25 NOVEMBER 1922, Page 3

The appointment of Lord Crewe to succeed Lord flardinge as

British Ambassador in Paris was unexpected, but in our opinion it is wise, provided that Lord Crewe's health is equal to the labours of the office. The appoint- ment of one who is a Liberal in politics is a very clear proof of Mr. Bonar Law's conviction that there ought to be and can be a complete continuity in foreign policy. Lord Rosebery and Lord Grey of Fallodon, of course, always preached that continuity, and Mr. Bonar Law has taken these eminent Liberals at their word. In old days a new Ambassador was appointed in Paris at every change of Government, even though the Ambassa- dors were regular members of the Diplomatic Service and therefore not politicians. The explanation, however, we suspect, was not so much that it was desired to mark a discontinuity in policy as that it was necessary to find a good post for a friend of Cabinet Ministers. The Paris Embassy was one of the plums to give away. After all, it was very convenient to be able to give to a friend a post so near England !