The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-01

nara tt 10 fCallZC that INC JOHN Ilhy VI
to-day, who is held in affectionatc esteem
By most of his countrymen without re-
gard to partisan prejudices, is the same
John hay who was then accused Of being
,ln-American. unpatmotic, a lover Iof
noble titles. an Anglo-maniac of the first
water; who was vigorously and relent-
lessly attacked, ampooncd and carica-
Etured
First Notable Stroke.
Mr. Hays first notable stroke Of di-
plomacy was in securing the reluctant as
sent of England to 8. proposal that the
Clayton Bulwer treaty be nbrogate so as
to make possible the construction of an
Isthmian canal by. the United States. 1t
was while he was ambassador to the
Court Of st. James that Mr.. Hay laid
tho foundation for the achievement.
He had assduously cultivated, through
tact. and force of ability. better relations
between London and Washington; so that
when he assumed direction of foreign az
fairs he had the good will and the friend.
ship Of Great BrItain's leading men. Bet
ter still, he knew from personal associal
ton and close observation the characters
and prciudices Of those with whom he was
called upon to deal tits probably not go
ING too far to say that the ultimate con-
sent of Great Britain to the abrogation OF
the Clayton Bulwer convention was due at
least as much to the high personal regard
in which John Hay was held in England
as 10 a desire on the part OF the British
government to show ina signal way us
feeling Of friendship for America.
In the months when war with Spain was
Imminent, and while that hundred-day
conflict continued, Ambassador Hay SO
assiduously set forth the American side
of the Cuban controversy that q feeling
of sympathy with the United States
spread among the English people, ana
from the standpoint Of moral eiicct
helped this country to marked degree
While the war was In progress genera
belief prevailed In America that England
! had shown her friendship IN more ways
! than one; that she had shut her eSes -
| tho enforcement OF strict and correct neu-
| trality, and had granted favors that were
~ value Ia this government in It's time
| of need.
Secret Aid During Spanish War.
The selection Of the British diplomatic
and consular agents IN Spain anu lts
| nossossions to care fora-the Interests OF
American citizens during the period OF
host,Ities wa slikew!se looked upon as an
| ind,ration that President Mckinley, and
| his Cabinet regarded Great Britain as
| Americas best friend. There were rumo!s
| during the war and after that an at
tempted combination Of European towers
| for the purpose Of intervening IN SPAIN
! hehalf had been frustrated by the oppos-
| ton Of England.
| In washington the firm belief exists to-
| day that many things were done with the
| consent or connivance Of Downing street
| that were of material heneflt 10 the
! United States. Naval officers. when asked
| in these times of peace where the Navy
| Department secured certain valuable mn 4
| tary information, will wink and look
| knowingly, an dthen enter into a q s.
course about the friendship OF england
| for this country
| Repeated efforts were made TO secure
| from Mr. Hay some acknowledgment that
| England rendered assistance 10 the Amer
lean government during tho Spanish war;
| but his responses, while seemingly lntel.
/ ligiblc, were of n vague character that
bar satisfactory Interpretation. NeVerthe'
less, tho feeling exists that, whatever may
have been the attitude of the British
government toward the United States dur
ing the war with Spain, the relations
! OF Mr., Hay with the crown authorlt ,cs
In London while he was President Mcltin'
ley's ambassador there, were such as te
enable him to obtain any fayors tina
4 were Of service In the prosecution OF hos
Titles.
Canal Negotiations Mastery,
His friendship In England also enabled
him TO secure Great Brtaln's consent t
tho amend mcnts to tho canal treaty IN
sisted on by the Senate.
How the Hay-Pauncefote treaty wa:
ultimately put In force; how Mr.. lIa!
prepared the way for tho success OF tn
canal scheme before It was know
Il whether the Panama or the Nicaragua
route would be chosen the difficulties h
encountered with grating national leg
isature In Colombia, and the crownlnl
master stroke that made Panama fire.
and independent republic and assured
the building OF the canal, are matters Q
history. In all of them Mr., Hay playe'
the most conspicuous part and Wlthou
his help and quick decision the isthmlul
canal might still be to-day, as It wa
for many decades n mere dream 0
dreamers,
1t has been said that Mr., Hays frs
notable stroke Of diplomacy was In pay
ing tho way for the realization OF tn
canal project. This IL In effect true, fol
,. while he achieved greater note in hi
earlier developed Chinese policy. the op
portunlty for bringing this Into promi
, hence was not afforded until after tn
first Hay Pauncefote treaty had bee
!, negotiated.
, Foresaw the Issue AS to China
1t is a tribute to the far-slghtedness O
Mr.. Hay that soon after he became Sec
rotary of State he began the diplomats
crusade for preserving what he ha