The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-02-16
VIsCOUNT GREY OF FALLODON
Courtesy Encyclopedia Americana)

leagues and the radical press. 1t is
to his credit also that he aimed at Sc
curing an American alliance by means
of an unlimited arbitration treaty,
but failed. His craftsmanship during
the Balkan wars t19l2-l3) contrl-
buted in large measure to avert gen
eral European migration: he nan
died the delicate negotiations with
tact and strength.
During the first seven years OF sir
Edwards tenure of the Foreign OF
flee it was represented in London by
Count Metternich, diplomat OF the
subtitle calibre OF the great Meter
ntch and Talieyrand, with strong
tincture of Bismarck. 1t was ineVi~
table that the direct and simple man
ner of the British minister shoolq
have been misunderstood by miha
of a totally different texture, tnat
transparent sincerely and hain words
were regarded as nothing but cum
ming disguise. In 1912 Count Met
ternich was transferred to CONSTANT
nople, changing places with Baron
Marshall son Bieberstein, who dled
almost before he had begun his WORK
in London. He was followed by
Prince Lichnowsky, a cultured diplo-
mat almost English in manner ana
frankness of purpose. Subsequent
events proved, however, th$t he was
not in the confidence -. his own gov
eminent 1t seemed at the time Eng
land and Germany were successfully
cooperating during the Balkan wars
that the danger point between tne
two nations had passed. and Sir Ed
ward was clearly moving with
strong hope towards an understand
/ ing with Germany. That his efforts
were directed toward the impossible
+ has been amply testified by the tor
I rent of literature with the diplomatic
] history of Europe has produced since
1899 One Of the most instructive
works on the subject, Problems of
/ Power" by w. Morton Fullerton, was
published in 1919, and reveals re-
! markably intelligent authorization of
events before they happen"
Throughout the course of the grave
period Immediately preceding the late
war Sir Edward Grey stroye more
/ earnestly than perhaps any other
/ man in Europe to preserve peace.
! When he handed the seal of his office
! over to MFR. Ealfour In December 191 8
he was the last Of all the European
i. -beIium foreign ministers to pass
from the stage. King George had
conferred an earidom upon him in
recognition OF his IL years service at
the foreign office, but Sir Edward re-
quested that the honor be reduced to
a tlScOunISUlD.
services to the empire was the re-
uarkabie innovation he introduced at
the imperial conference in 1911, on
which occasion he addressed the as
sembled Colonial representatives with
a detailed account OF the situation In
foreign affairs. This step had a far
reaching effect: the mother country
had called family council that drew
closer the ties of kindred and common
;pt H.
server described Sir Edward Grey
as being wholly iHsular in his tastes
almost unknown in society, much
more devoted to fishing than politics.
and that the transparent honesty OF
his aims, his entire freedom from art
ifice give him certain
isolation and authority that ars
unique
In 1919 viscount Grey was sent tc
the United States as special ambas
sador to arrange with President VIII
son certain matters arising out of tht
peace treaty. The illness of the pres
. ident and the failure OF ths senate
of the United States to ratify the pac
of Versa illes rendered the accomplish
; raent OF Grey's principal task impos
sible. In January 1920 he rettFnet
J.. to England. His stay in America ha'
given him an insight into America
, political methods which will enabl
him to advise his government in tn
I. selection Of his successor. Soon afte
. his return, on 81 Jan. 1920. Viscoun
I Grey addressed letter to the Londo,
Times in which he outlined Tor Brit
: ish readers the position in the Unitet
, States with regard to the league O
. nations. Recognizing the misunder
1 standing existing in Europe in re
: gard to Americas position, Grey wrot
. Let us first get rid of one passibl
: misunderstanding. No charge of ba
e faith or repudiating signatures can b
Y brought against the action OF tn
I United States senate. BY the Ameri
: can constitution it is an Independent
| body. an independent element In til