The Washington herald., 1914-06-23
HISTORY BUILDERS.
How John Hay Made a Diplomatic
Written ezpresdy Tor The Herald
ny DIR. r. J. EDWARDS.

written ezprrssly Tor The Herald
ny DIR. E. J. EDWARDS.
The late George Frederick William
Hollis had unusual opportunity at the
time Of the sanfsh war for becoming
familiar with American diplomatists and
American diplomatic policies In England
and on the continent 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 Ger
many a correct understanding OF what
was this country's purpose with respect
to Cuba. A considerable portion of the
German press was apparently endeavor-
ing 20 create the impression that the
United States sought the acquisition of
Cuba, and II 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 a large number OF ad-
dresses in Germany and published some
communications to the German newspa-
pers which tended greatly to change pub
lie sentiment there.
A year later. Mr.. Hollis was appointed
secretary of and counsel for the Amer
lean delegation to the peace conference
at The Hague. His services there were
held In high esteem by Andrew ID. White.
who was chairman Of the American dele
cation.
year after Mr.. Hollis return TO the
United States ] spent an afternoon with
him Ha dfannaaA fn fraa1Ks
on his experiences when in Great Brit
ain 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 conference
was in session and before he became
Secretary Of State at Washington.
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. "It was then brought home
20 me in a most refreshing manner that.
after all, tact ard a charm Of personal
lty. the ability to inspire confidence and
to Justify confidence when II Is given are
chief among the Qualifications for a great
diplomatist.
.'Of course John Hay had some training
in diplomacy. but l 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 authorities and who had won the
admiration and the respect Of every one
as had John Hay.
That made Il all the easier for Mr.
Hay to serve President Mckinley He
received in a social and Informal manner
certain condolences. or rather communi-
cations usually given in the form of
hints. which were among the most i'm
portant influences (which caused Presi-
dent Mckinley TO advocate sovereignty
over the Philippines. II was at one so
cial entertainment that Mr.. Hay learned
informally that Great Britain would look
with disfavor upon the acquisition Of the
Philippines by any other nation than the
United States. whereas there would be
cordial although Of course not publicly
expressed, approval in Great Britain II
the United States took over the SOW
ereignty of the islands For Il was be-
lieved that the acquisition Of the Philip
pines by any other nation would consti-
tute a serious menace to peace. whereas
the dominance Of the United States
would give strong guarantee for the
maintenance of peaceful conditions with
the far East.
"A stiff. naughty. formal and austere
diplomat could not have obtained at Lon
don the important informal ton which
came to John Hay really as a tribute to
his personality and to his tact"
Copyright. 1914. By z. J. Eduards An rirhts re-
SsrTedl
Tomorrow Dr. Edwards will tell OF
Senator ingalls, and His Extempore
Speeches"