The Irish standard., 1908-03-28

tetary Of state under the administra-
ton Of Secretary Hay.
Kaiser Dislikes Hill.
The objection to DIR. Hill is one
purely personal to Emperor William,
who has simply caused it to be made
known that the American diplomatist
is persona non grata to him. The
reason for the emperor's objection is
connected 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 necessarily was brought into
ofioial contact with the distinguished
foreign visitors. Just what he did or
did not do to give offense is not known
here.
Once Consented to Him.
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 a course, reached the decision
that proper consideration for his own
private business interests and the well
fare Of his children. whose education
he deemed 1t necessary to perfect in
America, obliged him to insist upon
the acceptance of his resignation.
Reasons for His Selection.
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 in execution OF Secretary
Roots cherished plan for the appli-
cation of civil service principles in the
diplomatic service. For two years
preceding DR.. Hill had been an Amer.
ican minister, first accredited to
Switzerland and then to The Hague.
He was engaged in monumental liter
airy work, covering the entire history
of the worlds diplomacy, and those
two posts afforded exceptional advan.
tages for the procurement Of the great
mass of material needed.
Decision Great Surprise.
AZ that task neared completion DR..
Hill found himself willing to abandon
the 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
AZ to his availability for appointment
as ambassador. So Wednesdays de-
cision Of the German emperor has
come as complete surprise to official
Washington. 1t is nevertheless final
rs far as DR.. Hill Is concerned, for
the etiquette that governs information.
al relations does not permit of any
question of the right of a sovereign to
tnterpose an objection to the reception
Of any official who comes to his post
In the extraordinary and personal
character Of ambassador.
Rumor Quickly Confirmed.
Notice of the action of the German
government in DR.. Hills case came to
the state department quite unoff1cially
at first Wednesday, there being moth
Ing in the shape OF a formal notifica-
ton. but simply an intimation of
what was to follow. Secretary Root
was amazed, because his own informa.
ton was that not only the German
foreign Office. but Emperor William
himself. had formally signified will
ingness to receive DIR. Hill when his
name was suggested last fall. There
fore, the frst conclusion reached at
the state department was that some
where mistake had been made. Sec
rotary Root Immediately communi-
Gated by telephone with Baron Speck
Won Steruburk