14 AUGUST 1936, Page 2

The New German Ambassador The appointment of Herr von Ribbentrop

as German Ambassador in London is in accordance with expecta- tions, and, it may be added, with the general desire in this country. The long delay in the choice of a successor to Herr von Hoesch is explained by the fact that the vacation by Herr von Ribbentrop of the post he already holds as " Ambassador-at-Large " creates certain pror- blems which have had to be dealt with before the London appointment could be made definite. That may quite well be ; the co-ordinations and contradictions existing between the various personages and organisations con- cerned with German foreign policy_ are beyond normal comprehension. But the supreme position held by Herr Hitler, the close personal relationship that has long existed between the new Ambassador and the Fiihrer, and the strong desire which both are known to entertain for a better Anglo-German understanding, all make the nomination of Herr von Ribbentrop appropriate and welcome. The decision- whether the chief dip- lomatic posts -should be given to professional- diplo- matists or to party men is Germany's own affair. By far the most successful British Ambassador in Berlin since the War, Lord D'Abernon, was not a diplomatist by career'.

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