Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-08-26

REAI BRITAIN COuIu nave palu ~
w. rarer tribute to the United States
~ than in the appointment of Viscoun1
GREY to be Ambassador to Washington. He
is at once one of the ablest and most beloved
statesmen in English annals. AS Secretary
for Foreign Affairs through the eleven mo-
mentous years from 1905 to December, 1915,
he was in the high tide of world history,
. exerting his influence to the utmost for
amity and enduring peace. When he came. to
direct her foreign policy Britain was laying
aside aloofness from continental affairs. hav-
ing realized at last that she must take part
in them as a measure of self-defense against
Germany's waxing aggressiveness. 1t was for
this purpose that the entente with France
was strengthened and closer relations form
ed with Russia. But in this policy Grey was
anything but belligerent Whilst taking
care that his country should not be left with
cut dependable friendships in the face of
sabre-rattling Prussianism, he was none the
less earnest and persistent in efforts to har-
monize German and British views. He did
everything in his power" writes an Ameri-
can historian, "to bring an end to Anglo
German naval rivalry, and in 1914 he nego-
tiated treaty over the Bagdad railway
. which Germans regarded as in every way
satisfactory" When the war cloud gather
! ed in the fateful summer Of that year he
made most liberal and conciliatory offers
which doubtless would have preserved
peace had the Government at Berlin met
them half way.
Some idea of the terrible burdens he bore
from them until he left the cabinet in the
winter of 1916 may be gathered from the
fact that in spite of his firm physique when
he retired Ibis nerves were shaken, his sight
was dimmed and he had such difficulty in
s. taking food that graver fears were entertain
ed. The phrases quoted are from a recent
. sketch in the New York World by that dis
tinguished Journalist, Mr.. P. w. Wilson,
United States correspondent of the London
Daily News However, Mr.. Wilson adds,
"save for his eyes he is now happily him
self again; l may recall the fact that one OF
our greatest administrators of the last gen.
Grafton, Henry Fawcett, postmaster general
in the eighties, when blinded by gunshot
made notable success of his duties'' And
assuredly there will be unanimous assent to
the remark that 'the American people can
not fail, by their hospitabIe sympathy, to
help a statesman who at this terrible time
has in part sacrificed Gods greatest gift of
vision, like many soldier, to the common
cause"
He will find in this country moreover,
hospitable sympathy with his ideals of in
ternational co-working for the worlds COM
mon good and of an indissoluble heart-unon
amongst the English-speaking people, Wis
count Grey is staunch believer in the
League of Nations, and may be counted upon
, in his capacity of Ambassador to the United
. States to do great deal to facilitate the
workings of the League and to intrench it
In public CONFIDENCE Truly has it been
! said, HE has tested the old diplomacy at
! every point and, to his infinite personal sor-
row and grief, has seen it's collapse in blood
and tears" His plea for new order comes
with the eloquence of poignant experience
! and his work for it will have the ardor OF
, intense conviction.
The New British Ambassador may nov
strike Americans as good mixer. Tempera-
mentally reserved, he has been especially so
since the tragic taking away of his wife in
an outdoor accident some years ago. But
ne will impress all who study his record and
mis- personality as Liberal of Liberals and a.
, statesman of the Hottest character
1t is literally an extraordinary session of
congress-
The profteer would probably tell you he
. is in un1ift