PARIS EMBASSY

Southland Times, Issue 20417, 21 February 1928, Page 7

PARIS EMBASSY

NEW APPOINTMENT SIR WILLIAM TYRRELL SELECTED UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF PRESS (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Rugby, February 18. The Times expresses satisfaction at the news published this morning that Lord Crewe has notified the French Government of the intention of the British Government to appoint Sir William Tyrrell as his successor as British Ambassador in Paris. It is expected that an official announcement will be made as soon as the French Government have formally accepted the appointment. The transference of Sir William Tyrrell to the Paris Embassy is likely to take place during the summer. It is understood that Sir Ronald Lindsay, British Ambassador at Berlin, will succeed Sir W. Tyrrell at the Foreign Office. Lord Crewe’s ambassadorship has lasted five eventful years, during which he has played >a part, in many important and intricate post-war problems. The period includes the later stages of the reparation controversy and Ruhr occupation, and the question of the establishment of the Dawes plan of reparations for the Locarno treaties in the inter-Allied debt settlement negotiations. The Paris Embassy has naturally been one of the chief links between the British and French governments on these issues.

Sir W. Tyrrell has been for nearly three years permanent Under-Secretary, having succeeded to that influential post on the death of Sir Eyre Crowe. The Times says that as chief assistant to the Foreign Secretary he has played a very active part in recent international developments, and his breadth of view and the soundness of his judgment on a rapid succession of intricate questions have been widely recognised.

Sir Ronald Lindsay, who is a son of the sixth Earl of Crawford, has held a number of diplomatic appointments at, foreign capitals, including St. Petersburg, Teheran, The Hague, Cairo, Washington, and Paris. He was additional Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office from 1921 to 1924, after which he was British representative in Constantinople before his appointment in 1925 as British Ambassador to Berlin.

Commenting on Sir William Tyrrell’s appointment the Paris Matin to-day said: “The choice could not be a more flattering one to France. The success of such an eminent diplomatist is assured for his fine character, his perfect understanding of France and the French people, together with the fact that he was one of the prime movers of the Entente Cordiale, are known to all.”

Newspapers stress that Sir W. Tyrrell’s appointment is a delicate compliment to France since it is rare for a permanent Under-Secretary of State to be asked to take any ambassadorial post. The Observer says: “Sir W. Tyrrell’s choice commands approval at Home and abroad.” and adds: “Now more than ever Paris is the nodical point of European diplomacy and the task which confronts the Ambassador to France is of so special a character that the post has twice in recent years been filled from outside professional ranks. To-day the condition of the Continent is easier but it is not yet easy. It gives the fullest scope for patient and tactful comprehensiveness of view proper to a diplomat.”

The French Press has given the appointment. a unanimous and cordial welcome.— British Official Wireless.