The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-02
EUROPE REGRETS HAY'SDBATH
HIS GENIUS FOR STATECRAFT
RECOGNIZED ABROAD.
Credit Given to Him for Avcrtins Danger
Of General war Over the Far Eastern
Crisis-king Edward Expresses Grief
N the Loss OF . Personal Friend.
special Gable Despatch 10 THE Sun

Special Gable Despatch 10 THE sun
LONDON, July Mot even in America
itself is the death Of John Hay more deeply
deplored than by the people Of Great Britain
and all Europe. 1t is even true that his
genius for statecraft has gained fuller
recognition in the Old World than among
his own countrymen His highest eulogies
will come from his greatest contemporaries
among the directors of the worlds des-
TIMES in these most critical hours Of modern
history They are the Lest judges Of his
transcendent qualities. He was In their
eyes the greatest American, some will say
the greatest statesman Of his day. His
services for the past two years especially
were given not alone to America but to man.
kind, and the world has yet but slight
knowledge Of how great Is It's indebtedness
to him. .
1t Is scarcely an exaggeration to say
that Mr.. Hay made it possible to avert
a general war during the first year OF the
Far Eastern campaign. and the ianuen -
Of his wise precautions still maker for
peace. America owes it to his EFFORTS
more than to those Of any other man tho.
she was saved from foreign interference
during the Spanish American conflict. tt
~ Bull COO ceATly W Jeu tIlt stOTy VI tnOsS
anxious days when Mr.. Hays foresight,
tact and resourcefulness kept the ring
for America, as it did later for Russia and
Japan.
May be permitted to drop the imper-
sonality Of journalism for a moment and
acknowledge the Indebtedness which the
readers of THE sun share to this my closest
friend among public men? Those who
possessed Mr. Hays confidence know that
he was the frankest of men. He had no
secrets from those he really trusted. but
| do not believe his confidence was ever
abused. When he was Ambassador to
London and since he was Secretary Of
State he has many times thrown the il
Eliminating light of his knowledge upon
intricate problems of international politics
which has been reflected in these dispatches.
The last occasion was only three weeks
ago. He wrote me on reaching London:
Il am strictly quarantined by my doctors
and am really not amusing to talk to. But
would like to shake hands with you
found him looking better than when
last saw him in Washington in November.
He met my congratulations with u shake
Of the head, saying he wished 1t was true
but he feared his work was done His
spirit was cheerful. however and soon the
conversation drifted inevitably to the great
international crisis which is trying the souls
Of nations.
Many obscure points were cleared up by
his clear insight, quiet logic and almost
intuitive knowledge. He spoke particu-
larly OF Germany. although the Kaiser had
then not begun his startling campaign in
diplomacy. He recalled Emperor Williams
repeated advice to the Car to continue the
war until the weakening Of Russia had
reached point almost beyond his desires.
adding:
Germany may wish to cripple Russia, but
she does not want to destroy her The
collapse of the Russian Empire would create
political vortex far too dangerous for the
Kaiser to contemplate. Least Of all would
the German Emperor like to see the over
throw Of the Romanon dynasty or monar-
chical institutions anywhere In Europe"
H. R. @.