The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-07-29

In contrast to Mrs. Bryan, Mrs. Lam
sing has had wide and intimate ex-
perience of life in the great capitals
of Europe, and her long residence in
Washington has familiarized her with
the peculiar social problems of the
place and with the faT-reaching effects
of the social side of diplomacy and
statecraft.
Diplomat by Profession.
Mr.. Lansing is a diplomat by pro-
fession and by long practice. He be-
gan his diplomatic training under his
fatherin-law. He is reputed to have
handled more diplomatic business
just plain business, in the form of ar
bitrations-as counselor for govern
ments and in related capacities than
any contemporary American. He
knows the methods, the manners and
the forms of diplomacy, and is particu-
larly informed upon the intimate de-
tails now pressing upon his depart
ment, having had opportunity to ia
miliarize himself with them during his
service as counselor of the state de-
partment.
1t is significant that the man in
the street was obliged when Mr.. Lam
sing first came into prominence to in
quire as to his politics. The answer
is that he is a Democrat, but in no
way politician; and his appointment
Is step toward divorcing foreign re-
lations from domestic political con-
Germs. He stands for the professional
view that the nation needs a foreign
policy that shall be continuous and
logical and not disturbed by political
shifts. u.I .f ..... -u
Always Keeps His Temper.
Without resembling the emancipation
in physical appearance to even re-
mote degree, Mr.. Lansing has much
the personality of Lincoln. He has
the war presidents ability always to
keep his temper, to speak his mind In
stantly in simple, homely, but correct
English, to withhold information with
out being troubled or embarrassed in
the act, and to maintain a serene,
judicious mind while all around is
hurrying and shouting and the whole
world seems about to plunge into ruin.
On entering his Office, in the state,
war and navy building, one meets a
man of large figure, prematurely gray
he is fifty-one years old-but I'M
doubtedly handsome. His eyes are
excessively fine, and his face lights
& aSCffh
To questions he replies instantly
and often with trenchant humor.
There is no sidestepping. He looks
straight at his questioner and If the
query is improper he dubs it such
without stumbling. His emotions are
! under complete control.
These qualities have endeared him
to the Washington correspondents,
who didn't get along at all we'll with
Mr.. Bryan. Mr.. Lansing's request
not an order-that no foreign diplo-
matists be accosted by questioners in
the state, war and navy building has
been uniformly carried out, indeed a
correspondent who violated it would
| become a pariah to his fellows here.
| The correspondents know the new oc-
| cupant of the secretary of states Of
fee will do the right thing by them
and they desire to measure up to Mr..
Lansing's own standard.
| The members of the diplomatic
corps find Mr.. Lansing is of the best
type of old world courtiers and they
trpa Surn him accOrdinPlV
They know Mr.. Lansing understands
their troubles and difficulties thorough
ly Mr.. Lansing and his wifes father,
John w. Foster, secretary of state IN
der Harrison and United States envoy
to several countries, make their home
here together. The son-in-law has alb
sorbed great stores Of diplomatic lore
from the man who is affectionately
called "the old fox of American diplo'
macy"
Rose by Sheer Ability.
Mr.. Foster will be eighty years old
next year. He was a brigadier gen
eral in the Civil war, minister to Mex
leo for seven years, then minister to
Russia and minister to Spain. He has
served on many very important inter
national commissions and has acted
officially for China and Mexico. Sew
eral of his books are standard. He is
leading peace advocate.
Mr.. Foster had much to do with in
PRODUCING his brilliant son-in-law to Of
fetal Washington, but Mr.. Lansing
rise to fame has been through sheer
ability and hard work. He was born
in the small city of Washington, N. Y.
October II. 1854, the son of an emf
nent lawyer and the descendant Of
many men who have been leaders IL
New York state history. John Lansing
represented New York in the constl
tutional convention of 1887 at Phila
delphia, served in the Revolution an(