Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-15
FIT TIL
9hVANNAHAN
US. MINISTER
Eduor Decided on for Swiss Post
by President Wilson Over Other
Prominent Applicants.

SAVANNAH, June 1.-THE an
nouncement by President Wilson that
he would appoint Pleasant A. Stovall
editor of The Savannah Press, Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo-
Tertiary to Switzerland recalls the
fact that Savannah has already fur
nished five United States Ministers
to foreign countries.
The selection of Colonel Stovall for
the Switzerland post had been pre-
dicted for some time, but the Presl-
dent has withheld all foreign appoint
ments until now. In fact, 1t was I'M
derstood that he would not send any
names to the Senate until he had re-
Ceived favorable replies from the diff
ferent countries as to the acceptable
ity of the different men selected.
Fight for Swiss Post.
In discussing these appointments
with a friend recently. a representa-
tive Of the State Department was
heard to say that there was the great
est rivalry for appointment to Switz-
erland, Belgium and The Hague of
all European places.
Savannah has had the honor of
furnishing an unusually large num-
her Of men as Foreign Ministers. Two
Confederate generals served as Min
listers to Austria and Mexico after the
Civil War; and prior to that time
eminent Savannah men represented
the United States in the courts of
Europe and Asia.
The first of these ministers abroad
was John Forsyth, who went as Min
lister to Spain in 1918. He was ap-
pointed by James Monroe. He served
his country well in settling the diff
culties then existing between the
United States and Spain, and was
very popular in Madrid After his
return to Savannah, he was elected
Governor of Georgia, and suisse
quently became Secretary Of State
under Jackson and VanBuren. He
was a Princeton graduate, and was
United States Senator when he re-
signed to become Minister to Spain.
He negotiated the transfer to the
United States Of Florida.
Stiles Minister to Austria.
In 1S4J William II. Stiles was made
Minister to Austria, having been ap-
pointed by James X. Polk. Stiles was
born in Savannah in 1908. He prac-
ticed law in this city. and in 1888
was elected Solicitor General of the
Eastern Circuit. He represented his
district in Congress in 1892. During
fHfyr41 na "a colonel in the
Confederate Army. He died in Sa-
vanuah in 1865.
Henry r. Jackson was sent as the
representative Of this Government 20
Vienna in 1858. This appointment
was made by Franklin Pierce. He
returned to this country before the
outbreak Of the war between the
States. and became a general in the
Southern Army. In 1885 ne was APP
pointed Minister TO Mexico by Grover
Cleveland, but resigned two years
later and returned TO savannah.
John E. Ward, one of the best
known citizens Of Savannah and
public men in the United States, rep
resented the United States in China
in 1858. He was appointed by James
Buchanan He was the first Ameri-
can Minister to that country and
did much to establish the friendly
relations that have existed between
the two countries since. The re-
public which IS soon TO be recognized
bv President Wilson, is an evidence
of these friendly relations.
Cleveland Named Lawton.
Alexander r. Lawton, the law part
ner Of Henry r. Jackson, was APP
pointed Minister TO Russia during
President CIeveland's first admins
tration. Congress raised the objec-
ton that he could not serve in this
capacity because of the fact thar
Ia, had borne arms against the United
states Government during the Civil
War. General LaWtou received per
sauaI letter from Grover Cleveland
expressing his regret over this, and
shortly thereafter his inability to
serve as the representative Of his
country i'm foreign lands was removed
bv a special act Of Congress. He was
then appointed Minister to Austria
in 1887.
The nomination Of Colonel Stovall
for Minister to Switzerland viii be
sent To tine Senate within the next
several days. Colonel St0vau has
already resigned as representative
from Chatham County in the State
LEGISLATURE, and an election has been
called to name his successor. II has
been known for some time that the
selection Of Colone' Stovail was as
suTad. He is a sChooimate and boy
hood friend of Pres dent Wilson, who
sucut nearly all Of his younger days
i'm GEORGIA. and finally married Sa-
vauuah girl Colonel Stoval was
largely responsible for the vote of
Chatham County being east for Pres
.rrrt Wilson in the general election.
81 lille the vote of the State al large
went 90 Tnd-rvy. cd. Of Alabama.
Colonel StovlI Will be accompanied
lIroa av his wife His daughter.
-e PEASANT StovalL is now in New
E-.r- .- ra--e To Switzerland She
rrp ..Ee arrangements To study in
r-r.-e rriar ro the selection of her
her for "a diplomats. post, and the
NJ trip IS I'm i.r,herance of this
-- n. er her mar. and is not IN
-..f..r. ru Of trC probable appoint
--. .- n.- father