The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-27
"kNOCKED INTO 4 COCkED NAT"
Has the President NJ Last DOne what lie
wished 20 DO Long Ago"

| To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir. Some
years ago President Wilson inquired OF
| one of his correspondents whether he
could not suggest a way to "knoc,
+, Bryan into a cooked hat" The Presi.
dent has now done this by appointing
him Secretary Of State. In that office
Mr.. Bryan has confirmed the suspicion
that he cannot fill an executive position
successfully. and has been criticised for
| alleged want OF tact. knowledge, indus
| try. ability and business Judgment,
MIR. Bryan's diplomacy compares with
the real thing as grape juice does with
the choice vintages of Burgundy and
| Champagne. Some of Its fruits are
failure to hold elections In Hayti. worse
confusion in Mexico and q deadlock
with Japan. His failure to answer the
| last named Powers note Of August IL
may I've regarded leniently. however, be-
cause 1t has been a busy time on the
Chautauqua circuit.
The Secretary Of State apparently
| Views these failures with comparative
serenity; but he seems to get excited
about the grape Juice issue. and must
have lost much sleep over II. Here, It
must be allowed. he has accomplished
something In introducing his favorite
beverages into the aristocratic inte-
riors Of dignified diplomats formerly
immune to soft drinks"
Within his Department, as was ex-
pected. Mr.. Bryan has surrounded him
self with a group of his proteges who are
drawing good salaries as experts" in
matters which most Of them know lit
tie or nothing about and have shown no
great aptitude for. The Hon. John Bas-
sett Moore. LII. d., the we'll known au-
thority on international law, who Is
also the Departments principal law
officer. usually gets most OF the credit
for averting an absolute breakdown.
Mr.. Bryan has also bestowed upon
the diplomatic service Of the United
States a number Of patriots whose pic
lures look like clippings from rural
weeklies. Evidently some of them are
themselves dubious about their own
qualifications. and the statement Of one
of them on this point Is rich in humor:
but they all seem sure that they need
the money So far as Is generally
known these amateur statesmen are
doing as well as could be expected
They and Mr.. Bryan are thoroughly
enjoying their new places. but prem
tice hands at diplomacy are always
best pleased with themselves when
they are mixing things up.
The latest move of Mr. Bryan's
friends Is to propose Congressional
investigation Of the wicked writer's who
they suspect are Conspir!ng TO create
an atmosphere of hostility to the Sec
rotary OF state BY ribald gibes about
grape Juice and chautauQuas. Is the
liberty of the press to be the next
object Of populistic attack? II seems
10 be Mr.. Bryan himself who has Gre
lted the atmosphere complained Of, not
through his party's policies which are
driving Americans out of Mexico and
into Canada hut by his own innova-
lions. Congress IL also being prompted
To- investigate the Canadian Govern
ment's alleged action IN enticing Ameri-
can emlgrants 10y advertisements why
NOT attach a ball and chain to every
American who may be suspected OF an
inclination to avail himself Of the un-
doubleday great advantages to be found
in Canada?
Mr. Bryan's total eclipse by President
Wilson il an instance of the triumph
of mind over matter. Mr.. Wilson is
not merely master OF the situation: he
is the situation. He Is running away
with his party and the Congress, and
Is having his own way about reform
ing" business by the conservative ap-
pllcatlon OF radical laws He tanned
the raging carabao. Al Mobile he was
the United States: The United States
Will never again seek one additional
foot Of territory by conquest" In his
latest message he was the country:
The country wants law permitting
the Interstate Commerce Commission
10 superintend' railroad finances.
Whatever practical objections there
may he To the Presidents theories they
are certainly preferable To Mr.. Bryan~
Mr. Wilson has, perhaps inadvertently,
Knocked Bryan Into "A cooked hat"
In each II his three campaigns for the
Presidency Mr.. Bryan has poiied a
smaller vote. relatively, 10 his Republic
can opponents than did Mr.. Wilson. by
placing him where he could reveal his
limitations the President has preempted
the next Democratic nomination. and
has completed the eXorc.sm OF the spec
ire ~ Organism. Business should pick
up accordingly. MACHIAvELLI.
NEW York. January rs.
(uriOu Biir Of \ntLFicidrr Democrats.