Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-05
Resignation Rendered Feb. 2.

Although the resignation had been in
 the presidents hands since Feb. last,
 to take effect today, this fact had not
 been generally known. There had been
 reports several months ago that the
 counsellor of the state department did
 not find his labors entirely congenial.
 and was about to resign. but these re- ports were promptly denied at the officially explained today, that MT.
 Moore had come into the administra- ton with a definite understanding that his tenure was provisional for a year,
 so that he could return at the expira- ton of that period to his duties as head of the department of international
 law at Columbia university. This fact was strongly emphasized in the official correspondence made public tonight. Favored Recognition of Huerta. Although the statements-one from President Wilson, one from MT. Bryan, and Mir. Moore's own letter of resigna- tion-rnade no mention of the subject it is 8 matter of common report that MT. Moore's personal viewpoint on
 some of the most important policies re- lating to foreign affairs were not ai- ways in accord with those of his su- periors At the same time, 1t has been recognized that he gave unswerving loyalty and unprejudiced counsel to the ful1llment of the policies as finally adopted. It Is said in this connection | that when the question of recognizing the Huerta government was being dis
 cussed, MT. Moore, when called upon for an opinion, submitted menoran- dunn citing precedents by which the United States would be justified In recognizing the. Huerta government.
 Previous to Mfr. Moore's appointment however, the general policy of the ad- ministration not to recognize govern ments set up by arbitrary force had been outlined in a statement from President Wilson. When 1t was den- nitely determined not to recognize the
 tributed his energies to carrying out the policy officially determined upon. Often Sat at Cabinet Table. During the diplomatic controversy
 with Japan arising out of the passage by California of an anti-alien land law MT. Moore was constantly consulted by the president, and his counsel was the American attitude. When MT. bryan was in California, Mir. Moore was acting secretary of state, and in
 frequent conference with the presi-
 dent on the Japanese question, At all times during MT. Bryan's ab- sences from Washington MT. Moore
 was acting secretary of state and oe-
 casionally sat at the cabinet table,
 Mir. Moore's letter accompanying his resignation. under date of Feb. 2, was
 as follows:
 Text of Resignation.
 ''Bfy Dear Mir. President:
 ''In resigning the office of counsellor
 for the department of state it is proper
 to recall the fact that I indicated at the outset that my tenure was only
 provisional. my sole motive in accept ing the place being to render to your
 administration such service as might
 be possible in a period of transition, This design is now fulfilled. My first term of departn ental service, which began, moro than 2S years ago, lasted somewhat more than six years; my second. which was followed by special
 service abroad, lasted barely five
 months. My present term will, on the day on which my resignation is to take effect, have lasted more than ten
 months, while a full year will have elapsed since the close of the last ad-
 ministration. Ample opportunity hay ing thus been afforded for the effective organization of the departments force,
 the duty which I took upon myself has
 been fully performed.
 Permit me to assure you that l
 shaH always stand ready to serve you, as far as may be practicable. in any capacity in which there may seem to be an opportunity for usefulness.
 Believe me to be, my dear MT. President with constant wishes for your health and prosperity, and for the continued success of your admin istration,
 'fVery respectfully and truly yours, "JOHN BASSETT MOORE" To Return to Columbia University.
 Both President Wilson and Secretary Bryan pay high tribute to Mir. Moore's
 services and express regret at his re- tirement.
 Mir. Moore said tonight he would re- main in Washington for 8 month or six weeks to complete the work he is doing for the Carnegie endowment for international peace and the nresume
 his place at the head of the depart ment of international law at Colum- bia university