Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-11-14

Washington. Nov. 1o.-James Bryce |
the British Ambassador u tho United /
States, has rendered his RESIGNATION and
will return to England There has been
n" official announce ment Of the resigna-
ton and the embassy viii make no
statement. bud /; vas learned tonight
on high authority that Mr. Bryce in
formed President Taft of his action at
tfc White l,ous" Yesterday
i; l.; unicrFtood that the ambassador
Hh:rht,i 10 the President the name of
the British Governments choice for his
su c"ssur and at the same time stated
his own intention OF returning home as
soon possible. President Taft. it is
said, requested that the announcement
lie withhold until he could have an o.
p"rtLnity to discuss 1t with Secretary
Of state Knox. Mr. Knox returned to
the city tonight ana it is expected an
official announce ment tomorrow will
| follow his conference with the President.
While the news that Ambn ssador Bryce
!s 70 retire will ne received with deco
rcr;ret In official circles ana by the coun-
try generally. ii is not wholly unexpected.
There has been no break in the harmon
ious relations of the DISTINGUISHED Eng
l.shnan and his government but ii has
been an open secret for some time that
Mr.. ! ryce. advancing in years. desired to
surrender his posi- and give entire atteH-
ton to the completion Of the literary work
which has occupied so large a part Of his
! lite, His book on South America. written
since nj. tour Of that country two years
ago, is just of the press and he is about
! to begin n work covering his recent tour
Il Australia and New Zealand.
F.'CES DIPLOMATIC PROBLEMS.
facing TIC British amba ssador to the
/ United States just now are several Erca;
and troublesome problems and It Is known
that Mr. tiryce's friends feared that If
! he continued In Office NJ this time he would
break down his health and probably have
to aba ndon his II erary efforts. Among
other things the Panama canal toll qties-
ton promises to furnish a disagreeahlc
land unsatisfactory diplomatic task. with
little prosl Get OF being brought to a sue
ce.sful conclusion.
Mr.. Pryces appointment as the British
ambassador to Washington attracted wide
.rrcad attention at the kline t; was made.
lie wa. then n member Of the British
| cabinet. serving as secretary for ll1sh
orrair. In the liberal ministry of Sir
Campbell Zimmerman.
THE Irish question was then nearing
It's most critical stage. and as head OF
the Irish office Mr. Bryce had much 10 do
in shap!ng The preliminary work leading
IN to the home rule bill. II he had re-
mained IN the cabinet, he woulf probably
tav, been the author of that measure
which later brought on the constitutional
struggle in England and led to the limi-
'peors in obstructing legislation from the
Commons.
SELECTED AS COMPLIMENT
The selection Of a British statesman
and man OF letters OF such prominence
for the Washington post was due
} largely to the desire to send to this
country one of England's foremost
public men. Mr., Bryce was recognized
as the one peculiarly qualified for the
post at Washington. as in addition TO
his notable service in England he had
. an established reputation in the
l United states for his brilliant literary
: work on the American commonwealth
: This was not only accepted as a
standard on both sides of the water
but It was looked upon az one Of the
! notable productions of British Off
Ger n book which had viewed Ameri-
can public life from thoroughly sym
, nathetic standpoint. Ambassador
Q Bryce was, therefore. regarded as spe'
cially fitted for carrying forward the
2 era Of good feeling between the two
countries, and for bringing to a cul-
I mination the desire on both sides OF
tho water for treaty OF arbitration
J which would take the place of the
. Hay-Pauncefote treaty left unratifiet
by the Senate,
Mr.. Bryce came TO Washington undel
most favorable conditions. He was giver
cordial farewell In London by thu
. | pilgrim society and was similarly wei
coined on his arrival at New York b.
tho American branch Of the Pilgrim
!, society. In Washington he at once tool
active part In diplomatic work and a
,he same time found time to continue
n,s literary labors. He was enabled I,
wr,te extended additions to the Amer.,' al
commonwealth which have been publish
al since ne came to this country. IL
:, next visited many of the principal coun
: tries of South America. stopping a
). panama for a personal inspection OF tn
4 great work.
HIS CHIEF DIPLOMATIC WORK