Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-01
DEATH OF H|EI.RRICK
CREATES PROBLEM
Selection of Successor to
Require Much Thought Be-
cause of Difficult Duties. !.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The death of Ambassador Myron r.
Herrick at Paris has forced upon PreSi-
dent Hoover and Secretary Etimson
number Of problems in the selection
Of successor.
The Paris post Is regarded Is one Of
the most important in the diplomatic
service, and the new administration had
considered it satisfactorily filled because
of Mr.. Herrick'S known desire TO stay
there, for a while longer at any rate, de-
spite the unusual length OF his distin-
guished service as Ambassador TO
France.
Neither President Hoover nor Secre-
tary Stimson, who. was In New York
when the news of Mr.. Herricks death
shocked official Washington late yes
terday, has had time to give the serious
thought necessary TO the selection Of a
successor.
They can be expected not to act hur-
riedly in making decision. since the
new Ambassador will be confronted with
number Of important and difficult
problems.
These problems include such matters
as the settlement of Frances war debt
to the United States, Repatriation OF
Franco-American commercial relations
now conducted under modus vlvendi
arrangement and the laying OF the
groundwork with France, England, Italy
and Japan for the first conference for
revision Of the Washington naval liIni-
tations treaty in 1892.
Dawes May Fill Post.
The nature of the tasks which the
new Ambassador will be called upon
to perform has led 10 the suggestion
that former Vice President Charles @.
Dawes. most prominently mentioned for
the highly priced London post, now
may be asked to go to Paris instead.
His war and postwar activities in the
field OF international economic affairs,
il is recalled have been more def
nitely identified with Paris than with
London. 1t has not been made known.
however, whether he is willing at this
time to add a diplomatic chapter 10
his varied career.
At the same time, consideration OF
Dawes in connection with the London
assignment has led to the suggestion
that former Secretary Frank B. Kellogg
might be asked to go to Paris.
He is now en- route to the French
capital on a vacation he began with
Mrs. Kellogg after his release from the
State Department last week by Secre-
tary Stimson.
Another possibility, assuming that
this 72-year-old veteran is willing TO
return to public service so soon after
his retirement, is that he might now
be offered the London post, which he
held when appointed Secretary OF State,
and Dawes be given the Paris assign
ment.
Both OF these suggestions are based
on the desirability of having men Of
equal distinction at the two capitals.
Two other names appear on the diplo-
matte list which are almost certain
to be considered by President Hoover
and his new Secretary OF State before
they finally select Mr.. Herrick's sue
ceSsor.
Gibson and Fletcher Possibilities.
One Is Ambassador Hugh Gibson
at Brussels. Belgium. and the other
is Ambassador Henry P. Fletcher ct
Rome. The former has long been
and is regarded as eminently qualified
for the Paris assignment.
The expense Of serving there, far
is excess Of salary and allowances.
might cause him to decline such an
appointment, however, since he is
career man in the diplomatic service
and not possessed of a large private
fortune.
Ambassador Fletcher is known to
have desired a transfer to Paris or
London at one time. and to have made
most favorable impression on Presi-
dent Hoover during his Latin American
good will trip prior to his inaugura-
ton. Indications are, however, that
II he is to be transferred from Rome.
it will be with the idea Of advancing
the Executives ideas for Latin Amer
lean rapprOchement.