Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-11
The Dawes Ambassad orship.

PRESIDENT HO0VerS latest mn0VaCl0n,
the selection of Charles Gates Dawes
to be American Ambassador to Great
Britain, Is notable In one distinguished
respect. apart from the envoy-desig-
mates identity 1t solves the problem
Of what to do with former Vice Presi-
dents. Also it breaks new ground in
the direction of preserving q late occu-
pant of that exhalted post from unde-
served oblivion.
As Uncle Sans representative at the
Court of st. James. Gen. Dawes is likely
to be a far more conspicuous figure
than conditions permit the presiding
officer of the United States Senate to
be. The opportunity for national-and,
of course, Observation-Disclosures viii be
immeasurably wider.
The man with the undressing pipe
Is understood to have accepted without
hesitation the proifer Of our blue ribbon
diplomatic mission. All who know Gen.
Dawes will understand his readiness
to undertake it. The London embassy
appeals to him because never in its
long existence has it provided 30 mo-
mentous an opportunity for construc-
tive achievement It offers a field for
man who can do things. Dawes
measures up to that description. No
American OF his stature is less content
with a decorative job than the virile
Illinoisan Four years Of Senate rostrum
ennui can only have whetted his zest
| for activity in public affairs.
London is Gen. Dawes chance. It
is his chance because Anglo-American
relations, nominally cordial and un-
doubtedly friendly in essence, are in
fact undergoing a certain strain which
is in danger of becoming chronic. The
inability of the two governments to
reconcile divergent views on details Of
naval strength is the fly in the ONT
ment.
The common sense which is also the
common heritage of British and Ameri-
can craftsmanship has thus far pre-
vented naval differences from reaching
the acrimonious stage, at least so far
as official contacts are concerned. But
1t Is known of all men, on both sides
of the Atlantic, that the situation Is
saturated with bitterness and mutual
suspicion. As far as the American pub
lie is aware, no bold, broad-gauge at
tempt is being made to quench these
inflammable imponderables.
Gen. Dawes has given public express
sion to his views on this paramount
issue in Anglo American relations. They
are set forth in the news columns of
today's Evening Star. As in almost
everything our future London Ambas-
sador says. they are arresting and to
the point. He sets forth that, having
agreed at the Washington conference
on "the principle of equality" 1t is ''un-
thinkabIe" that the British and Ameri-
can governments should burden their
respective peoples with the cost Of re-
newed competition in naval building.
In another direction Gen. Dawes
points q warning finger. He strongly
indicates that experts" are primarily
to blame for the failure of the two
countries in the realm Of naval agree
ment. The Ambassador o-be mani
festly feels that it is field for states
men, rather than admirals. The citi-
zens Of the United States contemplate
with satisfaction and hope the assign
ment Of the chief architect Of the
Dawes plan to the task of removing the
gunpowder from the Anglo-American
situation.
If he helps to do that. he will deserve
a tablet in Westminster Abbey and an
enduring place in the hearts and his
tory Of his own people.