The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-12
sHERMAN's FAILING sTnENcra.
Reasons Why He Resigned the Sec
rcfaryship Of state.
kansas civ Star

Kansas City Star.
an now In my 18th year, and I think
younger man should be at the head ~
me state department, especially in time of
war. and am perfectly willing and ready
to yield my place TO a younger man.
have placed my resignation i'm the hands
OF President Mckinley" said Secretary
Sherman.
II want 1t distinctly understood that in
ONCE or out OF Office, there is no unkind
ieehng between the president and myself.
Anotner thing / wish understood is that
the talk that the reason for my retirement
from public life is iii-health Is not true. I
have had but six days sickness since I
have been in the cabinet. OF course. am
not as strong as l was years ago. but my
reason for retiring is that l wish TO give
way TO much more active man than
/ am
II has Just leaked out that the admins
tration has been barely saved from serious
embarrassment in the last few weeks by
reason OF Mr.. Sherman's peculiar mental
condition. AS he was nominal secretary OF
state, the representatives of foreign gov
ernments have been at liberty TO confer
with him and even negotiate for The settle
ment OF any questions a. Issue. when, as is
generally known, he is almost complete
mental wreck ard cannot remember on one
day what happened the other before. II Is
even related by some Of his senatorial as-
q
name of Blaine was mentioned, and Mr..
Sherman was utterly unable to recall who
Mr.. Blaine was or to associate anything in
connection with that name. This condition
of the head Of the diplomatic establishment
of the United States has been not only TN.
fortunate but dangerous
The incident which has brought the cues
ton OF Mr.. Sherman's remaining in the
cabinet TO al issue occurred a few days
ago. when Minister Hengiemuller. of Aus
tro-Hungary. called to propose confer
enee OF the European powers. TO which the
pending difficulty between Spain and the
United States should he referred TO this
plan Mr.. Sherman readily assented. and
authorized the Austrian minister to 20
ahead and complete plans for such con-
ference. Having done this Mr.. Sherman
forgot al. about IT, but K happened thai
the Austrian minister. perhaps fearing
such a situation. took occasion 20 con-
graduate Judge Day upon the handsome
prospect of an amicabie settlement OF the
existing difficulty. This Was the first In
formation Mr.. Day or the president had
heard of the elaborate plan of the Austrian
minister for settling the difficulty OF Spain
and the United States. The administration
took alarm and promptly disayowed the
act the details Of which by this time were
very hazy in Mr. Shermans own mind. II
was straightway agreed that such risk
could NJ longer be taken.
An incident tending 10 exhibit the con-
ditions which have led 10 Secretary Sher-
mans retirement was disclosed today. II
is said that minister plenipotentiary. Mr..
SsanisIaas Hengiemuler. called at The
state department with the French ambas-
sasor, NJ. CANTON. who represents the in
terests OF the Spanish government by Dip
lomatic courtesy. and his visit was In con-
nec,ion with his newly assumed duties.
Mr.. Hengiemuller concluded his business
at the department IN Il few moments, and
was about to take his departure when Sec
retary Sherman totte-ed out Into the hail
to say xood-by 10 him, rs they have been
very good friends.
The aged secretary was inclined TO be
efY,stve and when the ambassador re-
ferred 10 the war with Spain. Secretary
Sherman replied careiessiy, but with child
rgse confidence. There won't be any war.
the powers will be allowed 70 mediate the
difficulty.
The ambassador looked his surprise and
made no response. Judge Day. who over
heard the remark ST his aged chief. hur-
r,ed after Mr.. Hengemuiier and FASTENED
to s;isabusa his mind Of the impression left
by the words Of the secretary.
IL ia said faat there nave several such
instances recently occurred and that in
ana ar TWO Of them serious consequences
haxe been very aarfosiy aver.sd.