The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-22
WILLIAM M'COMDS
DECLINES FRENCH
AMBASSAD0RSH|P
Issues Statement Formally
Refusing Diplomatic
Position
TO DEVOTE HIMSELF
TO PR4sr ICE OF LAW
President Sasss That Eliot viii
Accept 20 sh Enthusiastically.
Desi'.<sS Of Filling Position
% Immediately

washin- !. March 21-willam r. Nc
tional committee, tonight issued a state
ment announcing that he had declined to
become ambassador to France. The state
ment was as follows:
To-day I communicated to the Presi-
dent my final decision as to the very
great honor he has done me in rendering
me the Enthusiastically to France. with
assurances of my profound appreciation.
No public position within his gift could
be more attractive to me personally. In
view of its very great dignity and i'm
portance, | have naturally weighed the
matter with much care.
After reconsidering the tender the
same motives as We're in my mind before,
have inpelled me to decline. The ac-
ceptance of the post would involve great
er sacrifices than l should make. l do
not feel that L can afford to leave my
life work--the practice of the law.
feel compelled to devote myself to my
personal affairs and at the same time,
| will lend any assistance In my power
that will contribute to the success of
the democratic administration and the
democratic party.
Mr.. McCombs has seen the President
tWltt duflnB ti6 udy anu tDniSIl WAS III
conference with Secretary Tumulty at the
executive offices until nearly midnight
when he returned to his hotel and is
sued the statement.
President Wilson is making an effort to
fill the more important diplomatic posts
before the extra session of Congress be-
gins, so that he may otherwise devote
his energies when the time for legislation
arrives.
The President is desirous of filling the
American embassy at London as quickly
as possible and is said to be ia hopes that
Charles W. Eliot. former president OF
Harvard, would accept.
Whether William f. McCombs, the dem
ooratic national chairman. will be ambas-
sador to France is still an open question.
MIR Mccombs had long talk with the
President early today and was at the
White House again tonight, but made no
announcement as to the cause of his visit.
George W. Guthrie, former mayor of
Pittsburg, and democratic state chair
man in Pennsylvania, has been chosen 70
be ambassador to Mexico, but it is likely
that an announcement will be deferred
until the state department formulates its
policy with regard to recognition of the
Huerta government.
1t is certain, however, that the resigna-
tion of Henry Lane Wilson, the present
ambassador to Mexico, which has been
submitted, VIII be accepted.
That Prof. Henry Burchard Fine OF
Princeton university can be ambassador
to Germany if he chooses was learned
from callers at the White House today.
For the ambassadorships to Italy, Aus
tria, Brazil, Russia, Turkey and Japan,
no definite selections have been made,
though Justice James W. Gerard of New
York, August Thomas, Thomas Nelson
Page, Seth Low and William Church Os-
born are still being prominently mem
toned in this connection
II is likely that John w. Garrett will
continue as minister to Argentina, and
Maurice Francis Egan as minister to Den
mark.
Joseph p. Willard of Virginia, Thomas
Fl. Birch of New Jersey, and Frederick G.
Penheld of New York are also regarded
as certain to be minister in the foreign
service.
Sends Coincidence to Constantine
President Wilson late in the day stnt
the following message to King Con-
stantine of Greece:
..Irpon this sad occasion, on the death
of your illustrious father, | extend heart
felt sympathy and l wish to express the
earnest sympathy for you beneficiently in
reigning and also prosperity, extend the
assurances of my highest regard and good
Wishes" l
President wilson received the loiioWlB
cablegram today from Olga, Queen OF
Greece:
81 beg you to accept and transmit to.
the government and people of the United
States the Greek nations, my family and
my own sincerest thanks for your heart
felt sympathy in our most crushing
grief"
President Wilson was in his office early.
He said he was entirely recovered of his
slight indispostion of the last few days.
Representative Underwood brought for
mer Representative, Nicholas Longworth
of Ohio to pay his respects to the Pres.
ident.
William f. McCombs was the first of
the Presidents engagements The Presi-
dent has arranged to meet all the WASH
ington correspondents tomorrow after
noon at 2:90 O'Clock in the east room of
the White House to have, as the Presi-.
dent puts it, "a heart to heart talk.