Show HAMMOND DECLINES THE OFFER OF THE Washington May lay 24 John John Hays Hammond today declined to accept the a appointment as minister to China to succeed W. W W. W 1 Rockhill who lisa has been promoted to the ambassadorship at St St. i Petersburg Mr Ir hammond Dammond gave gave as his sole lIole reason rea on for declining the place a desire delre to devote himself to to tho the education education education edu edu- cation of Ma itle children I J recognize that the post pot of ot minister min mm- biter ister to China has bas splendid and that the tho pro prospects of increasing In Increasing In in- creasing commercial openings o there are immense Mr lr Hammond but circumstances do not permit me to accept accept ac ac- ac c the orr offer r. r Myself and nd family ha have lived everywhere c. c until we feel that we Wit should hould settle down and 10 look after the education of the children |