Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-02-21
SPR|NG.R|CE DIES
At OTTAWA, ONT.
British Ambassador to u. S. 5
Years-Many Years in Dip
lOmatic Service.

Ottawa. Ont, Feb. 14.-Sir Cecil
Spring Rice. former British ambassa-
dor to the United States, died this
morning, at one o'clock, of heart fall
ure at Government House. Lady
Spring Rice and his son and daughter.
Betty, aged and II, respectively. were
with him
Washington. Feb. 14.-Diplomatic
Washington was shocked to-day by the
news of the sudden death in ottawa of
Sir Cecil Arthur Spring Rice, who re-
tired after nearly FIVE years service
as British ambassador to the United
states early last month in favor Of
Lord Reading.
Although it had been known that
Sir Cecil had desired for a long time
before his retirement was announced to
be relieved of his heavy duties in
charge Of the embassy. no intimation
was given when he left Washington
| that he was in i'll hearth. However, Of
fcials here pointed out that he had
been under tremendous strain from
the responsibilities devolving upon him
especially during the negotiations on
the operation Of the allied blockade
efore the United States entered the
var.
1t was known that he rendered his
resignation during the visit here Of Arthur
J. Balfour to take effect at the convenience
Of the foreign office. His retirement was
announced from London January 2 in con-
nection with a reorganization of personnel
Of the British diplomatic service which
also retired Lord BERTHE as British ami
bassador at Paris.
The embassy here was in charge of Col
Ia
Reading arrived this week.
Sir Cecil, who became ambassador here
May 6, 1918, succeeding Ambassador James
Bryce, now Viscount Bryce, was born in
1859 and spent many years in the British
diplomatic service. He came to Washing
ton first as third assistant secretary Of
the embassy in 1886 and was appointed act
Ing second secretary to act as secretary
to the British delegation to the inter-
national marine conference, August q. 1882
After serving for a time at Brussels and
Toxic he was again sent to Washington in
1893 He was SUCCESSFULLY charge d'affaires
and minister to Persia from 19O0-19Os. He
then became minister to Sweden and left
Stockholm to accept the Enthusiastically
here His earlier services here were re-
membered during the days of Lord
Pauncefote. He was created X. c. n. G..
! in 1906.
| Sir Cecl's difficult task here during the
early years of the war in inducing the
American government to accept with
equanimity the oppressive regulations Of
the entente blockade was looked upon
as an unusual achievement. What diplo-
mats regard as some of the most ingen-
ious and remarkable state papers in the
history of foreign intercourse found their
origin in the British embassy here in sup
port of the policies resorted to meet Ger
manys disregard of the established rules
Of warfare.
| President Wilson was informed formally
of the death of the late ambassador in a
telegram from the Duke of Devonshire.
governor.general of Canada. He sent this
reply:
His Grace, the Duke of Devonshire.
OTTAWA, Canada:
MAY / not thank you earnestly for the
courtesy of your message informing me
Of the death of Sir Cecil Spring-Rice and
beg that you will convey to Lady Spring
Rice for Mrs. Wilson and myself our pro-
foundest sympathy for the death of her
husband whom we had come to esteem as
friend and admire as man and for
whose loss we personally grieve.
| WOODROW WILSON"