Mellon in London

Last week Britain fervently welcomed Andrew William Mellon, more as a savior than an Ambassador. All the denials in the world could not dispel the fixed British notion that this shy, fragile old man brought, tucked away in his shiny new diplomatic baggage, a U. S. solution to War Debts & Reparations. Newspapers printed column after column about his vast wealth, his patrician manners, his astuteness in finance and art collecting. A modest advertisement that someone with -L-250,000 to spend wanted to buy an art collection was ignorantly but persistently ascribed to the new little figure at the Court of St. James's.

Upon his arrival at Southampton a rainy gale kept Mr. Mellon aboard S. S. Majestic over night. Newshawks pressed into his cabin to find him warming himself against an electric radiator. He told them pleasant nothings. Was he afraid London's climate would hurt his health? "Ah, you're trying to lead me into an interview," declared the benign Ambassador. Counselor Ray Atherton of the London Embassy who had come down to meet his new chief, replied for him with a determined "No."

Next day in London Ambassador Mel lon again received the Press, distributed the customary statement about diplomatic relations never having been better, about mutual assistance in solving not insoluble problems left by the War. Then he answered the stock question all new U. S. Ambassadors to the Court of St. James's are asked: Would he serve liquor at the Embassy?

"Well, I haven't had any alcohol yet but we shall conform to the laws of the country in which we live, not the country in which it is absolutely impossible to get a drink."

Would he wear silk knee breeches to court?

"I will do the customary thing."

When a British newshawk brought up the question of War Debts and declared that the new Ambassador was considered "a messenger of hope" to negotiate their revision, Mr. Mellon, rather nettled, replied: "I don't consider myself so. Who invented the story? I have no special instructions to deal with financial questions."

Next day Sir John Simon, as Foreign Secretary, escorted Ambassador Mellon to Windsor Castle where he presented his letters of credence to George V, was asked to stay for luncheon.

All wise Londoners anticipated that Mr. Mellon would make the U. S. Embassy at Princes Gate a brighter social centre than it has been for years. His daughter, Mrs. David K. Este Bruce, was to arrive next month to act as his official hostess. With him already was his trusted friend and speechwriter David Edward Finley who after serving as special assistant in the Treasury, had now been made an honorary Secretary of the Embassy. Less than a week after his arrival would come Ambassador Mellon's first trial-by-banquet--the Pilgrim Dinner, with Edward of Wales present to make it special. Speech-loving Britishers sat back to see what manner of quiet address had come to them in place of the eloquence of Davis, the enthusiasms of Harvey, the blurtings of Dawes.

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