The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-20
RETIREMENT OF MR.. HAY
Rumors That He VIII Quit the
Cabinet Renewed.
A Belief Thnt the Secretary of state
May Exchange Places With Am
bassador Choate-senator MasoH's
Cheerful Promise to stand by the
President Under Certain Conditions

The gossips continue to insist that Sec
retary Hay is preparing to leave Mr Nc
Kinley's Cabinet It may be that he Will
hold on for q few months after March, or
long enough 10 close up certain details OF
the Chinese negotiations with which he is
particularly familiar; but If he does this
it is claimed it will be because his serv-
ices actually are needed by Mr.. Mckinley
and not in any sense because of Mr.. Hays
desire to remain at the head of the State
Department. In recognition Of the saeri-
fee Mr. Hay viii make, it is said the Pres
ident viii send him back to the Court OF
St James, a position much better suited
10 the tastes Of Mr.. Hay himself and to the
social ambitions of his family than is pub
lie service in any capacity in this country.
1t is considered probable that if Mr..
Hay Is returned to London as Arabassa-
dor, MI Choate may be asked by the Pres
ident to take charge Of the State Depart
ment. This supposition is based upon the
theory that under the Mckinley foreign
policy the relations of the United States
to Great Britain have become such as to-
require in their direction the experiences
gained only by intimate social and CficiaE
contact with the men who shape and con-
troll Engisnd's course Il is contended
that British influences almost wholly were
responsible fos Mr. Hay being called TO
the head OF the State Department and
that these same influences dictated the
selection Of IF. Choate for the post in
London. Frof1 his position in London,
Mr.. Choate has been able to keep himself
| familiar with all the details Of Mr.. Nc
Ktnley's foreign policy. SO that he could
| take up the work here where Mr. Hay
might leave il OF without causing a hitch
]
| Mr.. Hay could take up Nj Choate's work
at London and prevent any break in the
| joint negotiations il China and elsewhere,
which the whole diplomatic world IS con-
yinced is being carried on by the United
States and Great Britain IN spite Of the
ante-eleetion denials made with sucn a.
show Of indignation by Administration or
gans and supporters
Another reason assigned for Mr.. Hays
withdrawal from the Cabinet is his
falling health. II is said that his physi-
clans frequently have advised him to get
away from the State Department, and that
for several months his wife has been urg-
ing him earnestly to take the advice Of
his physicians Aside from the hard work
he has been doing for two years, II IS
known that the harsh criticisms which
have been shOwered upon him from all
sources have worn upon Mr. Hays health
quite as much as upon his patience. 1t
is pointed out that Mr. Mckinley has been
only two glad for his Secretary of state
to be held responsible for every unpopular
measure emanating from the State De-
partmeBt, though the President has been
quick 10 claim entire credit for every
thing which has been favorabIy received
by the country. While II is thought the
President viii now assume more responsi-
bility for the State Departments course
than he assumed before the election new
/ sa-Tar II h. -H-E
not now stand the strain Of the hard work
OF the department
In connection with the Hay rurnor e story
is being told OF Senator Mason's advice 20
the President on the subject. It viii be re-
called that for a year or more before the
opening Of the recent campaign Senator
Mason had become persona non grata at the
White House, because OF his opposition to
the Administrations general foreign policy
and particularly its attitude toward the
struggling Beers. The Senator. however,
is toe good Republican not to get il line
when his party needs his services, and so
he supported Mr. Mckinley with all his
might and main Several days ago he call
ed al the White House to congratulate the
President upon his reelection and during
the conversation Mr. Mason renewed VOWS
| of allegiance 10 Mr. Mckinley
"You know Mr.. President" the Illinois
statesman is quoted as saying. that Z
nave always ioNe0 Sou- ana Wnen was
| fighting your foreign policy you should
have realized that 1 was doing il for your
good. I want to tell you now that that
| man Hay is not an American, but an En-
| glishmaD in everything except citizenship,
and the sooner you get rid OF him the
better it viii be fer you and ali OF Us
who love you. If you'll throw Hay out OF
! the State Department I hereby promise
/ you that Billy Mason will support in the
| Senate and elsewhere everything YOU do
| for the next four years"
It is alleged that the President, with
characteristic afFabiiity, smiled and
thanked the enthusiastic Mason FOR Eis
advice. as well as for his renewed assUr-
ances Of distinguished consideration