The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-03-28
HAY WANTS TO RETIRE.

Hay Agreed t Remain in the Cab
met if He Receivers Strength-Be-
licf Is Prevalent that He Will Yield
to opportunities of His Family to
Return to Private Life.
There is a well-defned impression
in inside circles. amounting almost to
Hay will not return to his duties as
head of the state department. Before
hc left Washington for his European
"trip the Secretary wished to resign.
In this he was supported by members
iof his family, who thought Mr.. Hay
jshould,y lowing to his feeble health, put
aside all official cares.
President Roosevelt was very re-
Iluctant even to hear the suggestion
that Secretary Hay might relinquish
Ibis place in the cabinet. Before he
left Washington, Mr.. Hay promised to
return as soon as his health had i'm
proved. His illness just as he was
boarding the steamer: however. has
Increased the fears that his health Will
mot permit him again to take up ac-
tive work.
So strong is this impression that
there is already considerable gossip
about MIR. Hays successor in the event
that he finds it necessary to retire. 1t
is hardly possible that by force Of
circumstances, President Roosevelt
himself has not had the matter under
consideration. There are several very
II noo1 r&o ~ <7,ocf;orc q ffoofino orr fn1>
eign affairs which may reach an acute
stage almost any day. They are
Questions Of vital concern to the ma
ton, as we'll as to the administration,
that call for close attention in the
state department.
Arrangements for peace in the Far
East might seriously affect the open
door policy, Of which this government:
stands rs the special champion. The
i%sitration in Venezuela is very strained.
Notwithstanding all contrary state
ments, and has in it the possibilities
of vigorous action on The part OF this
government. The Santo Domingo
Guestion has been deferred. but still
calls for tact and caution.
The livelihood that Secretary or
War Taft may be promoted to the
first seat in the cabinet is frequently
mentioned. He is now the acting Sec
retary of state, and enjoys the conf
dence of the President to a marked
degree. He is eminently fitted for
that Office. where the duties would I'M
doubtedly be quite as c~ongenial to him
as those in the war department.
Hon. Elihu Root, late secretary of
war. is ideally equipped for the duties
OF the department of state, but it is
considered unlikely hat he could be
induced to return to the cabinet. even
as premier.
Almost from the day tina Mr..
Roosevelt entered the White Houes
there has beer talk about the posi-
biiity Of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge
some day becoming secretary Of state.
He is the Presidents closest personal
friend in public life, and Presidents
have often chosen such friends to De
secretary of state. In this case, more
over, Senator Lodges long legislative
training and his experience in foreign
laffairs would make him a very nat
ural selection. AS one of the leading
members of the foreign relations COM
mittee n as it's foremost member,
according to the prevalent view at the
capitol, he is certainly as familiar
with the governments foreign affairs
as n other man in congress-.
But distinguished as the honor of
being secretary Of state is, Mr.. Lodge
might be unwilling to r%elinuuish his
seat in the Senate t accept it, The
position OF Senator from Massachu-
isetts is practically for life, and it might
be a, question whether Mr.. Lodge
would gain in distinction among his
M people by relinquishing it for the
highest place in the cabinet. He has
just been reelected for a six years
term. Although he is the leader of
his party in the state, it would be DIFF
|ncult for him to return to the Senate
latter another had been established In
the seat for a term extending two
years beyond the time when President
Roosevelt has declared his intention
Of returning to private life.
There are other prominent Senators
of Il foreign relations committee.
colleagues of Mr. Lodge, to whom the
President might turn if he had to Sc
lect a secretary of state. Two of
them are Senators Foraker. OF Ohio.
land Spooner, of Wisconsin. Both are
.nen of the highest ability and well in
formed on matters affecting our for
e1gn policy, Both, also, are lawyers
tof great legal attainments.
Even should Secretary Hay regain
mis- health, his age is not likely to en-
hance his disposition to resume active
work. He is almost sixty-seven years
old, and has now been continuously
i the public service for eight years.
Eya shinofou Poet