New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-04
'DR. HILL SPIKES LIES
| AS TO HIS RESIGNATION
Retiring Ambassador in Berlin
Shows 1t Was in No Way Due
to Potash Controversy.
TAFT'S LETTER CONCLUSIVE
President. Assured Him Months
Ago That He Had INDICATED
His 'Appointment-In-
trigue Intimated.
TAFTS LETTER CONCLUSIVE

| Berlin. Sept 3.-David Jayne Hill. the
retiring American Ambassador. on ihe
eve Of his departure from Berlin, has
! broken silence with regard to his resig-
iation, which was accepted by President
Taft last April. The ambassador gave
ont a statement to-day intimating that
there had been deliberate intrigue to
discredit him and misrepresent the rea-
sons for his resignation and also an
nouncing that. like his predecessors, he
had declined a decoration offered him by
the Emperor
Il cannot leave Germany" says the
ambassador, without expressing appre-
citation of the kindness | experienced
here. particularly from his majesty, who
generously intimated his wish to confer
upon me an honor which the laws OF my
country forbid me II accept. ! have,
however. considered it proper to receive
from his majesty As a souvenir OF our
agreeable relations a piece Of porcelain
from the royal potterles, and I wish to
make public acknowledgment of this
mark or friendship.
"At the time of my resignation in April
there was much speculation regarding
the reason therefor, and a legend con-
cerning nv course in the negotiations
between NY government and Germany
over the potash controversy was care
fully prepared and widely circulated,
positively declaring on alleged authority
that my conduct was dispeasing to the
Department Of State, Under such cir
cumstances the duty of loyal diplomat
is silence. and faithfully | performed
this duty
Il have believed that the American
Jeople careless as they often are Of re-
putations, love fair play. and knowing
that the official record there would speak
the truth at the proper time. | have
taken no notice Of either the source OF
the motive of these allegations. | have
now no comment to maxi upon them.
"On leaving office six months after my
resignation ] believe that II will he
pleasure to the President if / make pub
lie at this time en- autograph statement
should effeCtually silence and oXterml-
nate the legend which certain newspa-
pers have cndeavored 10 keep alive. He
saws:
write now To assure you that ] never
had the slightest reason TO criticise your
course and service at the very important
post OF Berlin You have Vindicated
YOUR appointment i'll every way, ana IL
has given me pleasure to deny emphatl-
cally and categorically that your resig-
nation grew out of any disagreement on
the part of the administration with your
conduct in this country's relations with
Germany i'm regard to the potash or any
other question. | write this 10
vou for you are entitled to have full
statement as To your satisfactory service,
written by him whom you have Worthlly
and well represented al the great capital
of Berlin.
Il make public this statement now for
the purpose of assuring my friends in
Europe and America Of my faithful al
legiance 10 the principles of loyalty by
which | have been actuated throughout
my official life, which has been of con-
siderable duration, and to show appre-
tIdllbll 81 lIlt stISt VI Ju'NiNN ~ ''''N''
the President was inspired in recogniz-
ing the wrong done me by others. whose
lmisrepresentations he has desired as far
as possible TO repair in circumstances
which | have reason to believe he at
present entirely understands
Ambassador Hill was not willing Ia
indicate more closely the persons he be-
lieves were interested in discreditins
him. Or. and Mrs. Hill will leave Ber-
lin tomorrow after luncheon which
will he given in their honor by Herr Won
Kideren Waechter, Secretary of For
eign Affairs. Or. Won Bethmann-H Holl-
veg, the Imperial Chancellor; Represen
tative Richard Bartholdt and G. B.
Wolfram. the special ambassadors OF
President Taft TO the unveiing of the
Won Steuben monument; Brigadlcr Cen
eral T.. A. darlington. inspector general
Of the United States army, and Briga-
dier General William w. Wotherspoon,
l.. :. A.. president Of the Army war Col
lcge. will also be present.
The porcelain to which DR.. Hill refers
Is nldSnlllCtHl NhS', tIiicS itOt III
height. decorated with pictures Of the
Emperor's palace.
Washington, Sept. 3-Ambassador liills
statement regarding his resignation from
the Berlin post was sequel to stories set
afloat upon the announcement of his resig
nation last spring, and his own declaration
later that neither potash nor lack oil
wealth had anything to do with his retire
meut The inference was That the post al
Berlin, highly desirable portfolio, was
wanted for Ambassador Leishman. then al
Rome. next in rank for the place, and a
close pcrsonal friend of Secretary of State
Knox Mr. Leshman was later appointed
Acting Secretary of State Wilson was In
Baltimore tonight. and no word was OBJ
tainable from the department with regard
to the incident.
When Dr. Hill was recalled to WashlnS-
TON Last March he conferred with state De
,.artment officials regarding the potash tar
IN controversy with Germany, tnen pend
ing. an acute and protracted issue. Almost
Immediately CORE ospondence between him
elf and President Taft embodyinS his
g.. si,natiou. to take effect in the summer.
was made pubic. Many conjectures were
a an dor %