Evening star., 1938-10-11
PRIVATE PAPERS
OF HAY DISPLAYED
Confidential Correspondence
on Diplomatic Issues
Brought to Public.
By JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

by JAMES NALDO AVCEl1.
Diplomatic correspondence which
once was confidential and private"
and mot to be filed" is included in
memorial exhibition Of manuscripts
and books now on display at the
Library of Congress in homage to
John Hay, Secretary of State from
1898 until his death on July /. 1905.
The letters shown were written to
President William Mckinley. Presi-
dent Theodore Roosevelt, Ambassador
Joseph H. Choate, Senator John T.
Morgan of Alabama, Sir Julian Qater
Baron) Pauncefote and other famous
men of the last years of the 10th
century and the earliest of the Goth
Most of them concern negotiations
relating to the open door policy
in China, the second Panama Canal
treaty, the Alaskan boundary ques-
ton and various problems arising
from the Spanish American War. All
are indicative of difficulties involving
Great Britain, Germany, Russia
France and Japan, as well as the
United States. 1t was a period of
tension, and that fact is reflected
in the language employed.
Proves Diplomacy Of Hay.
But none of the correspondence is
discreditable to either the author or
the recipients. Rather, Mr.. Hays
reputation as an honorable diploma
tist is enhanced by the exhibition.
He was tactful, yet he did not dis
semble. Perhaps no great harm would
have been done had the letters been
published when they were written.
The most drastic opinions contained
in them are exemplified in a note
to Theodore Roosevelt in which Mr..
Hay refers to the indiscretions of
some of our fool friends"
A few of the papers shown are
exceedingly informal. One is a mes
sage to Secretary of War Elihu Root.
dated January II, 1900, suggesting
that seating arrangements at cabinet
meetings be family fashion; another
is brief memorandum to Dear
Theodore" and the answer to Dear
John" from IT. R.
OF particular interest are: A draft
of a letter for Theodore Roosevelt to
send to Lord Pauncefote for King
Edward VII; Mr.. Hays draft Of Pres
ident McKinley's Thanksgiving procla-
nation, 1898; a signed carbon copy
of Mr.. Hays public announcement"
of President McKinley's funeral, Sep
tow, hnr at
Mr. Hay to Theodore Roosevelt, read
ing: Il signed the Panama treaty
at Sis" January %, 1908.
Discusses Peace Terms.
Also, Mr.. Hays letter to President
Mckinley, referring to the death of
his son, Adelbert Hay, written from
Newburg, N. H.. June %, 1901; cable
message from Mr.. Hay to his prede-
Cessor, Secretary of State William r..
Day. concerning peace terms with
Spain, July %, 1898; Mr.. Hays letter
to President Mckinley regarding the
annexation of the Philippine Islands,
October 27, 1898, and several letters
written by Mr.. Hay for President
Lincoln to sign.
The exhibition fills 16 frames of
two large cases and three shelves
of special glass case in the south
gallery of the second floor of the
Library Materials for its were Sc
lected from the WadsWorth. Choate,
Mckinley and Roosevelt collections by
permission of the heirs"
Joaquin Miller Note Included.
Several frames contain correspond
cnce between Mr.. Hay and John G..
Ncolay concerning their 10-volume
biography of Lincoln. There likewise
are several letters from Robert Lincoln
and characteristic note from Joaquin
Miller. the letterhead showing a
sketch of his cabin in Rock Creek
Park.
Mr.. Hays own career as a poet is
traced through successive editions of
his ballads Jim Bludso" and Little
Breeches' and his Pike County"
verses; his social study" THE Bread
Winners; his memorial address be-
fore both houses of Congress on the
life of President Mckinley, February
p, 1902; his early letters, assembled
by Caroline Ticknor, under the title
"A Poet in Exile" 1910, and printed
copies Of various songs for which he
wrote the words also are on display.
The show opened on Saturday, the
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