Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-04-19
A Ambassador Hill.

The semi-official statements tele-
graphed from Berlin. expressive OF
the surprise and regret of the Ger
man government at the resignation Of
Dr. David Jayne HILL the American
Ambassador, show that official Berlin
is anxious that the American people
shall not draw wrong conclusions
from the resignation, and indicate
once more the Importance which the
government Of Germany attaches to
American opinion. These statements
carefully set forth that Dr. Hill is
extremely popular with the kaiser and
his advisers and that all are keenly
sorry that ne is To give up his job
DR.. Hill, it will he remembered went
TO Berlin under embarrassing circum-
stances. Shortly after the announce
ment that President Roosevelt would
appoint him 10 be ambassador To Ger
many, reports were telegraphed from
Berlin that the selection was distaste-
full To the emperor because it had been
represented that DR.. Hill was too poor
in purse and too democratic in his
manners and habits to fill acceptably
the post Of ambassador at the German
court It was set forth with some
and culture and his ability as shown
in the state department and in diplo-
matte positions abroad were fully appre-
ciated by Emperor William, but his
poverty and the extreme democracy
of his manners would. the emperor
thought, make his selection Tor am
bassador TO the greatest court in the
world" undesirable. If IN reality these
reports emanated from an authorized
quarter and were put forth as hint
to the United States, the kaiser was
not left long in doubt as to the
American temper on the subject 1t.
is said that he keeps closely in touch
with the opinion of the American
press, and if this is so he Immediately
had abundant proof of the attitude
Of American newspapers. 1t was
quickly made clear that DR.. Hill, the
eminent scholar and simple citizen.
was regarded as a fine representative
OF the American people; and that
while il was regretted that his means
were limited. there was no fear that
he would not be a creditable ambas
sador Moreover il was suggested
pointedly that if foreign governments
were under the impression that they
could require Uncle Sam To appoint
only millionaires as ambassadors they
had another think coming. In short
order. after the tenor of these ex-
pressions had been cabled To Berlin,
there was spirited disavowal from
the German foreign office Of all the
sentiments which had been attributed
To the kaiser-it was stated that Will
liam would be delighted, etc, etc
But Dr. Hill went to his post under
the disadvantage that the world be-
lieved that the kaiser had been cor
rectly quoted in the first instance.
and the extra warmth with which he
was received did not remove this be-
lief Now. however. we may well be
lieve that the statements of regret
that come from the foreign office are
wholly sincere. While DR.. Hill as am
bassador was unable to cut a splurge
capital, he filled his post with great
ability and becoming dignity, and
proved himself a worthy successor Of
the scholarly and able Americans
who had preceded him in the Ameri-
can embassy at Berlin The firmness
with which he has contended for
American interests in the potash con-
troversy may not have been altogether
pleasing To official Germany. but there
is no question as to the wholesome
respect in which he is held. Forum
ately, as soon as legation buildings
have been provided for our ambassa-
doris, under the provision Of the APP
preparation made by the late congress,
it will not be so important as it isl
now that our ambassadors shall be
men of wealth.