Evening star., 1918-08-30
.PAGE'SSUCCESSOR
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Choice for st. James Expect
ed to Go to Friend of
President.
PHILLIPS IS SUGGESTED
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.


Public interest in the appointment
is widespread. as editorials from
various parts of the country that
are coming in to Washington would
seem to indicate. Congress is keep
ing its ever-watchful eye open. Both
republicans and democrats. however.
are fully expectant that the choice
will be not SO much political per-
son as friend of President wilson
a man in whom he has absolute conf
dence and faith
The remarkable thing is the ab-
sence of names of men who could not
only fill the job creditably but who
could take up the work Of the London
embassy where Mr.. Page drops it and
struction in the many complicated
problems that are settled at the CEN
trail capital of the allied countries.
Boom for Mr.. Phillips.
If it were left to diplomatic WASH
ington. indeed to those who have op-
portunities not enjoyed by the general
public to see how foreign affairs are
ndHQl6u lTOIu u6y 10 o6ys tAS3o o 10
one man, however, who would be vfr-
tually the unanimous choice Of all
thoughtful observers. In every re-
spect, he meets the requirements OF
the situation, and though he rarely
gets his name in print because he
modestly does his job without seeking
attention. nevertheless he is ono OF
the most valuable public servants in
Washington. He Is William Phillips,
first assistant secretary of state.
Honored by Roosevelt.
Mr.. Phillips is one of the few men
was also an appointee of President
Roosevelt. Not only did he serve as
first secretary Of the American em-
bassy in London at one time, but in
his hands as first assistant secretary
of state since the European war be-
gan have come most of the problems
affecting England and France since
he has had charge of the division OF
western European affairs.
In other words. he has been han
ding the Washington end of much
Of tho work Of the American en-
es esasy 4 .aa is one On of
tions Of policy. In fact, his loss to
the Secretary Of STATE would be the
only drawback to his selection. for
some ono equally as capable as Mr..
Phillips-would have to be found by
Mr.. Lansing to assist him in his well
organised department.
Is a Non-Partisan.
From a political point Of view Mr..
Phillips is satisfactory because he really
is a non-partisan. as are most Of the
men who make the diplomatic service
a career. He was third assistant sec
rotary OF state under President Roose-
selt, and after an interim in private life
was called to the same post under Presi-
Gent Wilson, later being promoted to
first assistant secretary Of state.
From a personal point of view Mr..
Phillips looks like the man whom the
President might appoint because Mr..
Wilson entertains a high opinion of
him. Furthermore. Mr.. Phillips is an
intimate friend of Col. House and that
means a great deal toward harmony
in the working out Of the diplomatic
AFFECT our co-beIligerents today and
later on when the time comes for
peace negotiations.
From the point Of view Of stfmulat-
ing men at present in the diplomatic
service to the hope that by merit
dorship and that the days Of political
"puIr' and contributions to campaign
funds are. passing, the selection Of
Mr.. Phillips would be of the same
value as the choice Of Ambassador
Fletcher for the Mexican post not
withstanding the fact that his earlier
afiliations were with the republicans.
Knows London Well.
Mr.. Phillips moreover knows Lon
don very well. He started his career,
In fact. as private secretary to Joseph
H. Choate when the latter was the
from 1903 to 1905 He then became
second secretary of the American le-
cation in Peking and came to the De-
partment of State, first as chief of
and then as third assistant Secretary
of State, which position he held until
October, 1908. when he became first
secretary Of the American embassy at
ysaTa N9naS during % which tim time he was
charge d'anaires on the death Of Mr..
Whitelaw Reid.
Served Harvard University.
Mr.. Phillips secured leave Of alb
sence in November. 1912, and retired
to become regent Of the college and
secretary Of tho Corporation of Har-
ward University, but was called to
the Department of State. by Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Bryan in
March, 1914, to become third as
sistant secretary. He was advanced
to the rank of first assistant secre-
tary in January, 1917. which place he
now holds.
He was delegate to the International
Congress of Chambers Of Commerce
and Commercial and Industrial AS
sociations in London in 1910, and
has represented President Wilson and
Secretary Lansing at many public
functions in this country, especially
those connected with the foreign mis-
sions.
Of English Ancestry.
Few men enjoy the prestige Of Mr..
Phillips in the diplomatic corps in
washington. He would be persona
grata to Great Britain. as he knows
personally all the high ofiicials of
the British government and his own
ancestry was English. He comes from
an old New England family. one of
his forbears being the founder OF
Phillips-Andoyer and Phillips Exeter
academies He has the financial
means to take the ambassadorship and
the personality for the job.
Looking about for the one man who
could take up Ambassador Pages
work without an interregnum that
might embarrass our relations with
our principal co-bel1igerent and man
who could represent faithfully the
ideas Of President Wilson in Europe,
a trained diplomat in every sense OF
the word. with especial familiarity