AMERICAN EMBASSY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 473, 3 April 1909, Page 5

AMERICAN EMBASSY.

MR. REID RETIRES. HARVARD EX-PRESIDENT SUCCEEDS. DR. O. W. ELIOT. (EY TELEOItAI'II—riiEES ASSOCIATION—COrVIiIGIIT.) 'London, April 1. Dr. C. Wjj-Eliot, ex-president of Harvard University,' has boon nominated to succeed the Hon. Whitelaw Kcid as United States Ambassador to Great Britain, THE RETIRING MINISTER. Mr. Whitelaw Kcid, now 71 years of age has been United States Ambassador to Great Britain since 1905. Since 1872 he has been chief proprietor of the "New York Tribune," and its editor when not in the public service. His published works deal with tho American civil war, history, journalism, and other subjects. He is a polished orator, and has been in turn war correspondent, cotton planter, and Republican nominee for the vice-Presidency (1892). Mr. Whitelaw Reid is a man of great wealth, and ho entertained with lavish hospitality in his London homo. The marriage of his daughter, Miss Jean Whitelaw Reid, to tho Hon. John Ward, brother of the Eorl of Dudley, was one of the chief social events of last year. The marriage took place in the Chapel Royal, and tho King and Quoen, with other members of the lioyal Family, were present. By roason of his wealth and social gifts, Mr. Reid played a part in London aristocratic society similar to that of Mr. Towers, the late United States Ambassador to Berlin. It is noteworthy that both these social leaders have been replaced by men who are mainly distinguished for their scholarship; also, that the substitution of Dr. Hill for Mr. Towers caused somo demur on tho part of the Kaiser—sufficient to cause the United States considerable resentment. Britain, by tho way, is represented in Washington by an eminent scholar in tho person of tho Hon. James Bryce, statesman, diplomat, and author of "The American Commonwealth,"

DR. ELIOT'S PERSONALITY AND CAREER

Dr. C. W. Eliot, ex-president of Harvard University, is even older than Mr. lieid, Ijeing born in 183-1. Ho took his LL.D. degree at Harvard in 1553. Ho has spent nearly all his lifo at Harvard, first as student, then as tutor in mathematics, next as assistant professor of mathematics and chemistry at the Lawrence Scientific School, Harvard. Six years were spent investigating educational methods and studying chemistry in Europe, and tho chair of analytical chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At the ago of thirtyfive he became president of Harvard University and with tho energy of his youth at once initiated all manner of reforms in an institution which had become somewhat fusty, and for tho last forty years his name has long beon identified with the progress of tho university. Dr. Eliot is a man of wide culture, strong personality, and charm, and tho fact that in spite of his advanced years ho has been selected to. fill the most honourable position in American diplomacy, shows tho appreciation with which America regards his long career. His published works include "Five American Contributions to Civilisation," "Four American Leaders," and scientific and educational books.