Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-01
GRIEF At THE NEWS
Sadness in the Department
of State.
FLAGS AT HALF MAST
DIPLOMATS NOTIFIED OF SECRE-
TARY HAYS DEATH.
First Tidings Came in a Telegram
From Mrs. Hay to Private Sec
retary Babcock.

There was an air of decided gloom and
sadness In the Department of State this
morning over the news of the sudden and
unexpected death OF the esteemed head of
that department. The first news on the
subject was received by Mr.. +. J. Babcock.
private secretary to Secretary Hay who
was awakened at his home about 2.25
o'clock this morning, to receive "A tele-
gram from Mrs. Hay, saying that Secretary
Hay died Unexpectedly at 12:45 o'clock this
morning. and requesting him to notify the
Department of State to that effect. Through
his long and intimate acquaintance with
Secretary Hay, Mr.. Babcock had become
very much attached to him, and in view Of
the reassuring news received earlier In the
day regarding the condition of the distin-
gushed patient, was naturally stunned at
the news of his death.
Diplomats Notified.
In execution of the request of Mrs Hay,
he called up the telephone Third Assist
ant Secretary Peirce, who is temporarily
acting as Secretary of State, and informed
him of the telegram he had received from
Mrs. Hay. Accordingly, when Assistant
Secretary Peirce reached the State Depart
ment this morning. the first thing he did
was TO arrange for the official notification
of the members of the diplomatic corps OF
the death of the Secretary of State. I'm or
der that they might inform the govern
ments represented by them. Orders were
also given for the half-mastlns Of the flags
of all the public buildings in this city.
Further action was suspended pending in
structons from the President and the set
tlement of arrangements for the funeral.
In accordance with custom in such cases ALI
the executive departments In the city VIII
undoubtedly be closed the daK OF the
funeral
1t so happens that Mr.. Peirce is the only
one of the assistant secretaries of state now
in the city. Mr. Loomis the first assistant,
has gone to Paris to represent the Presl-
dent at the ceremonies attending the trans
fer of the remains of John Paul Jones TO the
United States squadron al Cherbourg. Sec
ond Assistant Secretary Adee, who has been
spending his vacation In the south OF
France, is expected TO arrive here in few
weeks.
Acting Secretary Peirce this morning no.
tilted the heads of all the executive de-
partments in Washington of the death OF
Secretary Hay and sent the following lden-
teal cablegram to all the United States
amba doris and ministers:
Secretary Hay died Unexpectedly at
1925 o'clock this morning. Notify govern
ment and display usual symbols OF mourn
ing. (Signed) PEIRCE'
In a special cablegram to the United
States embassy at Paris, Mr.. Perce asked
that Mr.. Porter, former ambassador. and
Mr. Loomis, assistant secretary be notified
of the Secretary's death.
Japanese Minister Calls First.
Mr.. Takahira. the japanese minister was
the first of the foreign diplomats to see
Acting Secretary Peirce this morning. He
was followed by Minister Calvo of Costa
Rica, who conferred with the Secretary
relative to some action on the part of the
South American republics representatives
here in respect to Mr.. Hay.
A message was received at the State De-
partment from the American colony in
London expressing deep sorrow at the
death of Mr.. Hay.
A large number of messages arrived ad-
dressed to Mrs. Hay. These were for
warded to her.
Russian Ambassador Notified.
Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador.
was one of the few who saw Mr.. Hay at his
home here last week. The afternoon before
Secretary left the ambassador called by ap-
pontment and for nearly two hours they
chatted of personal matters and of Off
cial matters in personal way.
This was the ambassadors farewell to the
Secretary. whom he has known for five
years. Despite their frequent differences
officially there the strongest feeling OF
affectionate regard between them and in
this long talk they fell to reminiscng, re-
calling the many difficult times which had
arisen since Count Casstni came to Wash
ington as Russia's first ambassador. AS
the ambassador was leaving this month for
home having been transferred. they real
lied ii was probably their last meeting.
The Secretary talked freely about his
health.
Il was an i'll man. far worse than my
friends knew. when / left for Europe last
spring" he said to the ambassador. But
feel much better; 1 feel rested now, and
perhaps with care / may have d few more
years"
Many many more. ] hope and pray"
the ambassador added, and with warm
shake of the hand the two said goodbye
Since his talk that afternoon with the Sec
retary, Count Cassini has been much de-
pressed about Mr.. Hays health Never
theless the shock was none the less severe
to him this morning as his valet brought
him the sad news. The ambassador at once
dictated personal message to Mrs. Hay
and then prepared an official dispatch TO
his government
News Was Shock.
Notable as statesman and diplomat.
whose official activities brought him con-
spicuously before the public for many
years, tho news of the death of Secretary
Hay at his summer home on Lake Sunapee,
N. H., was received here with evidences OF
the most profound sorrow. Although aware
of the delicate condition of Mr.. Hays
health, there was a general hope that lie
would again rally and that long stay in
the New Hampshire mountains would In
measure restore his health. Ihe latest re-
ports received here yesterday from Mrs.
Hay and from other sources were of re-
assuring nature and for this reason the
of his death came as sud-
den and painful surprise to Washington.
Mr. Hay never was OF robust constitu-
ton but by scrupulous care he was able
to keep In fairly good health. Every sum-
mer he sought partial relief from Official
duties by spending several months at his
New Hampshire home, The Fells,' on the
shore of Lake Sunapee.
While Mr. Hays official duties were con-
genial to him. yet because of his some
what impaired physical condition he was
reluctant to remain In the cabinet, and did
so only at the urgent solicitation OF Presl-
dent Roosevelt.
Took Trip for His Health
Secretary Hay had not enjoyed good
health for long period He con-
fined TO his home at intervals during last
winter. suffering usually. according to the
statements given out at the time from