The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-26

HONORARY DEGREE AT COL
GATE UNIVERSITY.
Copyright. American Press Association
n OBERT LANS1NG's recent confirmation
as Secretary OF State marked q eli
max in diplomatic advancement which
stands unparalleled In this country. Until the
middle Of the present year he was generally
unknown to the public. Now he is one OF the
most conspicuous figures In the Government,
because OF his official position and the part he
plays in the diplomatic negotiations arising out
of the war in Europe. His case is only another
Illustration of how n very valuable man may be
hidden in the wings, as 1t were, of the Govern
mental stage and yet be II vital factor in a M.
tional drama.
On January rs last the newspapers printed
a letter which Senator william J. Stone, chair
man Of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
had received from the State Department de-
fning just what neutrality involved and meant.
That communication was Tor the enlightenment
of Congress and was couched in language Of
unusual clarity. 1t was throughout the prod
net Of Robert Lansing. Before that time he
had worked selulously, as was mis- wont. but
without making himself conspicuous. The
character OF that state paper compelled con-
>ideration OF its author.
The first L~usitania note despatched to Ger
many was i'm thought and word almost entirely
the work of President Wilson. but somewhat
shortened and slightly modified by Mr.. Lam
sing. then counsellor tn the Department Of
State. Mr.. Bryan signed it. But the second
note that followed on June 9-the message
that led to Mr.. Bryan's rctirement-was the
Joint product of President Wilson aud Robert
Lansing, who signed it in the role Of Secretary
Of state al Interim.
There were many reasons why the President
should have nominated Mr.. Lansing for the
portfolio Of State after Mr.. Bryan had resigned
it; ana after serving in an ad interim capacity
for fourteen days Mr.. Lansing was appointed
head Of the department ON June 20. On
December IL last the United states Senate
confirmed the Presidents choice. In the try
ins weeks that have enSned since the gentle
man from Nebraska dropped ont, Mr.. Lansing
has had many vexatious problems to handle
AMI he has probably labored harder in steering
the ship If state than any of his predecessors
for a very long period.
Robert Lansing was born in WATERFOWL, n.
Y, IN 1864, and was graduated from Amherst
Twenty-Five years later. He was admitted T."
tn" bar in 1889. The next year he married
Miss Eleanor Foster, the daughter Of John W.
Foster. Secretary of State after James d.
Blaine resigned from that office during the
Harrison administration Whether or not the
"oli fox of American diplomacy" Influenced the
receptive mind Of his son-in-law Is a matter
for speculation, but Mr.. Lansing does not deny
that Mr.. Foster has often been a valued adj
wiser, one thing is certain, he placed the young
mans feet IN the path Of international affairs
rs appointing him associate counsel In March
Of $50 for the United States Government In
the licriug Sea fur seal arbitration.
With this work done, Mr.. Lansing became
'oll>"l for the Mexican and Chinese legations
in Washington. In 1896 he was appointed by
Richard Olney. then Secretary Of state, counsel
for The United States on the Bering Sea Claims
Commission. For n while he served private In
l"r"NI>, and appeared In their behalf during
1898 and 1899 before the Canadian Joint High
Commission. Once more, In 1903, ne was coun-
sci for this Government before the Alaskan
boundary Tribunal In London; but during the
interval preceding this latter service he was
again adviser to the legations Of China and
Mexico.
Mr. l.ansing's record has been varied and his