discussing the mat
ter, however. the doctor and the Presi-
dent were not there.
DR.. Eliot arrived at the White House
at $3.50 O'Clock this morning, punctuaI
IN Keeping the engagement which Mr.
TAFT made with him last night at the
Harvard alumni banquet The two men
were IN conference in the red room for
a little more than haif an hour.
IL the end of the talk. the doctor
came out Of the main door Of the White
House, walking rapidly with a springy
step. As he made his way 10 his auto
mobile. he was joined by q group CT
newspaper men
! can't say a word about this mat
ter" he explained, smiling broadly.
When win you say something about
hT' was the next question.
'I can't even tell that"
Is Quite Agile.
By this time the noted educator was
to his machine
when VIII you leave Washington
"I can't say" he remarked, as he
drove of He has an engagement 10
speak in Baltimore, Nd, this evening.
Tho President would make no an
nouncement about The matter. and at
the executive Offices 1t was said that,
as the propose1 appointment was not
a thing 0t the inIL1saIage future. IL Eas
not tine 10 make any public statement
about IT.
Later in the day. however. there was
very circUmstantial report that the
post had been offered and that there
was a strong probability Ci4at Dr. Eliot
would accept it, although he had not
said SO definitely
Reports Confirmed.
Today's developments are the sub
OF reports which have been
in circulation for more than a month
that the president Of Harvard would be
offered the ambassadorship The point
made at the White House today that
there is nothing immediate about it is
founded on the fact that Whitelaw Reid
VIII be allowed TO retain the post for
eight or ten months longer In order 10
enable him TO round out his term OF
four years Mr. Reid has been very
anxious 10 do this.
Back OF the Presidents desire to send
DR.. Eliot TO the Court OF St James IS
his wish that the American embassy
there be noted for its American dem
Ocracy and simplicity. During the time
that Reid has been there IL mas become
known for its princely entertainments
and lavish d1splZy which were not ex-
actly IN favor with the masses Of the
American people.
Affects Other Embassies.
II was also said that the example u
the British embassy was affecting the
customs and usages Of other embe ssies
Of this country in Europe.
DR.. Eliot's age and his simplicity OF
tTing would inset exactly the wishes
If the President In addition TO this.
he doctors scholarship and abilities
would result in the embaSSys being held
n the highest esteem in Great Britain
and throughout Europe.
With the revival of interest IL the
diplomatic gossip. which came today
With the talk OF the Eliot matter. there
vas revived IN an authentic manner thS
-epOrt that Richard c. herens, Of Mis-
souri,, viii be the next ambassador 10
Vienna 10 succeed Charles =. Francis.
There has, however, been no official an
lOunCement Of the fact
Joseph H Choate. former ambaSsa-
1Or TO Great Britain. was caller at the
White House late this afternoon, but
'efused 20 say that his call had any
thing 70 DO with the ambassadorial
situation.