The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-26
Able Secretary OF State Who Has
overmatched Russia and Advanced
the Interests of Our Commerce.
HIS DIPLOMATIC TRIUMPHS
HE HAS NEGOTIATED SEVERAL I'M
PoRTANT TREATIES,
Besides Forcing China AID Russia TO
Accept the "Open Door" Policy
OF This Country.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal

lomat. scholar. statesman and author, oc-
cupies the center of the international stage.
He was the principal figure in a drama that
attracted attention the world over for more
than three years. BY a master stroke in
diplomacy. which brought him into
fict with the ablest European statesmen.
he has minimized the influences of the Gear
IN China, although the bear still has one
OF its paws In the Celestial empire. and
there IL will remain. Through the genius
of John Hay. the American secretary Of
state. the United States has forced the
open door" for the commerce of the world
The success OF the open door" policy
of the United States Is not the only dipIo-
matte triumph OF John Hay. He drew the
famous modus vivendi relative TO the
Alaskan boundary. by which a possible
conflict between this country and Canada
was averted. Then came the note with
reference 10 the "open door, in China. Mr.
Hay negotiated the treaty which insured
the construction Of the isthmian canal, the
neutrality OF which is guaranteed to the
worlds commerce. He wrote the Roumania
note to the powers signatory to the treaty
OF Berlin, and negotiated the treaty with
Cuba. he forced the allied powers coercing
Venezuela to recognize the principle of arbi-
tration. and he negotiated the Panama
canal treaty with Colombia. The reference
of the Alaskan dispute with Great Britain
TO joint commission was the result of the
diplomacy Of John Hay.
The United States has never sought to
drive Russia out of China. Under the guild
ing hand OF Mr.. Hay this country has
worked with the definite purpose of securing
the open door" in the far East for the ma
Of
of this great International movement, far
reaching in its Importance, was attained
many months before it was expected. Sec
rotary Hay was the most delighted man in
all Christendom when China yielded to the
repeated demands of the United States for
free treaty ports. The formal diplomatic
note in this connection came direct from
Peking. but it was prompted. or more prop
erly speaking. permitted by the Cars gov
eminent. Russia's hand In China has never
been concealed since the Boxer uprisings.
which startled and Mortified the civilized
world 1t has long been known that China
was estopped by Russia from recognising
the principle of the 'open door" enunciated
In the Hay note OF July 3, 1900 At that
time China was the storm center for the
allied forces Of the powers, hurriedly sent
there to protect the foreign devils" who
had excited the hatred and venom of the
Boxer" societies. The European powers.
led by Russia, contemplated the dismem-
berment or the empire and the establishment
OF spheres Of influence" The United States
was not recognized then as factor in the
international game. 1t had attained some
prestige on account Of the Spanish war and
the resultant acquisition Of outlying terri
tory When Secretary Hay sent his now
famous note OF 1900 to the foreign Offices Of
the old world. laying down the principle
winch In the end prevented the partition of
China, the conviction forced itself upon Eu-
ropean statesmen that the United States
must In the future be reckoned with in the
wire-puiling Of international politics. The
United states at the outset would have had
no oimculty In securing the open door, for
It's own commerce In the plan of dismem-
perment proposed by the powers this coun-
try could not have been ignored In a diyi-
sion OF the spells. But American diplomacy
recognizes the golden rule. Mr. HAY insist
ed that all countries should be accorded the
same treatment. Russia combated this
proposition for moro than three years. but
nnally yielded unwilling acquieseence
The benefit that will come TO the United
states as result Of the open door, in
China cannot be overestimated. With the
philippines as base this country is IN
strong strategic position to enlarge its mar
kets In the Orient.
ar. Hay has worked persistently for the
open door In the far East. The result was
undoubtedly FASTENED by the developments
In connection with the Jewish petition. Rus
sla mas no desire 20 antagonize the Ameri
can Republic. her policy has even been to
euiu'ate and strengthen friendly relations
win this country. Recognizing that public
opinion here was very much stirred up over
the hlshinen MISUNDERSTANDING by the
re1usai or the Gear to receive the B'nai
Birth pettion-Russia determined to make
good without delay. China was then in
formed that she was free to open her ports
to the commerce of the world.
The secretary OF state has now accom-
plished the great work which. accordtne 70
his friends. has induced him TO remain
In the Presidents Cabinet so long. Whether
or not he win retire Is problematicaI. II he
does not II viii be due TO the earnest de-
sire or President Roosevelt that Mr. Hav
remain at the head OF the State Department
until the close OF the present administra-
ton.
John Hay has for years been abused and
reviied as an Anglomaniac No more patri-
otto American ever held an office of re-
sponsibility and trust. His loyalty n
American institutions and the republican
form OF government are now generally
recognized by his countrymen. Mr.. Hay is
typical American gentleman, quiet i'm his
tastes. democratic, unobtrusive and an
proaehable- He is easy TO reach in his
office at the State Department as any men,
Der OF the administration. Mr. HAY was
closely associated with Abraham Lincoln
as the latter's private secretary during the
war period. lie Is regarded by public men
as one Of the ablest Americans OF his gen.
Grafton. but personally is little known to
the people for the reason that his expert
ence IN the field OF party politics has been
limited. Mr.. Hay has been one OF the most
successful OF the long line OF eminent men
who have presided over the State Depart
ment.
Great interest Is manifested by govern
ment scientists in an investigation about to
be made by American representatives in
China relative 10 the growth of mountains.
Bailey Wilson. geologist. and Eliot Black
welder. paieonrologist. connected with the