The Washington times., 1909-03-08
DIPLOMATIC TASTES
AFFECTED BY PANIC
Not So Many Aspirants For
European FostS AS
Formerly.
FAIRBANKS MAY
SUCCEED REID
Friends of Former Vice President
Say He Will Accept the
Place.
By ]. c. wELLIvER.

The keynote to ali the discussion
about reorganization of the Diplo-
matte Corps under the new Admins
tration is the confession that there is
a remarkable dearth of candidates for
the ambassadorial positions, common
~ In great demand. The reason
given is that the rich men, TO whom
these positions usually go, are hard
Up. They have been hit by the panic
and succeeding depression. Their
business affairs are requiring their
close attention, and they are unable
to give the time and bear the ex-
pense which the first-class posts in
volve.
Because Of this, New York. for in
stance, which ordinarily would have
an impressive array of aspirants. is
almost without them. State Chair
man Woodruff. OF the New York com
mtttee. is to have talk with Secre-
tary of State Knox today, and prob
ably will also meet President Taft.
for discussion of New YorlS's interest
an the diplomatic reorganization.
Fairbanks Pressed.
There is remarkable unanimity in
the opinion that Charles Warren Fair
banks is the one peculiarly equipped
y.
Whether President Taft will be dis
posed 10 recognize the significance of
his strong backing for the post is
only TO be guessed; but if word
should come from the Executive Of
fees that Mr.. Fairbanks was persona
grata in this connection. there is no
question that he would, without the
turn of a hand. promptly have a most
remarkable support for the appoint
ment. Those in best position to know
his disposition believe he would not
refuse the place If offered; and they
also believe he will not be a candi-
date for it.
New York has three ambassadors
st present. They are WhitelaW Reid
at London, Charles S. Francis at
Vienna, and David Jayne Hill at Ber-
lin. OF these DR.. Hill is regarded as
the one most likely TO be retained.
chiefly because he has been there but
a short time, has distinctly made
good, and took the post under en-
barrassing circumstances. That Mr..
Reid will remain in London is
thought altogether unlikely unless
the poverty of the rich men should
man in the post.
ADDISON T. Harris
Addison c. Harris, OF Indianapolis
who was ambassador 10 Austria-Hun-
gary under the Mckinley Administers
ton and made an excellent record, is
one of the men pressed for reappoint-
Snent to the service. If Mr.. Fairbanks
should go 70 London. however, Mr.
Harris would hardly be available fol
another hrst-class post. and, having
been an ambassador, he would be un.
willing 10 take anything of lower rank.
Curtis Guild, former governor ol
Massachusetts. wants to be ambassa.
dor TO Rome. according 20 the most di-
rect information from the Bay State
Mr. Guild is not described as a modest
and shrinking violet. He wants the
place and is out after II.
Iowa has candidates for two second
class posts. Thomas &. Dawson now
minister to Colombia where he ha,
made an excellent record in handling
the difficult questions Of relations in
volvlng the United States Panama
and Colombia, aspires TO the Argentin,
mission, and Is expected 70 have the
strong backing of his States deleSa,
tfon. Major s. II. NJ. Byers. OF De!
Moines, who for many years was in th'
= consular service, is a candidate TO
minister 10 Switzerland II Iowa can
not Eet both places. 81 is expected tha
the fight will be made for Mr.. Dawson