Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-26
URGES
CONGRESS TO ACT,
Give People Legislation For Which
They Are C|amoring e. KAISER Re-
fuses Dr.. Hill as Ambassador.
KAISER REFUSES HILL.

Washington, March 25.-The German
government has declined to receive DR.
David Jayne Hill in the capacity Of
American ambassador to sucle eel
Charlenagne Tower, whose l., SIGMA
ton has been accepted to take effect
upon the qualification of his successor
Dr. Hill is at present American
minister to The Hague and was for
merly first assistant secretary Of state
under the administration of Secretary
Hay.
The objection to DR.. Hill is one
purely personal to Emperor William,
who has simply caused it to be known
that the American diplomatist is per
soma non gratia to him. The reason
for the Emperor's objection is connect
ed with the visit to America several
years ago of his brother, Prince Henry.
Dr.. Hill at that time was first assist
ant secretary of state and necessarily
was brought into official contact with
the distinguished foreign visitor. Just
what he did or did not do to give
offence is not known here.
A perpleXing feature Of the case is
presented by the fact that last No
vember. the German government let it
be known that DR.. Hill would be COR
daily received as American ambassa-
dor to Berlin. At that time Ambassa-
dor Tower, after the President had
sought in vain to dissuade him from
such 4 course, reached, the decision
that proper consideration for his own
private business interests and the well
fare of his children whose education
he deemed it necessary to perfect in
America, obliged him to insist upon
the acceptance of his resignation.
DR.. Hill was selected to fill this i'm
portant vacancy for two reasons
FIRST. because of his high rank in the
world of literature and diplomacy, and
second, because his promotion would
be i'll execution of Secretary Roots
cherished plan for the application Of
civil service principles in the diplomat
ic service
For two years preceding DR. Hill had
been an American minister, first ac-
credited to Switzerland and then The
Hague. he was engaged in monument
al literary work covering the entire
history of the worlds diplomacy and
these two posts afforded exceptional
advantages for the procurement of the
great mass Of material required for
tie work. AS that task neared compile
ton. DIR. Hill found himself willing to
abanGon the field for the higher dip
lomatic post of Berlin and as already
stated, the German foreign office cor
daily responded to the usual cautious
overtures from the state department
here as to his availability for appoint
ment as ambassador.
So today's decision of the German
Emperor has come as a complete sur
prise to official Washington 1t is new
ertheless final as far as DR.. Hill is
for the etiquette that gov
prns international relations does not
permit of any question of the right of
a sovereign to interpose an objection
to the reception of any official who
comes to his post in the extraordinary
and personal character of ambassador.
Notice Of the action Of the German
government came to the state depart-
ment quite unofficially first today.
there being simply an intimation Of
Continued on Page Two.)