The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-20
.SHERMAN'S
Mind FAILING.
The Secretary Of State Approach
ing a Break Down.
MANY ILLUSTRATIONS OF HIS.
FAILING PowERs-HE STATES
H1s POSITION IN REGARD TO.
THE ANNEXATION OF HAWAII
HE REGARDS IT AS AN ExoEp.
TON AND THINKS 1T HIGHLY
PROPER FOR THIS COUNTRY TO
ANNEX THE ISLANDS.


man desires to remain in the Cabinet, and
therefore put forth to-day formal de-
NAL OF the expressions against the Ha.
walian annexation treaty attributed to
him by his callers yesterday. 1t does
not, however, change the opinion of
those who know the facts, and ut the
most implies either increasing forgetful-
ness or increasing changeability. Sooner
or later, however, Secretary Sherman
VIII leave the State Department., and
Judge Day will succeed him rs Secretary
of State. -
The Secretary of State to day explained
his position thus: SIT is absolutely un-
true that am opposed to the annexa-
tion of Hawaii. don't see how such a
report originated, much less how it came
to be circulated. My opinion on the
general question of the annexation OF
territory by the United. States is we'll
known from speeches 1 have made at
different times against such u policy, but
in the case of Hawaii, owing to the con-
troversy between japan and Hawaii,
with the possibility OF war between the
two countries, l am convinced that 1t is
highly proper Co take steps for the an
neNation of Hawaii. You can say in the
most positive terms that 1 am decidedly
IN favor of the annexation OF Hawaii"
1t is stated that the President has been
seriously embarrassed ever since the 4th
OF March by hearing through various
channels that Mr.. Sherman's mind is n
wreck, and yet, owing to their long per.
sonal intimacy and his extreme respect
for the ability of Mr.. Sherman as shown
in his earlier years, he is unwilling to
credit this. AT any rate he does not see
his way clear to relieve the old gentleman
OF his present responsibility.
1t was owing to the discovery of Mr..
Sherman's weakness that he chose Judge
Day, in whom he has the utmost conf
dence, and who is certainly giving every
one hero the impression of being calm
minded, judicious man, to be Assistant
Secretary and practically Secretary; be-
cause Mr.. Sherman's repeated absences
and the necessity from time to time OF
his remaining on retirement for awhile
would enable Judge Day to inspect the
work which was going on, and, as AS
sistant Secretary authorize or refuse au-
thority for good deal of it. In spite
OF this precaution diplomatic scandal
of some sort is daily looked for, owing to
Mr.. Shermnn's saying one thing one day
and it's opposite the next.
IaAAs an example of the way Mr.. Sherman
shows his failing powers, it is n fact
which can be attested by persons who
come into dsily contact with him that
II he sits down to write n hitter of any
length, he forgets before lie reaches the
emu OF the letter what subject he started
to discuss, and leaves 1t in most chaotic
condition, either to be put in order by
some one else for him or to 90 In this
shape and bear it's mute testimony to
the writer's condition of mind. Further,
it is related by visitor who called upon
him little while ago to discuss II mat.
ter connected with the war in the East
and who asked some questions concerning
Greece, which Mr.. Sherman could not
answer, that the Secretary said: s'Why
don't you 60 and ask the Greek minis
ter."
The visitor responded: "There is no
Greek minister in Washington"
"Oh, yes there is" persisted Mr.. Sher-
man. $50 and ask him about this ques-
ticn." And yet everybody here except
our venerable Secretary of State knows
that Greece. tor reasons of economy, has
not for years kept minister in the
United States, and has none here now.
Chairman Davis, of the foreign rela-
tions committee, formally confirmed to-
day the statement that the Hawaiian
treaty would not be pressed until next
session Meanwhile he will present an
elaborate report in favor of it, and sena-
tor Gray Will present the minority report
against 1t.
The protest of the en- Queen OF Hawaii
will avail her nothing, either with the
administration or the Senate, She is
held 90 have abandoned MI her rights by
her abdication and to he entitled to no CON
sideration in connection with the annex.
alton of her country.
Some Senator'S who would like trip
to Honolulu are talking of the desirable
ity of sending a special committee to col
lect information about the Hawaiian Is
lands for use in the debates next winter,
but it has not taken tanpible shana