The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1908-03-26
DIR. DAVID HILL
TURNED DOWN
Not Acceptable to En-
peror William.
SECRETARY ROOF IS AMAZED
Germany's Decision Came as Com
pIete Surprise to Washington.
Objection TO DR.. Hiu as Ambssssdor d
Purely Personal to Emperor
wniiam-Persona Nom
Grata to Kim.
SECRETARY ROOF IS AMAZED

government mas ooCtthSo ~
DR.. David Jayne Hill In the capacity OF
American Ambassador to succeed
Charlemagne Towers. whose resigna-
tion has heen accepted to take effect
upon the qualification Of his success
scr. Dr. Hill Is at present a Minister
to The Hague and was formerly First
Assistant Secretary OF State under the
ADMINISTRATION OF Secretary Hay.
The objection to DIT. Hill Il one
purely personal to Emperor William,
who has simply caused 1t to be made
known that the American diplomatist Is
persona non-grata 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,
the ranking Admiral Of the German
navy. DR.. Hill at that time was First
Assistant Secretary OF State and nee
essarily was brought into official con-
tact with the distinguished foreign
visitors. Just what he did or did not
do to give offense Is not known here.
perplexing feature Of the case Is
presented by the fact that last Novem-
Der the German government let 1t be
known that DR.. Hill would be cordial-
ly received as American Ambassador to
Berlin. At that time Ambassador
Tower, against the Presidents wishes.
resigned. DR. Hill was seleeted to
fill this important vacancy for two
reasons: First. because OF his high
rank in the world OF literature and
diplomacy. and second. because his pro-
motion would be In execution OF Secre-
tary Roots cherished plan for the ap-
plication OF civil service principles In
the diplomatic service.
His Literary Work.
For two years preceding. DR.. Hill
had been an American Minister. hrst
accredited to Switzerland and then to
The Hague. He was engaged In mon
umentai literary work covering the en-
tire history Of the worlds diplomacy
and these two posts afforded exception
al ADVANTAGES for the procurement Of
the great mass OF matter required for
the work A that tank neared COM
pletion. DR.. Hill found himssif willing
to abandon the ilsld for the higher
diplomatic post OF Berlin and, as all
ready stated the German FOREIGN Of
fee cordially responded to the usual
cautiouss ovsrtures from the State De-
partrnent here as TO his availability for
appointment as Ambassador.
So today's decision Of the German
Emperor has come as q complete sur
Prise to ofiicial Washington. 1t is
,neverth eless final as far as Or. Hill 10
concerned. for the diplomatic usaBss
that governs International relations.
GOES
right Of sovereign to interpose an
objection to the reception of any ON
ciai who comes to his post in the ex-
traordinary and personal character OF
Notieet Of the action IN DIR. Hnl's case
came to the Department quite unofn-
at hrst today. there being moth
ing in the shape Of a formal notinca-
tIon hut simply an intimation of what
was fos follow. Secretary Root was
amazed because his own information
was that not only the German Foreign
once but Emperor William himself
mad formally signIfied a willingness to
receive DR., Hill when his name was
suggested last fall. Therefore the hrst
conclusion reached at the state De-
partment was that some mistake had
been made. Secretary Root lmmeui-
ately' communicated by telephone with
BARON Speck Won Sternburg, the Ger
man Ambassador, and upon the Secre-
tary's Invitation, the diplomat called at
once at the State Department. But II
was said at the German embassy that
no knowledge Of DIR. HIS rejection
had reached the embassy officially, and
when the members we're asked to en-
deavor to recall any unpleasant incl
dert connected with the visit to Wash
jnRton OF Prince Henry. they were at
DIR. HIS Career.
navid Jayne Hin has for many years
been regarded as an authority on In
ternational law. AS President OF Ro-
chester University he made that sub
iect a speciality and was author OF
several works and lectures there and
made il his favorite course. He en-
tered the service Of the State Depart
ment october IS, 1898. as Assistant Sec
retary OF state under the administra-
tion OF the late Secretary Hay. His
raeord in the state Department was
that of an eficient oficer and during
the frequent illnesses and absence OF
Secretary Hay. he discharged the re-
sponsfbie duty OF the head OF the De-
nartnent of state in q manner that
ELECTED the warm admiration Of the
late President Mckinley.
President Roosevelt also conceived a
high admiration for DR.. Hills ability
ana II was with some reluctance that
he yielded to the doctors desire to go
abroad and allow him TO leave the De-
partment to BECOME Minister to Switz-
arland January Z. 1908. He was trans
serred TO The Hague March is. 1905.
In compliance with his own desire.
AS having a bearing on today's de-
yelopments. the fact N recalled that
DR.. Hill as a part OF his literary out
put, political authority OF great
force. During the Mckinley campaign
he wrote and spoke frequently.
After the conference between Am
bassador Sternberg and Secretary Root
II was ascertained that a letter Is en-
route from the German capital which
contains a full explanation for the rea-
sons for the change Of attitude on the
part Of the government towards Mr.
Hill. In the absence OF the details OF
the objection, no comment could be
NNta -
the American government in respect Ia
the matter. In any event. 1t is regard
ed as certain that an expressed 0bJec-
tIon 70 Mr.. Hill made by Germany will
be decisive so far as his appointment is
concerned