The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-24
Was Anxious to Have DEM
ocratic Chairman Accept
Post to France
BRYAN BACK FROM
TRIP WEDNESDAY,
President to Confer With Him on
Five Appointments-Oth Am
bassadors To Be Named
Shortly

washington, March 2S.--Presidenr Will
son tonight reluctantly assented to the
expressed determination of Chairman Nc
Combs of the national democratic com
mittee to decline the profered French
| amhassadorship. In statement express
ing his high regard for Mr.. McCombs,
| the President declared that the diplomat
ic service of the United states is nn-
necessarily hampered by the fact that
only men who have time aud means to
leave their business find themselves able
to serve the government abroad. The
Presidents statement follows.
Il am very sorry indeed that Mr.. Me-
Combs cannot accept the appointment
to France. | was particularly anxious
that he should. My admiration for his
ability, my knowledge of his singular ca
pacity for grasping complex situations.
my confidence in his tact and resourcefill-
ness. well as my affection for him, and
the intimate relations that of course, ex-
ist between us. combine to make my dis
appointment very great indeed. But I.
OF course, appreciate the force of the rea-
sons he gives. He would have accepted
at an unreasonable sacrifice and ! could
not further press the offer upon him.
Have to Ask Sacrifices
ut is great pity that the country has
TO ask such sacrifices of those who are
invited to serve 1t abroad-a service which
every year becomes more exactirg and
more important The sacrifice OF time
Of means and of opportunity at home is
very serious FOR any but men OF large
means and leisure, and the diplomatic
service is unnecessarily hampered."
Secretary of State Bryan IS due back
in Washington from his western trip on
Wednesday. The President is expected
to be ready to take up with him he ap-
poirt77tr q men to at least FIVE dinlo=
anae r0 hich Washington observers
egart the most pressing impor-
fsase saAors % England Afexi-
g4o lssa, minister to China
mob fit W be named within q short
The London and Mexican embassies
have been looked upon as those which
should be filed first because OF the pan
anna free tolls question with Great Britain
and the troubled condition of Mexico.
The announced policy Of the admnistra-
tion toward China and its intention 10
keep close watch on the open door in
China have brought the question OF ap-
rontment of an ambassador TO Toxic
and a minister to Pekin to the fore. The
unsettled Russian passport question has
made the selection of representative TO
the Cars court much harder than 1t
might ordinarily have proved to be-
Many Names Mentioned
For none of these posts, except that to
Mexico, apparently has the adminstra-
ton been able to decide upon a man ard
have its invitation accepted. Many names
have been mentioned In connection with
several of them and in two instances.
England and China, definite offers were
made but declinations have followed
closely after.
1t Is known here that George w. ciuth-
rie former mayor of Pittsburg MEETS
with President Wilson'S approval for the
Mexican ambassadorshp, but in the gem
era discussion that will follow Mr.. I3ry-
ans return TO Washington there may he
a shift that would result in the offer of
another post.
DIR. Charles w. Eliot. offered the en-
bassy at London has decided not TO ac-
eept, according to Information here. al
though his answer probably will not he
made public for tho present. Officials
here refuse to discuss names under con-
slderatlon for Great Britain. John r.
Mott of Montclair, n. j., a Young Mems
Christian association leader. thoroughly
familiar with China has slgnifed his uli-
Willingness TO become munster to China.
and apparently the President is stlll
seeking for a suitable representative
there.
For the Japanese and Russian posts sew
eral men are being considered but II IL
not believed that any final choice has
heen reached.
John e. Osborne. former governor of
fada I'm
probable successor to Huntington WI
son as First Assistant Secretary OF State.
Governor Osborne is said to be close
friend OF Secretary Bryan and is demo-
cratic national committeeman from ais
state.