Evening journal., 1914-06-23
New News Of Yesterday
How John Hay Made a
Diplomatic Success
BY Holland.

The late George Frederick william
Hollis had unusual opportunity at the
time Of the Spanish war for becom-
ing familiar with American diplo-
matists and American diplomatic
policies in England and on the con-
tinent OF Europe. For while war
with Spain was in progress it was
deemed expedient by President Nc
Kinley's administration that some at
tempt be made to give the people Of
Germany a correct understanding Of
what was this country's purpose with
respect TO Cuba. A considerable por-
tion of tho German press was appar-
emily endeavoring to create the I'M
preston that the United States
sought the acquisition Of Cuba, and
It was for this purpose that we had
brought on the war with Spain
Mr.. Hollis spoke German huently
and he was counsel for very large
German interests in the United
States. His name was a familiar one
In Germany, and the German people
had high confidence in him. He made
large number of addresses i'm Ger
many and published some communi-
cations to the German newspapers
which tended greatly to change public
sentiment there.
A year later, MIR. Hollis was ap-
pointed secretary of and counsel for
the American delegation to the peace
conference at The Hague His ser
vices there were held in high esteem
by Andrew d. White, who was chair
man of the American delegation
A year after Mr. Hollis return to
the United States | spent an after
noon with him. He was disposed
to comment freely on his experiences
when in Great Britain and upon the
continent of Europe. Among other
communications made to me was
one in which he spoke in words of
highest commendation Of John Hay,
who was Ambassador at the Court of
st. James at the time The Hague con-
ference was In session and before he
became Secretary of State at Wash
ington.
II learned a very important lesson
IN diplomacy from what was told me
of John Hays service to the United
States at the time of the war with
Spain' said Mr. Hollis. 1T was then
brought home to me in most re-
freshing manner that. after all, tact
and charm of personality, the
ability to inspire confidence and to
Justify confidence when 1t is given
are chief among the qualifications for
q great diplomatist.
"Of course John Hay had some
training in diplomacy. but ! presume
that was Of no especial value to him.
! was told when IN London that there
had never been a representative of
the United States at the Court Of ST.
James-not even James Russell
Lowell-who had so completely
gained the confidence of the high au-
thorities and who had won the admir-
alton and the respect Of every one
as had John Hay.
That made 1t all tho easier for
Mr.. Hay to serve President Mckinley
He received in social and informal
manner certain condolences, or rather
communications usually given in the
fern of hints. which we're among the
most important Influences which
caused President Mckinley to advo-
cate sovereignty over the Phillip
pines. It was az one social enter
tainment that Mr.. Hay learned in
formally that Great Britain would
look with disfayor upon the acquisi-
tion of the Philippines by any other
nation than the United States, where
IS there would be cordial, although
OF course not publicly expressed, ap-
proval in Great Britain II the United
States took over the sovereignty of
the islands. For it was believed that
the acquisition Of the Philippines by
any other nation would constitute a
serious menace to. peace. whereas the
dominance of the United States would
give strong guarantee for the main-
tenance Of peaceful conditions with
the far East
"a stiff, naughty. formal and
austere diplomat could not have OBJ
tanned at London the important infor-
nation which came to John Hay
really as a tribute to his personality
and to his tact