The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-11-14
], BRYCE RESIGNS
DIPLOMATIC POST
UNDERSTOOD BRITISH AMeASSA.
DOR WILL LEvoTE TIME
TO LITERATURE.
HEALTH CAUSES ACTION.
Sir Cecil Arthur Spring Rice 10 Named
a. His Successor-RO-
turning Ambassador
Famous.

| Washington, Nov. Thames Bryce,
the British ambassador to the United
States, has rendered his resignation
and will return to England.
There has been no official announce,
ment of the resignation and the EN-.
bassy will make no statement. 1t was
learned from high authority that Mr..
Bryce informed President Taft Of his
action at the White House Saturday.
It is understood that Mr.. Bryce de-,
sires to retire from official life in or.
der to devote his time to his books,
one of which he has recently finished
since his recent trip TO South America.
It is said he will soon begin a work on
New Zealand.
Faced Troublesome Problems.
| Facing the British minister to Amer.
lea just now are several troublesome
problems and 1t is known that Mr..
Bryces friends feared if he continued
in office at this time he would injure
his health and probably have to aban-
don his literary efforts. Among other
things, the Panama canal toll question
promises to furnish a disagreeable and
unsatisfactory diplomatic task, with
little prospect Of being brought to
successful conclusion.
Mr.. Bryces appointment as the Brit
ish ambassador to Washington attract
ed widespread attention at the time it
was made. He then was a member Of
the British cabinet, serving as secre-
tary for Irish affairs in the liberal min.
istry Of Sir Campbell-Bannerman. The
Irish question was nearing its most
critical stage. and as head of the Irish
ONCE Mr.. Bryce had much to do in
shaping the preliminary work leading
up to the home rule bill II he had
remained In the cabinet he probably
would have been the author of that
measure, which later brought on tho
constitutional struggle in England and
led to the limitation on the rights Of
the house of peers in obstructing leg
islation from the commons.
The selection Of British statesman
and man of letters Of such promise for
the Washington post was due largely
to the desire to send to this country
one Of England's foremost public men.
Took Active Part in Work.
In Washington Mr.. Bryce at once
took active part in diplomatic work
and at the same time found time to
continue his literary labors.
On the diplomatic side, Mr.. Bryce's
most notable achievement was in con-
Quoting the negotiations with secre-
tary Knox leading to the conclusion
OF the British-American treaty Of arbi-
tration. The previous Hay-Pauncefote
treaty had been to some extent plat
onfc understanding, whereas the pur-
pose on both sides of the water was
to get definite and practical instru-
ment which would insure lasting peace
between the two countries. AS finally
drawn, the treaty was believed to have
accomplished this practical end in a
very large degree. although the ad-
verse attitude Of the senate has to
some extent detracted from his work
Of diplomacy.
Was Disappointed.
Mr.. Bryce had hoped to make tho
successful negotiation of the arbitra-
ton treaty the GROWING accomplish
ment of his diplomatic career, and is
known to have been bitterly disap-
pointed when the senate insisted on
amendments which practically nulli-
ned his efforts and those of President
Taft.
Bryce's Successor Named.
London.-The Washington cores
Dondent Of the Morning Post says that
Mr.. Bryce informed President Taft
that he would retire shortly and dc.
vote himself to literature.
Sir Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice, now
minister at Stockholm, will succeed
Mr.. Bryce.