The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-05
OUR SECRETARY OF STATE
JOHN HAY HAS PROVED HIMSELF TO
BE REMARKABLE DIPLOMAT.
How He Got Count Cassini and His
Country Into q Trap-Hts Trfumphs
in Eastern Questions.
James creelman. in New York World.

tary Hay has managed, in letter OF apol-
ogy to Russia, to make the Russian ambas-
sador's verbal assurances regarding the
''open door, in Manehuria matter or ON
cial record-followed by sudden menace IN
our attitude toward Russia-again calls
general attention to the remarkable man
who has directed the foreign policy of the
nation since it first entered upon the career
of a world power.
1t is hard to recognize the creator or
Jim Bludso" and Little Brooches" the
adoring young secretary to whom Lincoln
used to read newspaper jokes at midnight;
the jaunty major of the civil war. in the
cold, grave Secretary of State, who has sue
cessfully matched his skill and knowledge
against the great chancellors of Europe.
Mr.. Hay is Scotch; that may explain his
caution, precision and reticence. 1t may
also explain the gradual aseendeney of in
tellect over temperament. the evolution of
a popular poet into an austere statesman
and successful business man. The rhymes
ter has become millionaire, who manages
his property as well as his diplomacy.
Through various official channels the De-
partment of State had been informed that
the demands made by Russia upon China as
conditions precedent to the withdrawal of
Russian troops from Manchuria were OF
such a nature as to violate Russia's prev
ious guarantee of an ''open door" policy in
China and imperil Americas important and
growing interests in the threatened prov
inee.
The United States promptly protested
Thereupon Count Cassini, the Russian am
bassador, went to Secretary Hay and cate
gorically denied the statements of Russia's
demands upon China. which were the basis
of the American protest.
The ambassadors private declarations,
made in the name of his government were
oral There was no record. Mr.. Hay wrote
a graceful note TO Count Cassini. express
ing regret that the United States should
have misunderstood the policy of Russia
in Manchuria, and SO managed. without
violating the official proprieties. to put the
ambassador on record publicly.
This Is regarded i'm Washington as one Of
the most deft an delicate strokes of mod
ern diplomacy. for the secret assurances
thus revealed do not harmonize with relia.
BILE reports which have come from the far
East.
THE sEcRETARY'S MANNER.
Mr.. Hay is invariably urbane, even
though undemonstrative. In many respects
he resembles John Morley. whose cool and
critical temperament restrains him from
the occasional hsadlong enthusiasm neces-
sary for popular leadership. Mr.. Hay can
not court the populaee. He is too proud,
too reserved. too Scotch for that, While
you are calling on him, the japanese min
ister's card is laid on the table by a soft
footed negro attendant. Mr.. Hay asks TO
be excused, and strides into On adjoining
room. Presently he returns and resumes
The Russian ambassadors card is present
ed. Mr.. Hay again withdraws with a
word of courtesy. After few minutes he
just where he left them, without a trace
of distraction. Now the British ambassa-
doris card appears. Once more Mr.. Hay
time, comes back as precise and unruffied
as ever.
Since you entered the room Mr.. Hay has
discussed one of the most embarrassing in
cidents of the great Manchurian contro-
versy with the pienipotentiaries of three
nations.
fuses to discuss diplomatic matters in pub
lie. even i'm reply TO bitter partisan attacks.
His position is this
There are two important lines Of en-
deavor in which men are forbidden even
to allude TO their success-aHairs OF the
heart and diplomatic affairs. In doing so
one not only commits vulsarity which
transcends ali questions of taste, but makes
all future success impossible. For this
reason the diplomatic representatives OF
the government must frequently suffer in
silence the most outrageous imputatiohs
upon their patriotism, their intelligence and
their common honesty. To justify them
selves before the public they would some
e etsse Of the Nation. They must constantly
adopt for themselves the motto of the
French revolutionist Let my name wither'
1t is fact, which the record will bear
favor at the hands of the British govern
ment in connection with our war with
Spain.
why don't you ask Lord Salisbury to
prevent Spain from securing coal for her
navy in Wales?" asked an enthusiastic
"It is beneath the dignity Of great ma !,
besides, ii would be unwise 10 establish an
At that very time Mr. Hay was quietly
exertng every influence at his command
to turn the tide of British sympathy more
strongly toward the United States; but not
once did he put his country in the position
of suppliant.
HIS ASIAN POLICY.
Although Mr.. Hay secured the abrogation
of the Clayton Bulwer treaty, brought
about the reference of the most far-reaeh-
ing question in the recent Venezuelan dis
pute-priority in payment for a beliigerent
elaimant-to the international court of The
Hague, and arranged for the peaceable adj
justment of the Alaska boundary question,
he is known throughout the world princi-
| pally for the breadth and foresight of his
policy in Asia.
When it became plain that Germany,
Russia and other great powers were pur-
suing provocative policy. aimed at the de-
| struction and division of the Chinese en-
| pire, Mr.. Hay inaugurated his now historic
| movement for the "open door" in China by
| asking France, Russia, Germany. England,
| Italy and Japan to give formal assurances
| that each nation fould agree to the follow
| ing policy regarding China:
''FiTst-Will In no way interfere with any
| treaty port or any vested interest within
! any so-called sphere of interest or leased
| territory it may have in China.
.'Seeond-That the Chinese treaty tariff
| of the time being shall apply to all mer-
| chandise landed or shipped 10 all such
| ports as are within said sphere of inter-
| est (unless they be free ports), no matter
| to what nationality il may belong. and that
| duties so leviabie shall be collected by the
| Chinese government.
"Third-That IL will levy no higher har-
| Dor dues on vessels of another nationality
| freauenting any port in such sphere than
shall be levied on vessels OF its own nation
Aterlr nAa