Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-06-24
LANSING WELL QUALIFIED
FOR CABINET POSITION

washington, June 23.--ln the resig-
nation of William Jennings Bryan and
the elevation of Robert Lansing to the
office of secretary Of state are two
incidents that may parallel a historic
event of 1892, and the consequences Of
which may be identical IN at least one
respect.
James G. Blaine on June 4, 1892, re-
signed as secretary of state under
President Harrison and then became
candidate for the republican nomi-
nation for president at the Minneapo
lis convention. He was not nominated
over Mr.. Harrison. The resignation
Of Mr.. Blaine, 1t must be said. was
purely political and he had no holy
cause" as MIR. Bryan believes lies in
his retirement
Father-in-law Succeeded Blaine.
The other thing Of historic interest
connected with the past and the pres
ent is that John W. Foster succeeded
Mr.. Blaine as secretary Of state. Mr..
Foster IS the father-in-law of Robert
Lansing, who has been appointed Sec
rctary of state to succeed Bryan.
Under all the circumstances with
the difficulty with Germany looming,
and the Mexican situation complcat-
ed, the question of the personality of
the head of the state department be-
comes interesting and important The
measure of Mr.. Lansing's capacity is
best indicated by the fact that through
all the long months Of trouble with
European countries over neutral
rights and problems raised by war he
is the man upon whom the president
has leaned. Many times ii has been
pointed out by the newspapers that
the president was relying on the ad-
vice of Mr. Lansing rather than on
Mr.. Bryan.
New Secretary Opposite of Bryan.
The various notes which have gone
TO the European powers notes which
have been widely commended for their
strength-haye been basically the
products of Mr.. Lansing The presi-
cent has couched final drafts in his
own language, but the meat of the
notes, the knowledge of international
law required to make them stand up
in the eyes of the diplomacy of the
world, has been supplied by Lansing
Therefore the administration Will
have no uneasness over the charac-
ter of the chieftainship of the state
department. Mr.. Lansing is a demo-
crat and his appointment will meet
with the political requirements. He Is
one of the best products of American
schooling in international law and di-
plomacy. He is in the prime Of his
powers, suaye, courteous, unassuming
and able to get along admirably with
other men. In word he is the oppo-
site of Mr.. Bryan. He is on good
terms with the members of the cabi-
net and the diplomatic corps. lie had
high reputation as an international
lawyer when he entered the state de-
partment and this has been increased
as opportunities for the use of his
knowledge came.
BY a most unusual procedure he
was asked on several occasions to sit
with the cabinet when acute questions
were under discussion. The latest oc-
casion, before Mr.. Bryan's retirement,
was on Friday. June 4, before there
had been open manifestation of diff
1efences between the president and
Mr.. Bryan.
FIRST 10 Rise From Ranks Since Day.
Mr.. Lansing is the first secretary of
state who has risen from the ranks
since President Mckinley promoted
Assistant Secretary Day when Secre-
tary Sherman resigned his post in
Spanish war days He enjoys hard
work, the swivel chair, and tedious
problems as Bryan detested them MIR.
Bryan, it is said. would not devote
himself to long, arduous study. The
training of the orator could not be
thrown off by Bryan. Mr.. Bryan Is,
what the phrasefhakers denominate, a
progressive" Mr.. Lansing, if the an
aiogy can be carried out, is stand
pat in his view of things.
Mr.. Lansing has the appearance OF
q successful lawyer. He usually wears
striped suit and soft hat, which
give him the outward appearance Of
gentleman farmer with an estate out
SIDE of Washington. His hair is turn
ing gray and a short stubby mustache
hldes irregular teeth and conceals his
humor lines Without. knowing him,
you would size him up as a serious
minded man. He is slightly over five
Ieet ten inches in height and has moth
ing in his makeup to indicate the ath-