The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-12-19
AMBASSADOR REID
DIES IN LONDON
Pulmonary Trouble Proves Fat.
al to American Representa-
tive at Court of st. James.

Washington, Dec. 17.-President Taft
has announced through Secretary
Hilles that the post of ambassador to
Great Britain, made vacant by the
death of Whitelaw Reid, will not be
filled by him. This announcement fol-
lowed a conference between the presi-
dem and Secretary Knox.
Several reasons We're given for the
presidents decision. He believes that
the important diplomatic questions m
yolving Great Britain and the United
Sttaes can be handled successfully in
Washington by Mr.. Knox and James
Bryce, the British ambassador. He I'M
der stands that Pr~esident-elect Wilson
is also considering a man for the Lon
don post and does not wish to appoint
someone who can serve at best for only
a few months.
The president had first been inclined
to make an appointment. but delibera-
ton with Mr.. Knox brought a decision
to the contrary.
The post at London will now be va
cant until March and it will be the first
time in many years that the United
States has been without an ambassador
in London.
Whitelaw Reid was in his 10Th year,
having been born in 1S47 In Xenia,
Ohio. He became a newspaper writer
as a young man and never broke off
his connection with the, public press.
He was editor in chief of the New
York Tribune for many years, and aft
erward became proprietor Of that
journal. In the meantime, however,
his career had been a varied one. He
served in the first campaigns OF the
civil war in 1861 and then as war cor
respondent, in which capacity he was
present at many of the important bat
ties. AT one time he vas librarian of
the House of REPRESENTATIVES; at an
other he was a cotton planter in Louis
lana.
Long Diplomatic Career.
Later in life he went into the diplo-
matte service n went to France as
United States minister in 1889, re-
naming until 1892. During that per-
iod he did some important diplomatic
work in securing the resembling of the
decree prohibiting the Importation of
American meats into France. and also
in negotiating the reciprocity and ex-
tradition treaties between the United
States and France.
He anne back to the United States
to run as the republican candidate for
vice president or the ticket with Pres
ident Harrison.
Some years later, in 1897, he was sent
as special ambassador to Great Brit
Va " alleli lllS CeleDIdLiOH OIL Tic
diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria.
His next important work was. as
special commissioner to the Paris con-
ference which negotiated peace between
the United States and Spain.
In 1902 he was again appointed
special ambassador to Great Britain
for the coronation of King Edward VII,
with whom he was always on the most
friendly terms.
Succeeded Joseph choate.
He was chosen in March, 1905 Uni
ted States ambassador to Great Brit
ain in succession to JosepniH. Choate
Since that date his popularity in Eng
land, which vas always very great
augmented from year to year, for he
identified himself with all the social
educational and other movements OF
the united kingdom. He was chosen
on many occasions as a speaker at the
inaugural ceremonies of great public
institutions and vas a great favorite
owing to his profound knowledge OF
English history. He had always been
q student of English life, probably hav-
ing inherited his knowledge on this
subject from his parents, who de-
scended from the Scottish covenanters
Whitelaw Reid married in 1SS.
Elizabeth Mills, daughter of the late
Darius ogden Mills of New York. His
son Ogden Mills Reid is president O.
the Tribune association and managing
editor of the Tribune. Fills daughter
Jean, is the wife of the Hon. Johr
Hubert Ward, equerry in waiting tc
Queen Alexandra.