Evening star., 1922-01-23
James Bryce.


commission as ambassador from Eng
land. He was welcomed as friend.
His appointment had caused surprise
because previously this Office had been
given to men with titles, and he was
a "commoner." But his fitness for the
post was clearly recognized. He had
visited the United States frequently.
had studied its people and its institu-
tions, and had written remarkable
volume dealing with the American
Commonwealth" in which he displayed
a surer knowledge and keener insight
regarding the fundamentals of this
government and social organization
than were possessed by any but the
rare American citizen. Its author aft
erward said that he had written this
work for European reading. and was
surprised to find it most popular and
most widely read in the United States.
James Bryce was one Of those ex-
ceptional men who come now and then
gifted with capacity for almost uni
versal understanding. He was natu-
rally a student, but he was not a mar
row specialist. He was interested and
proficiently versed in such varying
subjects as botany and political econ
omy. He loved research. but he was
no recluse. He was more interested
after all in men than in books. And
SC he was a delightful companion and
associate. He never lost his contact
with real humanity in his studies In
the abstract.
In his five years Of service at this
capital Viscount Bryce-he was given
his title after he returned to London
rendered a valuable service both to
his own country and to this in promot-
ing feelings of amity and understand
ing, to succeed the friction that had
been caused prior to his service by a
series of unfortunate incidents and un-
suitable diplomatic appointments. He
was literally flooded with invitations
to address the people in groups in all
parts of the country, and though then
at the point Of years when he might
have been excused from such activity
en- the score of age he responded gen.
erously and gave freely Of his time
and strength in touring the country
and speaking on a wide range OF SUBJ
jects and promoting the spirit Of cor
diality that he 80 ardently wished to
establish.
1t was characteristic Of James Bryce
that though closely approaching the
eighties he was ready when the war
broke to render service. To him was
assigned the task Of investigating the
German atrocities in Belgium and
France. In association with a group
Of younger inquirers he conducted one
of the most thorough researches
known in history, under the most diff
cult circumstances and into a subject
extremely painful. His report estab-
l:shed definitely the charges OF wanton
cruelty against the Germans. 1t had a
profound effect in maintaining the
fighting spirit of England. 1t was a
real factor in the victory that was
later won in the field. The fact that
James Bryce was at the head OF this
inquiry was sufficient assurance to the
world that its findings were correct.
The news Of the death Of this great
minded, broad-visioned man comes
with a shock. despite the fact that he
had reached an advanced age. There
had been no intimation of illness. He
had been at work on congenial pur-
suits and was active practically to his
last hour. Thus closed wonderful
career. But the fruits Of it remain In
ever-vital contributions to construc-
tive thought.