The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-24
Bryan'S Successor Sworn In as
~ Secretary of State.
Many Diplomats and High OFF,
i. cials Witness Ceremony.
APPOINTMENT PLEASES ALL
Republicans as Well as Demo-
Gratis Gratified With Selection.
New Premier q Man of Many
Accomplishments.

Washington, June 24.-The United
States government today notified all
foreign governments of the appoint
ment of Robert Lansing to be secre-
tary of state. Notice was also sent to
all diplomats and consular represen-
tatives of the United States in foreign
countries.
Mr.. Lansing took the oath of office
today as the successor to William Jen-
nings Bryan. High officials, diplomats
and close personal friends were on
hand to witness the ceremony and to
extend their congratulations
Few appointments in recent years
have given such widespread satisfac-
ton in the national capital. Mr.. Lam
sing is a lifelong Democrat, but he
has devoted his time to international
law and diplomacy and is as popular
with former, Republican officials as
with his colleagues. Members of the
cabinet who talked with the president
on the subject were unanimous in
their recommendation that he should
be appointed. Colonel E. NJ. House
and other close personal friends of the
president advised tn selection and
Mr. Bryan himself, although not con-
suited, is understood to have hoped
for the promotion of Mr.. Lansing.
Appointments Announced.
Official announcement of the selec-
ton of Mr.. Lansing, who has been
serving as secretary ad interim since
the resignation of Mr. Bryan on June
8, was made in the following state
ment issued from the White House at
6 o'clock Wednesday night:
Before leaving this evening for
brief rest in New Hampshire, the
president announced that he had Of
fered the post of secretary of state to
Mr.. Robert Lansing, the present coun-
selor of the department of state, and
that Mr.. Lansing had accepted the ap-
pointment.'
hi nh
President Wilson signed, giving Mr..
Lansing a recess appointment. When
congress reconveneS the nomination
will go to the senate. No opposition
to his appointment is anticipated.
One of the peculiar circumstances
in connection with Mr.. Lansings ap
pointment is the fact that he person
ally has no political backing or influ-
ence. Succeeding w. ]. Bryan, fore
most among the leaders of the Demo-
cratic party, comparatively un-
known quantity in the political world
has been ushered into the premiership
of the cabinet. This very fact, indeed,
commended itself to the presidents
advisers as a reason for the appoint
ment of Mr.. Lansing, the argument
being advanced that at so critical a
time in the nations history, the people
of the United States wished all po-
litical considerations subordinated.
Familiar With Duties.
Mr.. Lansing takes office thoroughly
ization of the department of state,
conversant with confidential details of
all the important negotiations conduct
ed by the United states since the Will
son administration b~gan. Moreover,
he mas a wide knowledge of politics
under previous administrations, and
an especially intimate acquaintance
with Mexican affairs and Far Eastern
diplomacy.
Mr. Lansing is 81 years of age, a
native of WATERFOWL, n. Y, and a
descendant of the family of John
Lansing, who represented New York
in the constitutional convention in
1887 at Philadelphia and later was
chancellor of the state of New York.
After graduation from Amherst col
1ege in 1886 Mr.. Lansing chose the
profession of his father and ancestors
the law-and continued in private
practice except when retained by the
American government or foreign ma
tons in important cases. He enjoys
the distinction of having represented
the United States in more interna-
tional arbitrations than any other liv-
ing American and a French authority
recently wrote that Mr.. Lansing prob
ably had had a longer and broader
experience in international arbitration
and had appeared more frequently
before international tribunals than
any living lawyer.
Popular With Diplomats.
Mr. Ian ng was one of the found
ers of the American Society of Inter
national Law and has written a book
on constitutional law. He has asso-
ciated for years with diplomatists at
home and abroad and is well liked by
members of the diplomatic corps here.
For many years, Mr.. Lansing, who
is a man of considerable means, has
lived here with his father-in-law,
John w. Foster, who was secretary of
state under President Harrison. Mrs.
Lansing is one of the popular MEM
bers of the official and diplomatic cir
Gle having breathed the atmosphere
of diplomacy since childhood. They
have no children.
Aside from his success as lawyer
and diplomatist, Mr.. Lansing is
known to his friends a devoted and
thing of a baseball fan, a skiilful land
scape painter, as well as a craftsman
and the possessor of the gift of voice
known to his friends but not the gem
eral public.
The appointment of Mr.. Lansing as
secretary creates a vacancy in the Of
flee of counsellor of the state depart
, ment- 1t is not expected that any i'm
mediate selection will be made as
Chandler Anderson, counsellor under
the administration of Secretary Knox
for several months, has been specially
employed tc handle some of the nu-
merous questions which the war
raised.
Mr. Anderson does not desire a per-
manent appointment. 1t is consid-
cred very likely that President Wilson
viii leave to Mr. Lansing the task of
selecting his counsellor.