The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-10-03
JOHN HAY, STATESMAN.
An English Estimate and Explanation
 nf Him

An English Estimate and Explanation
 of Him.
 The news that arrangements have been made for the signing of the com mercial treaty between the United States and China, including clause providing for the opening of the ports of Mukden and Ta-tung-tao, on Oeto- Der 8, is a great triumph for MT, Hay. It is, indeed, a crowning proof that he is one of the ablest and most successful of living diplomatists, or rather of for eign ministers. The incident affords a useful opportunity for considering MT. Hays place among the statesmen of the world. and for noting the qualities which have raised him to that great position. Those who have watched his public career and have known him per sonally will. we venture to think, say that his ruling qualities are serenity, firmness, a high sense of honor as well as of public duty, and a wide knowl- edge of men and. affairs. Without trace of the bully or the blusterer in his composition heais never awed, not merely by other Smen, for that kind of courage is not uncommon, but also nev- CT ''awed by rumor," by circumstance, or by the creation of bogies of one kind or another. He is not the sort of states man who one day thinks that this or that power will be terrible danger to the Union if it Is not shown it's place, or that some particular interest is going to carry all hefore t unless 1t is instantl ly checked or controlled. In other words, he Is not one of the men who are always In a fuss about something or somebody. Yet, like the able and high minded president in. whose administra- ton he holds so pre-eminent place. his serenity of temper never degenerates into cynocism or indifference. His mental attitude Is as far as possible from that of the man who thinks that nothing matters. He feels strongly on all vital points and though he makes no parade of earnestness, is often far more in earnest than men who proclaim their earnestness from the house tops. A superficial observer, indeed, might possibly think he was disciple of Tal- 1eyrand, and had taken to heart his maxim of surtout pas des zele; but in reality there is plenty of zeal for worthy objects, and plenty of scorn for what is mean, petty and conternptible, below the calm and unirnpassioned atti- tude of the secretary of state.
 The serenity and moderation of tenn per might possibly have proved snare to statesman obliged to mix in the rough and tumble of politics, and to take action and judge great fiuestions ,aatly, if it had not been joined with deep knowledge of men and things. Fortunately for his country, MT. Hay possesses this knowledge. When he was appointed ambassador to Britain by MT. Mckinley it was thought that America had sent us a brilliant man of letters, who would be certain to endear himself to all Bnglishmen with whom he might come in contact-a man, in fact, who would fill worthily the posi- ton occupied by Lowell-but little more was expected of him. Yet when the Spanish-American war came, and with it the threats of European intervention, and the deep continental jealousy of the United States for the first time became visible, men saw with astonishment that in It's ambassador in London the Uni ted States possessed true statesman, and one endowed with wise and com prehensive outlook on affairs diplo- mat who could cross swords with the ablest foreign diplomats and easily hold his own. Instead, as was prophesied, of the man of letters being puzzled and perturbed by the task of meeting the finesse and the yelled hostility of dex- terous professional diplomacy, MT. Hay showed himself at once perfectly self