The Washington herald., 1908-03-28
SATURDAY. MARCH 2s, 1905.
The Tower-HiII Incident.

There is still some uncertainty as 70
the facts relating TO the diplomatic in
eident now agltating official circles in
Washington and Berlin. so that definite
judgment concerning II Is impossible;
but Il appears reasonably clear that, what
ever may have been the original atti-
tude OF Emperor William and his gov
ernment toward the appointment OF
David Jayne Hill as Ambassador TO Ger
many, the Emperor himself has changed
his mind. Ii may be true. as the cables
say. that Mr.. Hill is persona grata to
the German foreign Office. The Emperor.
however. has undoubtedly given express
sion unoffcially, if not officially, to opin-
ions respecting the Hill appointment that
make It impossible for the American
government to adhere to its purpose to
send Alr Hill TO Berlin. In matters Of
this sort, a hint is sufficient: and it is
apparent that the hint if not a great
deal more. has been given. Under the
circumstances. no other course is open
TO President Roosevelt but the withdrawal
Of the Hill appointment This is much
10 be regretted, as Mir. Hill is one of
the most accomplished members Of the
diplomatic service; and there is no reason
70 suppose he would not have rendered
excellent service at Berlin had not the
Emperor's mind turned against him.
The most interesting feature OF this
unpleasant incident yet remaining to be
cleared up relates to the cause Of the
Kaiser's altered opinion as 20 Mr.. HilTs
personality and qualifications Was his
mind poisoned by intrigue at the Berlin
court, and, If so, by whom? The situation
was such as 10 lend itself readily TO a
campaign against the prospective Ambas-
sador. In the first place. Ambassador
Tower had not resigned. nor has he yet
dcne so. Mr.. Hill was appointed some
months ago TO a place not vacant. and
which was not 30 be vacated until some
indefinite time IN the future He was
confirmed by the Senate. and then sat
down to await the retirement Of an Off
cial who, 10 all appearances. was the VIC
tim Of Executive precipitancy II would
not be singular IL some resentment were
felt in the American Embassy at Berlin
over the obvious willingness Of the home
government to part with his services at
an earlier date than was contemplated by
the Ambassador to Germany. He would
not have been altogether unjustided. we
imagine. in susDecting that he was being
showed overheard At all events. with
his successor lowering about and his
own resignation from four 10 six months
distant. Mr. Tower must have felt in en-
awkward and somewhat uncomfortable
situation situation that must have be-
come known to his colleagues of the
diplomatic corps and ultimately 10 the
imperial court In view Of the Emperor's s
known prediction for the American I'M
bassador. there can be little doubt that
Mr.. Towers grievance would meet a
sympathetic imperial response.
II there be any lesson in this unhappy
business. perhaps it is that it would be
well. before making an appointment. to
make sure that there is a vacancy to be
filed. The President. Of course. can
quickly create a vacancy in any office,
but his method OF doing so in this in
stance seems not to have brought results
as quickly as anticipated. The whole af-
fair Is an unfortunate one all around. but
we fancy it viii contribute far more to
international gayety than 70 international
bad feeling. Certainly we have no valid
ground OF complaint if a situation largely
Of our own creation has given the Kaiser
reason 10 feel that Mr.. Hill is persona
non grata.