Evening star., 1915-02-25
CRITICAL DAYS FOR U.S.,
VIEW OF ROBERT LANSING
State Department Counselor De.
fends Administration and Re-
views War Problems.

NEW YORK, February 23.-Rober'
Lansing, counselor for the State De-
partment in q speech before seven
hundred alumni of Amherst College al
their annual banquet here last nleh'
declared that these were critical da3s
for the United States. how critica
only those who are in intimate touei
with affairs can realize. The EURO
pean war he said, had raised series ol
problems which had never before been
solved and the liability of error, the
danger of unintentionai partiallty ana
the constant complaint of me or an
other of the .belligerents makes the
path of neutrality rough and uncer-
tain.
Mr.. Lansing expressed disapproval OF
the suggestion that diplomatic of1cers
be placed under civil service rules, ana
defended President Wilson and Secre-
fary Bryan against critlcish Ina. ~
failed to retain diplomats who had peeli
named by former administrations
Not in Touch With Administration.
These diplomats could not be expect
ed. he said TO support the foreign poIi-
cies of the present administration ori
men who comprehended and were III
sympathy with these policies and were
enthusiastic in carrying them out, 1he
serted.
Il must say that the emphatic opin-
ions of some of our former representa-
tives are rather amusing, Wheh one
considers that they would never nave
been appointed under civil service
rules" said Mr.. Lansing
when it comes to the principal posts
abroad 1 am strongly opposed to tying
the hands of the President in any way
If we had obtained all our ambassa-
dorS and ministers by promotion we
would not have had such men at Lon
don as L. ]. Phelps and Joseph n.
and Brand Whitlock. Such men, mex
perienced in diplomatic practice but
equipped with qualities which com
mand respect and achieve success, are
American diplomacy
Confronted by Novel Problems.
Diplomacy today is wrestling with
novel problems. to which it must apply
natural Justice and practical common
sense Neutral nations have to meet
series of problems which have never
been solved. The liza ability of error, the
danger of unintentional partiality and
the constant complaint of one or an
other of the belligerents make the pain
of neutrality rough and uncertain
Things have to be done, not Studled,
these DAYS The motto, DO it now, is
not piece of advice in the Department
of State: it is a command A question
which is week old is ancient history
Considering the customary slow and
dignified way of diplomacy, this 'toucn-
and-go' method of doing business was
a decided innovation, and compelled
radical change in the machinery
through which our foreign affairs are
conducted.
To-day, when nations are swayed
with unreasonable passion. when preJu-
dice blinds them, when they see red
when they misjudge their friends as
well as their foes, is the time for us
TO avoid harsh judgment, to preserve
calmness in dealing with them. and to
curb the natural resentment which
arises when our acts are misinterpreted
and we are charged with wrong mo-
xives and purposes"
American citizens, he concluded. could
not be too thankful that they mad
President whom we can trust to deal
with the momentous and difficult prob
lens of the hour with wisdom, justice
and patience"