Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-16
Royal Family Send Condolences.
SORROW OF NATION
VOICED BY PRESIDENT
IN REPLYTO KING GEORGE


when he received the news Of the death
of Ambassador Reid in the following
cable message from King George Of Great
Britain:
1T is with the deepest sorrow that I
nave TO inform you of the death of MIR.
Whitelaw Reid at noon today. AS your
ambassador in this country his loss will
be sincerely deplored. while personally 1
shall mourn for an old friend of many
years standing for whom 1 had the
greatest regard and respect. The queen
and / sympathize most warmly with Mrs.
Whitelaw Reid in her heavy SORROW
The Presidents Reply.
The Presidt mt replied:
Your majesty's sad news Of the death
of Mr.. Whitelaw Reid has just reached
me. Mr.. Reds death Is loss to both
countries, for his service as ambassador
vas exceptional in the closer friendship
that he secured between them through
his own personality. His intimate knowl-
edge of both countries. his profound re-
spect and love for England, entirely con-
sistent with the highest loyalty On MS
part to this country, gave him peculiar
influence for good in his great station.
l sincerely thank your majesty for your
message and your expressions of SYM
pathy and respect"
Condolences to Mrs. Reid.
To Mrs. Reid the President cabled:
Mrs. Taft and extend to you our deep
est sympathy In your great sorrow. The
country has lost a most able and loyal
public servant. Mr.. Reds death ends
one of the most notable of the careers
Of the great men who have represented
this nation in London. He has exercised
q personal influence that was exceptional
In maintaining the close friendship of the
two countries. and he has been successful
in a remarkable degree in the two very
heavy branches of his duty-the one Of
pure diplomacy. and the other the offer
Ing TO the thousands of Americans who
have frequented London during his in
rumbency a friendly hospitality that
made all of them feel at home. We hope
that the thought OF the great name he
leaves will In time mitigate your grief"
Shock to Official Washington.
News of the death of Ambassador Reid
came as a shock to official Washington
for it had not been generally realized
that Mr. Reds illness was of serious
nature. Expressions of sorrow over the
Death of Ambassador Whitelaw Reid
were heard on every hand last night.
Secretary Knox said:
''Whitelaw Reds services made easy
the maintenance of our cordial relations
with Great Britain His wide acquaint-
ance. keen perception and broad knowl-
edge of public affairs. developed during
his career as a newspaper writer and ed
itOr, all contributed to make his service
valuable to his own country and bene-
fetal 10 the friendship Of the two ma
tons"
Mr.. Reds death removes a striking
figure from American political nfe," said
Attorney General Wickersham. Dis
ttnctively American in his drought, he
was none the less thoroughly appreciative
OF ali that was best in European life.
Secretary Meyer remarked: He filled
the post of ambassador to Great Britain
with real ability. and reflected credit
not only upon himself. but upon his coun-
try. His death is a genuine loss to the
United States
Secretary Stimson said: MIR. Reid
deaIh removes the figure Of one of the
old-tine journalists. who has been asso-
ciated with the best in American journal
ism since the civil war, and also the fig
IRE of a statesman and public officer who
has occupied very important positions"