Evening star., 1921-05-16

sandstone" exclaimed the astonished
diplomat
T." cover UP the black places that
remained after the burning of the
huI.dlng. Col. liarts explained
An. so the building was burned
was 1t? And what canscd th, fire -
inquired the Hritish ambassador.
The British" said Col. Harts.
on. said Spring Rice
An incident happened in the Navy
department shortly before the world
war began, of which this story re-
minds me
Sir Robert Hadfield. an English ex-
pert in ordnance. was waiting to see
me about projectiles, and my aid was
showing him the trophies which
the Navy-and, by the way. that Office
is by far the finest in Washington.
ana nner than any government office
L saw In Europe. Among the trophies
displayed were the beautiful silver
gifts which had been presented 10
Commodore Hull for his eminent
service. My aid pointed to these with
much pride.
"He Did the English"
Hull? Hull?" unused Sir Robert
Name sounds familiar. but I confess
l cannot recall what he did" And ne
turned to the naval officer for en-
llghtenment. 1t came promptly.
He did the English. Sir Robert"
answered my aid.
The British ordnance expert saw
the point and laughed heartily.
In the days when the President
was trying TO straighten out the
Mexican situation. the policy of
watchful waiting so much misun-
derstood and so frequently misrep-
and jokesmiths with material which
they worked and overworkcd.
The criticism and ridicule to which
ms program was subjected by his
political opponents did not disturb
hlm. He had certain aims upon
II" was resolved that his policy
should be free from selfish interests.
either national or Individual. and
that he would not permit the United
States to aid Huerta in making gov
eminent by assassination" sue
cess.
Criticised by "Interexts."
The President was sharply criti-
c!sed by the "intercsts' behind
ment over his refusal to recognize
the assassin. Later he was criti-
ciZcd because he gave the Mexicans
a chance to control their own gov
ernment. unhindered and uninfu-
cnced by interests. British or Ameri-
Mexican resources.
1t is my own opinion. offered here
on the side, that if Mexico possessed
no oil or mineral wealth TO excite
the cupidity of outsiders she would
long ago have been able to obtain a
stable government.
The President was patient with
Mexico. He wrote several notes
state papers they were and will hold
their place among the great docu-
ments Of American di iplomacy--in the
hope of reaching an amicable ad-
justmcnt of differences. But his crit
les made fun Of the note writing
and one day, after he had read to
us one of these letters. IL member
of the cabinet said to him:
Mr.. President. do you think your
letters viii produce the desired re-
sult?"
Tells n Chicken Story.
The Presidents sense of humor was
quite equal to enjoying a joke at his
own expense. He could laugh at him.
self. He was satisfied he was doino
the right thing. but he was not ahsn,
lutely certain it would bring the re-
suits he sought He could get the
viewpoint of the public and Of his
critics on the series of notes he ha Il
addressed to Mexico. So he met ms
question of the cabinet member wit h
the following story:
once upon a time n gentleman who
had garden was greatly ANNOYED h..
cause his ncighbor's chickens uouId
fly over the fence and eat or scratch
up his young vegetables. He told his
neighbor of the bad behavior OF his
chickens. and received the promise