When asked if he had anything
to communicate regarding European
events Sir Cecil said, with a smile, that
diplomats abroad in the service of
their respective governments were not
permitted to express their opinions.
"I know very little of American af
fairs," said he, "as I have been out of
touch for so long. It will probably be
some time before I am familiar with all
the details of my new post"
The new ambassador to the United
States is of medium height and me
dium build, with a good head and fore
head, deep set blue eyes and a grizzled,
gray Vandyke beard, giving a business
air to a keen intellectual face.
He is notof the physical type of the
big, imposing, ruddy faced diplomat,
picturing magnificent audacity, but his
looks betoken rather methods of great
affability, powers of analysis and the
ability to use the lancet instead of the
big stick.
Sir Cecil is most approachable and
democratic. He was a popular passen
ger and a good mixer on the Carmania.
His manner is so easy and he is so re
sponsive that his questioners forgive
him when he talks and yet says noth
ing.
The ambassador is Irish by descent
He is the grandson of Lord Monteagle
of the second creation. His father was
the Hon. Charles Spring-Rice, and In
1904 Sir Cecil married Florence, the
daughter of Sir Frank Lasceiles, who
was his chief in the embassy at Ber
lin, when in February, 1905, Sir Frank
sent him hurriedly to London to con
fer with Lord Lansdowne and King
Edward.
