The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-12
SHERAAN'S MAILING STRENGTH.
Reasons Why He Resigned the Sec
retaryship of state,

Kansas City Star.
AN now in My 10Th year, and think
a younger man should he at the head az
the state department. especially in time of
war and am perfectly willing and ready
70 yield my place to n younger man.
have placed my resignation in the hands
OF President Mckinley" said Secretary
Sherman.
Il want 1t distinctly understood that. in
office or out OF office there is no unkind
feeling between the president and myself.
Another thing | wish understood is that
the talk that the reason for my retirement
from public life is ill-health is not true
have had but six days sickness since I
have been in the cabinet. OF course. am
not as strong as was years ago, but my
reason for retiring is that l wish to give
way to much more active man than
1 am"
1t 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 at issue. when. as IS
generally known, he is almost complete
mental wreck and cannot remember on one
day what happened the other before. Tt is
even related by some of his senatorial as
sociates that in recent conversation the
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 un-
fortunate but dangerous.
The incident which has brought the ques-
ton OF Mr.. Shermans remaining in the
cabinet TO an issue occurred few days
ago, when Minister Henglemuller, OF Aus
tro-Hungary, called TO propose q confer
ence OF the European powers, TO which the
pending difficulty between Spain and the
United States should be referred To this
plan Mr.. Sherman readily assented. and
authorized the Austrian minister to go
ahead and complete plans for such a con-
ference. Having done this, Mr.. sherman
forgot all about 1t, but 1t happened that
the Austrian minister perhaps fearing
such a situation. took occasion to con-
graduate Judge Day upon the handsome
prospect of an amcable 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 disavowed 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 no longer be taken
An incident tending 10 exhibit the con-
ditions which have led to Secretary Sher-
mans retirement was disclosed today. II
is said that minister plenipotentiary. Mr..
Stanislaus Heng,emuler. called at the
state department with the French ambas-
sador NJ. Cambon. who represents the in
terests OF the Spanish government by Dip
lomatiS courtesy. and his visit was In com
nec,Ion with his newly assumed duties.
Mr. Henglemuller concluded his business
at the department in a few moments and
was about TO take his departure when Sec
rotary sherman tottered out into the hail
to say good-by TO him, as they have been
very good friends
The aged secretary was inclined 20 be
ELUSIVE. and when the ambassador re-
ferred re the war with Spain Secretary
Sherman replied carelessly. but with child
like confidence: There won'i be any war.
the movers viii be allowed TO mediate the
difficulty"
The anba sSader looked his surprise and
made no response. Judge Day, who ever-
heard the remark OF his aged chief, hir-
riea after Mr. Hengemuller and fastened
to sISahuse his mind OF the impression LETT
by the words of the secretary.
II is said tina; there have several socn
Instances reeentiy occurred. and that IN
one or two OF them serious consequences
have been very narrowly ayertsd.