Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-12

'ation OF Robert Lansing, counselor Of
the State Department. TO the position
OF acting secretary. with a chance TINT
he may hold the post permanently. has
| erected change in his status moro
apparent than real. Not even the pres
ence OF 1.ansinG's signature at the end
| OF the note sent to Germany denotes
more than a change in form and title
| IN Mr.. LansinS's real position in the
department OF State. since most of the
notes signed by Secretary Bryan in the
! last few months have been basicaliy
the product OF his counselor
| In placing Mr.. Lansing In full charge
| OF the state Department. pending the
selection OF permanent successor to
| Bryan. the President has done little
| more than give him the title and the
more complete responsibility. IL has
| peen Mr. Lansing's counsel. his con-
| struction OF the Law. which have form
| cd the basis of most OF the Presidents
decisions In the great international
| problems with which he has had 10
deal since the war in Europe began.
bryan Jealous of Pence Hobby.
MIR. Hryan has not even profcssed
any great interest In the problems
which have resulted in the series OF
notes TO Great Britain and Germany.
Not until the situation with Germany
reached the point where the admins
trations course seemed to conflict with
Bryan's pet peace hobby did Bryan
| really attempt to take a large part in
shaping this governments policy. In
problems involving the neutrality of
/ the United States or the maintenance
of the United States rights aga!ns,
the acts Of bclligcrents. Bryan was
construct!vely always absent and Lam
sing construCt!vely was acting score
tary Consideration of these prob
lens was really the task Of the minds
OF the President and Lansing. with
~ al. i,,to
ties.
None OF tho many strange changes
effected b. tho war In Europe has been
more remarkable than the rise of
Robert Lansing from the comparative
ohscurity OF the practice Of his pro-
fession as an international lawyer 10
virtually the place next 10 the Presi-
| dent in the conduct OF Americas for
| cign relations. In the last few months
| his name has become almost a house
| hold word as IL was more and more
! publicly connected with the considera-
tion or the grave issues which alb
sorbed the attention OF the govern
ment and tho country. Diplomats.
business men and the general public
have come TO look 10 Lansing both for
action and information in matters
concerned with our foreign relations.
Without any known political aspira-
ions. with practically no political rec
great figure In one OF the history-mak-
ing political crises Of the government.
Intrigue Played No Part.
Suspicious persons may find food for
| speculation in Mr. Lansing's rapid rise
! in the councils Of the government and
| his dominant position In the hours fol-
| lowing Mr.. Bryan's retirement. Moth
| Ing could be further from the truth.
! however. than the idea that intrigue
| has played any part in Lansing's year
| In the State Department.
The most striking and characteristic
| about the man has been his natural
! modesty. an absolute simplicity OF
manner and thought. and a complete
| lack OF any apparent desire TO AFRO
gate TO himself any influence or posi-
| ton not inherently part of his posi-
! t!on counselor OF the State De-
| partment. Lansing never has regard
| ed himself as a part OF the political
side OF the administration, but always
| has regarded himself as Araned
man in international Law called in by
the State Department to assist in the
solution OF its legal problems.
! or his loyalty TO the President and
| TO Secretary Bryan there has never
| been a question, because all who know
| him realize TO what lengths OF self
sacrifice he was willing to go in SER
vice to both men. Radically disagree
| ing with many of Mr.. Bryan's views,
/
! OF state was ever known to escape
Iansngs lips. In fact, he has often
| been known 10 bespcak for Mr. Bryan
more favorable consideration than he
received from the public and press in
the last year
Democrat. hut No Politician.
Lansings appointment as Secretary
OF state would be generally commend
! ed 8 wise one by all who know him
and would he essentially nonpolitical.
1t just happens that he is Demo
crat, but no mans political Affiliations
ever counted for less In connection
| with public ONCE. Not half OF Wash
ington knows to-day whether he is
| listed as a Republican or Democrat:
he has been generally regarded as
| wholly nonpartisan.
His appointment to the Office Of
secretary would be comparable to the
appointment Of a soldier to be Score.
| tary of War or iinancier to be Sec
rotary OF the Treasury. He is the
| expert, the authority OF the laws that
exist as between nations, and the
| student Of the methods by which gov
| ernments conduct their relations with
one another. IT Is as such. and not as
a political adviser, that Lansing has
| been SO frequently consulted by the
President and has won his absolute
| confidence.
| 1t is because Mr.. Lansing, through
lifelong training in international law
and the business Of governments with
each other la so firmly established In
| the principles that govern foreign re-
lations that his appointment as sccre-
! tary undoubtedly would be commend
| ed IS wise one. His feet are planted
| firmly on the solid foundations Of fact
and principle; his training and expert
| eace have never admitted the coming
| into play Of any theories Of government
or doctrines for the attainment of the
| dealist3' dreams.
He Is Not nm IdeaIist.
Lansing has had TO deal with fact
and conditions. and his judgments are
| based largely on the teachings OF ex-
| perience and what has happened be-
| fore. He has no dreams to visualize.
| no hobbies to serve. and no illusions to
overcome. These facts, while contrib
uting to make him safe and sane adj.