The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-21
Assistant Secretary Objects to
Reversal of Policy To-
wards China
/ GIVES LECTURE TO
PRESIDENT WILSON
Chief Executive Promptly Ac-
cepts Resignation to Take
Effect at Once---Long
in Service

WASHINGTON. March 2o.-That
President Wilson, in his reversal Of
the national policy toward China. has
raised an issue which will not inn
mediately subside, was indicated to-
day by the announcement of the.
resignation of Huntington Wilson. as
acting secretary of state, and the
making public of his letter to the
president.
The acting secretary considered
himself in a humiliating and unten-
able position, when he discovered
through the newspapers that tho
policy with which he had been most
Intimately connected had been dis
carded practically overnight by the
new administration. He objected that
he had not been consulted by Presi-
dent Wilson, although he was actually
at the head OF the state department.
IN Secretary Bryan's absence, and tn
fact had consented at considerable
personal sacrifice, and at the solicita~
ton of Secretary Bryan to remain on
as assistant secretary of state and
give the new administration the bene~
fit of his familiarity with the foreign
relations of the United States.
Criticises Administration.
Mr., Wilson informed the president
that he could no longer serve under
an administration which had acted
SO hastily, nor could he attempt to, Z
reflect the views of the president on
matters of foreign policy. The act
ing secretary of state set forth his
views not only on his own position,
but also on the acts and methods of
the new administration. in such a
sharp manner that his letter caused
a big stir in official circles. Most
| everybody sympathized with him IN
! his complaint of the humiliation to
which he had been subjected, but this
feeling in his favor was offset by
criticism of his attempt to Lectures
the new president.
Despite this situation President Will
son today wired Secretary Bryan that
he need not shorten his trip to Nee
braska, and that he would not be
expected in Washington before March
27th.
Powers Not Notified.
/ Absolutely no step, it was learned
today has been as yet taken TO notify
the governments of the other five
I powers with whom the United States
has been in negotiation for the last
} four years regarding China, and NOT
even the government of China itself.
that the Chinese policy OF the United
States has been overturned.
huntington wilson tonight declined
/ to discuss the matter of his resiEna-
ton, beyond referring inquirers to his
\ letter To the president He expects
/ to renew his original plans for vas
/ cation in Europe, and probably win
sail early in April. ssfss
Letters Exchanged.
/ His letter to the president read In
! part:
When consented. at the reauest
/ of Mr.. Bryan, anG In Difference to
what / understood to be your wishes.
! To continue in Office for these few
weeks longer, / believe l was justified
| in assuming that there would be no
radical departure from the practice of
I this and other countries whereby the
various officials of the foreign Office
/ is made use or in the study Of great
I questions of foreign policy.
| Il had no reason to suppose that
the officials on duty in the department.
/ of state would learn first from thu
| newspapers of a declaration of policy
which. / think, shows on Its face the
4 inadequacy of the consideration given
/ to the facts and theories involved iii
/ the failure clearly to apprehend tho
| motives leading to and the purposes
of the policy superseded.
I Il had no reason to suppose that
the fate of negotiations which SO LONG
3
/ foreign officers of six great powers
would be abruptly determined with
such quite unnecessary haste and II
such an unusual manner. The4s
| methods, against which | respectfully
I protest. I feel vitiate my understands
I ing with Mr.. Bryan and completely
relieve me of any further Obligation
/ in the premises.
( II have always thought that in tho
work of advancing the national in
terests and promoting the welfare OF
/ other nations, the financial force az 4
! the United States could be marshaIe{ i
! in some manner to present safeiYs;
united front abroad, where 1t would
he like the apex of a triangle, but
would have at it's base broad euuafitx
! of opportunity, both for citizens De-
string to invest and for the hankAr0
desiring to engage in these dififculk
and relatively risky ventures. 1
reached are expressed upon other
I grounds
Immediately upon receipt of this
/ letter President Wilson wrote: i
( ALLOW me to acknowledge the re-
| ceipt OF your letter of yesterday ana
4 to say that I accept your resignatiOyk
as you suggest as of the present.
date" am
/ In Service Sixteen Years @
I Mr.. Wilson's final withdrawal froN1a!
the state department takes out Of t6(
/ diplomatic service OF the United StAt1y
one who has had sixteen years 2xS
perience most of which was In c0y(SS
nection with matters pertaining "a t7f~
Far East. Mr.. Wilson drew up a ~ n
official at the state department. Ng
.sgentleman's agreement" which N11
Mr. Roots solution of the vexAtl0S
! and dangerous issue with Japan. Nyx
| immigration, and he has for yeG1
Z - u s~fS - q ~ =
partment on foreign relations In
Far East. SssSS3|a