The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-09
By HOLLAND

NeW LOIK, June o. -NOpcCidht-- Charles E. Hughes, Secretary of State, no doubt knows that James c. Blaine when he sat at the desk which is now Secretary Hughes, warmly advocated a confederation or some other inter national agreement whereby the Gen. tral American republics could be brought together in close associa- tion. For it was almost an echo from afar of something which sounds in the words of approval spoken by Secretary Hughes at a luncheon recently given in his honor by the minister from Nicaragua to the United States.
 Of course, Secretary Hughes did not commit the United tSates in any way, so far as methods or manner of con- federation are concerned But he did make it clear that if confederation were organized the government of the United States would regard it with qualification.
 Biaine's view was that confedera- tion of the Central American states would lead to vastly increased com tA these Central American republics. It ould be certain to secure financial aid from the United States. It would tend greatly to strengthening cordial relations between this country and the nations south of us, and this feel ing would extend ultimately through out South America
 Secretary Hughes appears to take the same view. For he went so far as to say that through agreement made by these Central American states freely entered into the possible mu- tual advantages would be fully real ized. That means not only advan- tage to the Central American confed- eration. but reciprocal advantage to the United States.
 This incident, which for an hour or two interrupted the arduous toll to which the Secretary of State has sub- mitted. throws in some measure a light upon his purposes during the hot season. Some who are of kin to him say that he sees no vacation possible, even for two or three weeks, from the imperative responsibilities which are to be upon the state department for the next year or two.
 For that reason the Secretary plans to remain in Washington throughout
 
 day. The infrequent holidays when the departments are closed will find him at the home established by Gen eral Pershing on the banks of the Po- |rtomac about 20 miles below washing ton. There the breezes from the river and some which occasionally find their way with ocean fragrance from Chesapeake bay insure comfort at night, at least. The Secretary will journey back and forth between this summer place and his office every day by motor, making the 20 miles in about one hour.
 Secretary Hughes and the Chief Jus-
 ticeship
 Occasionally reports come from Washington intimating that by and by President Harding may transfer Secretary Hughes from the state de- partment to the chair of chief justice of the supreme court. Even if the President ever contemplated remotely action of that kind he certainly now knows that Secretary Hughes will not go back to the supreme court. The Secretary believes that the state de- partment during this administration Is to have responsibilities and oppor- tunities unsurpassed even in the days of the Civil war, when Secretary Sew ard was so successfully administering the state department as to prevent European complications. Charles F. Hughes was not elected President five years ago, but his administration of the state department may in great measure make good that defeat both for himself and for the country. He is not appalled, by the magnitude of work which may be imposed upon him Like one of his predecessors, Elihu Root. he is capable of prolonged and intense application to work.
 Rising at m Early Hour
 John Quincy Adams when he was Secretary of State, and later when he was President, was accustomed to rise at o'clock and give an hour or two before breakfast to work which was at hand. When MT. Hughes returned to New York in 1916 to resume the practice of law he found himself inn mediately in possession of highly re- munerative clientage. But his profes- :