The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-25
FOREMOST DIPLOMAT
John Hay, the American Secretary,
Stands Head and Shoulders Above
Living Contemporaries.
Despite His Marvellous Record He
Seems Little Appreciated in
His Own Country. ~

From The Journal Bureau, Room As, Post Build
ing, Washington. : ~. -'r~
Washington, July 25.-Secretary Hay is
probably less appreciated in his own coun-
try, than any other man in the world who
occupies a similar position, and yet the
fact remains that he is, by common con-
sent of those who know, one Of the ablest
and most successful diplomats now living.
In the current Century there is an extend
ed editorial article discussing men of let
tiers who have been conspicuous in Amer
lean public life, and it gives Mr.. Hay credit
for being one Of the greatest diplomats
the world now possesses. But such an
estimate is not In harmony with the pop
ular thought, which has grown accus-
toned to the malicious falsehood that
the American secretary is a notorious tory,
a toady, lacking in statesmanlike quail
ties and insufficiently equipped intellectu-
ally for the discharge of the high duties
of his office.
It Is worth while in this connection to
take hasty look at some of the things he
has done since entering the cabinet, and
to weigh that performance with the evil
dent lack Of appreciation his work has re-
ceived.
1900, and in it laid down principle which
prevented the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of China.
He is personally responsible for the ne
gotiation Of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty,
which makes possible the construction Of
an isthmian canal by this country.
He secured to the Hebrews of Rou-
mania their rights under the treaty Of Ber-
lin, and prevented further persecution and
the immigration of thousands Of pauper-
lied Hebresw to this country.
He is responsible for the reciprocity
treaty with Cuba.
He secured the reference Of the Vene-
zuelan dispute to The Hague tribunal and
100 b. Hs< @F4 ~
like of which the civilized world had never
seen in modern times.
| He negotiated the Hay-Herran treaty for
the construction of the Panama canal.
! He is responsible for the treaty with
Great Britain under which the Alaskan
boundary dispute is to be settled by a, joint
commission. ~
One of the browning achievements of his
| administration will perhaps be the secur-
ing of the "open door, to China.
He has managed recent Russian COM
| plications in way to secure results that
are satisfactory to this country, without
offending Russia. The Kishinef incident
is closed. thanks to him alone, without
friction.
These are few of the leading events
| of his career as secretary of state. They
/ have attracted worldwide attention and
add much luster to the American name.
AS a diplomat and negotiator he is
| far ahead or the president, whose lnpul-
| siveness would on several occasions have
| led US into unpleasant disputes with for
eign powers. One instance will suffice as
an illustration Of this. The president
| rashness came dangerously near to get
| ting us into trouble with Russia over the
| KiShinef affair. June 20, Secretary Hay
had a conference lasting an hour with
/ the Russian ambassador, who assured him
in the most positive and convincing man
4 ner that the Russian government was ia
vorable to the proposal that certain Man
! churian ports should be opened to the
| trade of the world, and that an official
1 announcement of the Russian position
would shortly be made from st. Peters
burg. Three days later, July 1. came ar
Associated Press statement, made on au-
thority, from Oyster Bay, charging the
Russian government with bad faith in the
Kishinef affair Count Cassini at once
! told Secretary Hay that he was Indignant
! at knowing that the president himself hal
been guilty of this act of indiscretion
/ Temporarily, the open door, matter wa!
up in the air, and it required the mos
sl1ilful handling on the part of Mr.. Ha!
to prevent a complete break, He helt
Count Cassini in check for few days
and took a quick run over to Oyster Bay
where he had long conference with tn,
president The difficulty was finally ar
, ranged. The Kishinef incident was closet
satisfactorily the open door, was prom
8 Used, and Secretary Hay won victor.
for which he had been striving for tire,
years
It is well enough, SO far as domestic