The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-11-11
BRYCE ANNOUNCES
HIS RESIGNATION
IN DUE FORMAL|TY
English Ambassador Expects
to Leave His Post Here
= on January 1.

James Bryce, British ambassador to
the United States, made an official an
nouncement this afternoon Of his inten-
uon to retire, and the state Depart
ment has been advised OF the resigna-
n1n OF the venerable diplomat.
ms announcement from the British
embassy came while the retiring amt
passador received numerous messages
OF regret from all part OF the country.
ana while diplomats, statesmen, and
S.ner friends personally expressed their
Great Britain's representative here.
Inc ambassador probably will leave
ms post here on January l, and will
make an effort before leaving to adjust
tween this Government and England
regarding the free pansage Of American
shlps through the Panama canal II an
adjustment of this international contro-
versy is brought about within the next
sixty days 1t probably means that Eng
!and has no new card to play, and that
me act of the past Congress will be
permitted to stand.
Spring-Ric His Successor.
The intention OF the British am
bassador to retire has been transmit
ted to the State Department, and the
English government Is now waiting
to hear whether Sir Cecil Arthur
Spring Rice Will be persona grata at
Washington as the successor OF Mr..
Bryce.
Mr. Bryce says he informed his Gov
eminent more than u year ago that
he wished to retire. 1t was denied
at the British embassy that the ap-
preaching change in administration In
inns country had any bearing upon
the ambassadors definite determine
ton to quit his Washington post at
the beginning Of the new year.
The ambassador explains that he is
retiring In order to devote himself to the
completion of two works upon which he
has Ions been engaged. Mr.. Bryce went
into no details, but 1t IL understood one
of these books is a history. which prob
ably will be supplemental to his Amer
lean Commonwealth" dealing with the
American people.
Mr.. Bryce retires after five years
service as the representative of Great
Britain at Washington. He Is seventy
Tour years Of age, and his desire to
spend his remaining days at home
and In furtherance OF his literary pur-
suits is given as predominatlng reasons
for his voluntary retirement.
Announcement Informal.
The news that the British ambassador
had resigned came informally from the
White House last night. formal an
nouncement to this effect probably will
follow conference between the Pr. ST.
dent and Secretary Of State Knox to-
day.
1t is understood that when Mr.. Bryce
notified the President OF his intention 10
return to England. Mr.. Taft sought to
dissuade him from that purpose. be-
cause of the vexatious questions now
pending between the United States and
Great Britain. Mr.. Bryce, however,
has fully made up his mind to retire.
Sir Cecil Arthur Spring Rice. now
British, miRister at Stockholm, Is slated.
to succeed Ambassador Bryce at WASH
ington. In announcing his own inten-
tion to retire. the ambassador presented
the name of his successor to President
Iaft. and 1t was decided that an Of
hcial announcement OF the proposed
change would be withheld until the re-
turn of Secretary Knox
Statement at Embassy.
Official confirmation of the resignation
OF British Ambassador Bryce was given
today at the British embassy. in the
following statement:
THE President has been informed OF
MIR. Bryces intention to retire before
long from his post as ambassador. lie
animated his wish to 90 so to his NAL
esty's government in July. 1911. more
than year ago, as by that time the
questions which he came out from Eng
land to settle Qncludlng those relating
to the north Atlantic fisheries. the
boundary waters between the United
States and Canada. fur sealing In Ber-
ing sea and pecuniary claims outstand-
ing between Britain and the United
States) had all been disposed OF.
AT the request of the British gov
eminent, however, he remained In
Washington in order TO deal with GER
tain other matters that were pending.
Mr.. Bryce Is retiring In order to
devote himself to the completion Of
two works on which he has been long
engaged. The time of his departure
has not been fixed"
II is understood the ambassador will
remain here till about January l.
Coincident with the announcement of
the resignation Of the British ambas-
vacancies which will occur in the Amer
lean Diplomatic Corps when President
elect Wilson assumes office. Ten am
bassadors and thirty-two ministers
named under Republican Adminstra-
lions will tender their resignation with
the advent of a Democratic President
This action will follow long.established
custom.
The diplomatic plums are among the
most coveted when change In Admin
istration occurs. and they are probably
the most important gifts in the hands
OF an incoming Executive. Most of the
jobs. however, are for rich men, for
Congress has not yielded as yet to the
demand for adequate salaries for Ameri-
can representatives abroad.
The Democratic House has gone on
record as approving promotion in the
Diplomatic Corps by tests of merit A
number of ministers have risen from
manner, and II was believed that sew
eral OF these would continue In their
jobs