The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-26
LANSING GETS APPOINTMENT.
FORMER COUNSELOR TO sECRE.
TARY OF STATE NAMED AS
SUCCESSOR TO BRYAN.
New Member OF Cabinet IL Successful
Lawyer and Is Man OF Varied Ex-
periencc and Attainments-Has
Many FSfcrsds Among Democrats
and Republicans. ty

washington, June 2B.-Robert Lam
sins. who as counselor of the State
department.. has advised President
Wilson In law and precedent In the
policy pursued by the United States
towards belligerent governments since
the outbreak OF the European war.
was named today TO succeed william
Jennings Bryan as secretary Of State.
Few appointments In recent years
have given such widespread satisfac-
ton In the. national capital. Mr.. Ian
sing In life long 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 and close personal friends OF
the president advised the selection and
Mr.. Bryan himself. although not con-
suited. IN understood to have hoped
for the promotion OF Mr.. Lansing.
official announcement of the selec-
ton OF Mr.. Lansing, who has been
serving as secretary al interim since
the resignation OF Mr.. Bryan on June
5. was made In the following state
ment: r,.
Before leaving this evening for q
brief rest In New Hampshire the pres
ident announced that he had offered
the post OF secretary of state to Mr..
Robert lansing. the present counselor
OF the department OF state. and that
Mr.. Lansing has accepted the appoint
ment."
n commission was prepared which
President Wilson signed tonight, CIV
ing Mr.. lansing recess appointment.
When congress reconvenes. the nomi-
nation will 20 TO the senate. No op-
position r. anticipated.
One OF the peculiar circumstances
In connection with Mr.. Lansing's ap-
pointment Is the fact that he person
ally has no political backing or in
fiuence. "Bucceeding William Jennings
Bryan. foremost among leaders of the
Democratic party. comparatively
unknown quantity In the political
world. NO has been ushered into the
premiership OF the cabinet.
This vary Ysct commended itself 20
the prssfdent's adyfsers as reason
for the appointment OF man OF Mr..
Lansinfs experience aud ability. the
arEumett being advanced that at 40
critical n time In the nations history,
the people OF the United States WISH
ed all political considerations subor-
dinated. Mr.. Lansing takes Office
thoroughly familiar with the person.
mol and organization OF the depart
ment OF state and coversant with con-
ndential details OF all important ne
gotitaions conducted by the United
States since the Wilson administra-
tion began.
Mr.. bansing In 81 years old. a ma
tive OF 1Wstertowns N. Y. and a de-
scendant OF the family OF John Lam
sing. who represented New York In
the constitutional convention OF 1877
at Philadelphia and later was chan
cellor Of the state OF New York. AZ
ter graduation from Amhert college
In isss Mr.. Lansing chose the pro-
fession, OF his father and ancestors
the law-and continued In private
practice, except when retained by the
American government or foreign ma
tions In important cases.
He has represented the United
States In more international arbitra-
tions thanssny living American and
q Frepch authority recently wrote
that Nr. lansing probably has had
a longer and broader experience In
intern ktional arbitration and had ap-
peared moro frequently before inter-
nationhl tribunals than any living
izwyet
In tss2 Mr.. Lansing was appointed
associate counsel for the United
stated In the fur seal arbitration and
attended the sessions OF the interna-
tionan tribunal at Paris In 1898. In
isst-sS he was counsel for the Mex
lean and Chinese legations in Wash
instoS. In 1895 ne was appointed
by Secretary Richard olney counsel
for the government before the
Behrpg sea claims commission. In
isss-fs ne was counsel for private
partiSs before the Canadian joint
high commission and counselor for
the Mexican and Chinese legations
once more.
He became solicitor and counsel
for tho United States government be-
fore tie Alaskan boundary tribunal
In Lokdon. was counsel In the Vene-
zueianS asphalt dispute In 1905; coun-
sci foe the United sttaes In the At
-HH IT