The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-25
Germany Will Not Receive Him
as American Ambassador
Although Previously Signifying
Willingness to Do So.
is PURELY PERSONAL
He Is Persona Non Grata to
Emperor William
ALI on Account of Prince Hen
ry's Visit to America.

Washington, March 25.-The Ger
man government has declined to re-
ceive DIR. David Jayne Hill in the
capacity of American am AMBASSADOR to
succeed Charlemange Tower, whose
resignation has been accepted to take
effect upon the qualification of his
successor. DIR. Hill is at present
American minister to The Hague and
was formerly 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 diplomat is
persona non grata to him. The rea-
son for the emperor's objection is
connected with the visit to America
several years ago of his brother,
Prince Henry. the ranking admira.
Of the German navy. DR.. Hill at that
time, was first assistant secretary of
state and necessarily was brought into
official contact with the distinguished
foreign visitors. Just what he did or
did not do to give offense is not
known here.
A perplexing feature of the case
Is pTGSenIeo ny Tie lctCI lIldC ldSl NO
vember the German government let
it be known that DR.. Hill would be
cordially received as American am
bassador to Berlin. At that time
Ambassador Tower, after the presi-
dent had sought in vain to dissuade
decision that proper consideration
for his own private interests and the
welfare of his children whose educa-
ton he deemed it necessary to per-
feet in America, obliged him to in
sist upon the acceptance of his re-
Signation.
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 dip
lomacy, and, second. because his
promotion would be in execution of
the application of civil service prin-
ciples in the diplomatic service. For
two years preceding DR.. Hill had
been an American minister first
accredited to Switzerland and then to
The Hague. He was engaged in
monume entail literary work covering
the entire history or the worlds
diplomacy and these two posts
afforded exceptional advantages for
the procurement of the great mass of
material required for the work. AS
that task neared completion DR.. Hill
field for the higher diplomatic post
of Berlin, and as already stated, the
German foreign office cordially re-
sponded to the usual cautious over
lures from the state department here
as to his availability for appoint
ment as ambassa dor. So today's
decision of the German emperor has
come as a complete surprise to off,
cial Washington. 1t is nevertheless
final as far as DIR. Hill IS concerned
for the etiquette that governs inter-
national relations does rot 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 as ambassador
Notice of the action of the German
government in DR.. Hills case, came
to the state department quite unoffi-
cially at first today and simply as an
fntimation of what was to follow. Sec
retary Root was amazed because his
own information was that not only the
German foreign Office, but Emperor
William himself had formally signified
a willingness to receive DR.. Hill when
his name was suggested last fall. Sec
retary Root Immediately communica-
ted by telephone with Baron Speck Won
Sternburg, the German ambassador
and upon the secretary's invitation,
the diplomat called at once at the state
department to confer with the secre-
tary. But it was said at the German
embassy that no knowledge of DIR.
Hills rejection had reached the en-
basSy officially.
David Jayne Hill has for many years
been regarded as an authority on in
ternational law. AS president of Roch-
ester university, he made that subject
a speciality and he was the authority
Of several works thereon. He entered
the service of the state department
October 20, 1898, as assistant secretary
of state. His record in the state de-
partment was that of an extremely
efficient officer and during the frequent
illnesses and absences Of Secretary Hay
he discharged the duties of the head
of the department in a manner that
ELECTED the warm admiration of the
late President Mckinley. President
Roosevelt also conceived a high ad-
miration for DIR. Hills ability and it
was with some reluctance that he
yielded to the doctors desire to go
abroad.
Not Up to the Standard.
Berlin, March 25.-The German
government has informed President
Roosevelt that DIR. David Jayne Hill,
at present American minister at The
Hague, Is not acceptable to 1t as am
bassador at Berlin. CharIemagne
Tower, the present ambassador, de-
clined today to either confirm or deny
this statement. He confined himself
to saying that any question as to the
action of the German government
must be directed to the state depart
ment at Washington. From other
sources it was learned that the ground
upon which the government declines
to receive DR.. Hill, are in general,
that he is not representative enough
for the United States to send to Ger
many. The German foreign Office
made inquiries at The Hague and these
brought the report that DR.. Hill has
not created much of a position for
himself at The Netherlands court. 1t
appears also that some German Off
cials who have met DR.. Hill have made
Republicans at the court here adverse