The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-12

| alliances. Mr.. Hay resisted the efforts TO
organize an allied army and secured an
understanding that while the United States
troops sent to China should act concur
rently" with other foreign forces, they were
to be regarded as an independent command
subject only to tho orders of their own
chief
just two weeks after the interruption
of communication Mr.. Hay addressed a
note to the Interested Powers which
hasAerved since as basis for procedure
in everything OF diplomatic character
pertaining to China, In tho years that
have passed since that note was written,
appreciation of its remarkable character
has grown until to-day it is regarded as
the foremost model Of diplomatic pro-
nounc3ment.
All the Powers, even Russia, gave their
assent to the principles laid down in that
note. After the capture of Pekin, it was
largely due TO Mr., Hays efforts that a san
culinary vengeance was not inflicted upon
the Chinese for the crimes of the Boxers.
Mr. Hay has also had a large part in
blocking the schemes of Russia to seize
Manchuria. Finally Russia entered into
solemn compact with China to evacuate
Manchuria.
While this period was passing. Mr.. Hay
was not idle in his determined effort to save
China. He secured from all the nations
concerned, including Russia, an acknowl-
edgement of the principle Of the open
door Occasionally he would address a
pertinent note TO st. Petersburg designed
to ascertain why Russia was so slow in
carrying out her treaty pledge to evacuate.
The responses were usually of a satis-
factory character, and in each case the
AmoriC an press would make announcement
of "ano'h n victory for John Hay These
words OF praise we're n a measure exceed
ingly annoying to Mr. Hay. Not that he
objected to having the esteem and com
meudation of the country as reflected
through the newspapers, but he felt that he
was receiving too much personal credit,
and always insisted that whatever measure
Of praise was due belonged to the Presi-
dent. who was primarily responsible for the
determination of Government policies
There was another reason why Mr.. Hay
believed it to be iniudicious for the Ameri-
can press TO give all the credit to the United
States Government for the work of saving
China from political and territorial disin-
tegraton. He realized that constant rep
etition of another victory for John Hay
was unpleasant to European ears, for
Europe did not wish to be placed in the
position Of constantly being guided by the
newest of world Powers.
The position taken by Mr.. Hay was much
the same as that of the Confederate Colonel
in a story which Private John Allen of
Mississippi used to tell The Colonels
regiment was beating a mastery retreat,
led by himself. Occasionally his fleeing
men would halt and fire voey at the pur
suing Yankees. Seeing what was occur
ring the Colonel turned his horse and rode
back into the ranks of his regiment.
stop that firing boys" he cried, at
only makes EN- madden
When the negotiations between Russia
and Japan over Manchuria and Corea
reached the acute stage, Mr.. Hays ac-
tivity in behalf Of China was necessarily |
suspended Any Interference at that
critical time might have involved the United /
States.
After the war was begun, however. an
was afforded of obtaining
from both belligerents assurances of |
far reaching Importance to Mr.. Hays
general policy Of keeping the Chinese Empire
intact All the neutral Powers feared
that China, on account Of her hatred of
Russia. would commit some hostile act