Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-09
Editorial Comment


II would be little short of Il national
calamity If John Bassett Moore, the
mr.. sent counsellor of the state depart
ment and by the Presidents designa-
ton it's acting head in Bryan's fire.
mcnt absences. should now retire. His
announced leave of absence, for a
longer and more infinite period than
the customary vacation. taken in con-
nection with the known lack OF har-
mony between him and his superior
lends some credence to the omnious
report
1t is difficult for persons at this dis
lance from the national capital to re-
alize the diskearteHing Generalization
that now prevails in the state Depart
ment. Moore has been its one saving
element The first assistant secretary
is Wyoming apothecary, who was
carried into the governorship OH pop
ulistic wave, and has always been a
thick and thin supporter of the peer
less leader
Bryan, evidently not knowing what
to do with his Wyoming novice in d.
plomaeY, sent him To Santo Domingo,
astensirly to study the Dominican Gus
toms service, but In reality 10 find
places for free-slvef Democrats. Nil
Osborne confided to friends that he
knew nothing about Santo Domingo
hut would read up on it,. No soon
CT had he got back to Washington than
his nose was put out of JOINT ON md
ing that President Wilson had GIrang-
ed to have Mr.. Moore serve as acting
secretary when Bryan was away, III
Their than Osborne, TO whom the honor
would ordinarily fall. A merry row
followed. Bryan took Oseornes part
The President, defending Moofe's sta-
tus, is said to have compromised with
the understa ndng that the learned de
pleanat would not BE permanently re-
tanned in the department. But this
has been only one Of his troubles. he
obtained from the newspapers his flrst
information regarding the message
sent by Mr.. Lind to Mexico. only
when Huerta threatened Lind with de-
perta ton was Moores experienced
hand called into requisition
Dudley Field Malone. the new third
assistant secretary of state. in charge
Of western European relations. is at
same time to practise law In New
York City, dividing his time between
the two. This has never before been
attempted The seeming inadequacy
of official salaries has become epidem-
ic under the present administration
These sufiiced to get the undivided at
tcntion of good men under John Hay
and E,lihu Root: but not now. Even
when Mr.. Malone is serving the gov
eminent it is not SO much in study
ing western European relations as In
trailing eastern United States in mat
tiers Of political adjustment.
The raid which the Bryan outfit has
made on the diplomatic and consular
service is too we'll known to need re-
cital. Some of the overturns would
he amusing were not the credit of our
country involved. The head of Lat
in-American bureau was dismissed by
\ telegram sent collect White Bfy-
an was on a stumping tour, and his
place filled by man whom Bryan
had met travelling in Mexico for an
American drug firm. Drugs and d.
nlomacy thus seem to him strangely
allied. The stenographer who report
cd Bryan's campaign speeches In MS
several races for the presidency has
been found peculiarly available as
foreign trade adviser. And so 1t goes
If one cares for further specifications
one might read an article in the Tran
script of a recent date. entitled How
Long Will Bryan Last? evidently the
work of an insider in the department.
In the diplomatic affairs of the ad-
ministration a differentiation should
he made between those which are OF
Bryar and those which are of Wilson.
The latter wrote the message Whicn
be read to Congress. Bryan doubtless
wrote the Lind instructions, Win the
condition peculiarly offensive 10 Lat
in-Americans which our government
sort thereby to impose. MI wilson
is to be pitied. He doubtless felt that
rarty harmony required the recogni-
ten OF Bryan by this appointment ana
to avoid giving offence, he is yielding
to, BRYAN in matters of patronage ano
nolicv. to the serious injury of the ad-
ministraticn.
IN these circumstances Jonn oasset'
Moore must not be allowed TO retire
He is the sense and sanity or the oe-
pertinent The President needs MN
The country needs him. Meanwhile
we are treated to the Illuminating spec
tacle of the secretary himself galll-
wanting about the country cohfesseu-
" on a sheckle- gathering quest, Whiie
interna tional relations of the most dei-
icate character remain perplexlpg.
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Tobacco.