Evening star., 1939-09-03
Lothian Faces Vital Task
New British Envoy Brings Understanding of United States
By Marquis ChHd.

With Great Britain grimly facing
prospects of major war, his majestys
government has sent to Washington
new Ambassador whose task may be
vital to the Empire in the present crisis
The 11th Marques of Lothian has
become the 10th Ambassador from
Great Britain to the United States at
a time when American friendship is
of supreme Importance
In the few days that he has been
here the new Ambassador has seen
the last hope of European peace van
ish. During those intervals when he
has not been comforting with Amer
lean officials, Lord Lothian has been
on the transatlantic telephone. A
constant flow of dispatches from the
foreign office in London has come to
his desk.
He says that he is no more than any
other ambassador-a representative of
his government" to the Government in
Washington. But, coming at this time
and with his background, his mission
will naturally be much broader than
that of an ordinary diplomat.
Lord Lothian has never made a secret
of his belief that Britain and the
United States should cooperate in
exercising their influence on world af-
fairs. In fact he has been one of the
most ardent advocates of a hand
across-the-sea policy. And at crit
ical time such as the present it is not
likely that he will be inhibited by the
ordinary conventions of diplomacy.
Understands American "Isolationism."
But Lord Lothian is realist He
has visited this country IA times, and
understands American attitudes. He
knows what the word isolation" means
in terms of American emotions and
desires. Several times, and once
shortly before he left London, he
warned the British public not to ex-
pect America to follow slavishly Great
Britain's lead. He intimated that Brit
ain should not expect the United
States to jump into European war
Immediately on the outbreak of hos
tilities.
Realizing the gravity of the hour, the
Chamberlain government went outside
the foreign Office to find the new Am
bassador. And perhaps more than any
other ambassador in the long succession
Of distinguished men whom Britain has
sent to America in recent decades, Lo-
THAN brings knowledge of this coun-
try. 1t will be great advantage in
the supremely important task that is
his.
His first days in this country have
been filled from morning until night
Over the traditional tea tray in the
big study on the second floor of the
Embassy he relaxes after crowded
day that has included his first mass in
terview by Washington newspapermen.
On the broad-topped desk are three or
four red morocco dispatch cases, symbol
of the foreign Office. But somehow the
room that is now the study of this
genial Britisher has no official look.
He does not conceal the fact that he
is relieved to have the public furry of
his arrival ended. His intention, now
that he has been introduced to the
American public by newsreel, press and
radio, is to remain silent until his
speech before the Pilgrim Society in
New York October Is. That is ira
ditional first appearance for each new
ambassador from England. But the
crisis, he is quick to concede, may upset
these plans.
His Talk Is Guarded.
About the present critical state of
world affairs he talks very guardedly,
reminding himself that for the first
time in his life he is a professional dip
lomat and that what he says will in
evitably be taken for the expression of
his government. He makes it clear,
however, that the British are prepared
for the worst, having long ago taken
the decision to stand firm against fur
ther aggression.
After ALL" the Ambassador declares,
when a democracy has made up its
mind, then it is very difficult to change
that mind. In this respect the resolu.
ton oz . democracy IL greater than