New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-31
Aims at Leading Role
i'm International
Politics
CHANGE OF ENJOYS
AND CABINET NEAR
Hopes New Foreign Issues
Will Block Bryan's
"Dry" Campaign
[From The Tribune Bureau


peace, and in fact world politics in
general, will be President Wilson's
field in his second Administration,
Just as-except for casual issues
arising Immediately out Of the Eu-
ropean war-domestic legislation
has occupied most of his attention
during the first term.
The President on March 4 will
close the record on domestic prob
lens, though there are certain
projects already started which he
will try to complete at the next reg
ular session of Congress.
World politics from now on is the
big thing. The President wants the
United States to play big part, un-
der his leadership, in shaping the
destiny of civilization after the great
war.
Wants Nc Discussion
Mr.. Wilson revealed himself to-
day as acutely sensitive to the at
tacks that have been made on the
world peace plan which he unfolded
to the Senate two weeks ago. He
is impatient at the contrasts that
have been drawn between his atti-
tude toward American policy and
that of Washington, Jefferson and
Monroe.
He does not want it discussed, either
in the Senate, the papers or anywhere
else. He does not himsslf desire to be
more definite concerning the part that
the United States will be expected to
play in European quarrels, and still
less concerning the. part that Europe
might feel entitled to play in possible
disputes on this continent.
To all questions designed to draw
close definition of Americas relation
to Europe in such a league, he replies
that such matters will be left to the
conference of nations which draws up
the treaty. He appears to regard 1t
largely as a matter of detail whether
the Monroe Doctrine is to be extended
only toward greater American influence
in Europe. or toward permitting Euro
mean influence in affairs peculiarly
American.
Diplomatic Changes Likely
The fact that discussion is discour-
aged by the President confirms the in
terpretation that the speech TO the Sem
ate was in fact sequel TO his peace
note to the belligerents. II was IN
tended as further support to the Ger
man peace drive, though doubtless
without much hope that it would be cf-
fective.
The Presidents intention to devote
himself almost exclusively to world al
fairs during his second term is well
Lnovn 10 his friends. II is disclosed IN
his determination not to call speciai
session o, Congress on March B, but
only to convene the Senate 70 conhrm
anno;ntments and take up matters OF
foreign poiicy.
The confirmation of new appoint
ments is directly related to the Pres-
;dent's new plans. There will be many
new appointments in offices that nave
20 do with foreign affairs. All the
dinlomatic representatives abroad have
beeen asked for their designations
"nurelv as matter Of FORM, ana
some Of them will be surprised "hen
they are accepted.
Cabinet Jobs In Danger
Soue Of the Cabinet also may be
srrnrised TO find that the President
,y;ii take their purely formal demls-
sions seriously. For such programme
as he has framed for the next -FOUR
years the President needs new per-
sonnel quite different from that which
srfficed in 1918. when the European
war and it's complications were un,
dreamed of and any politician would
do for a diplomat
Colonel House foresaw years ago
greater role for Mr.. Wilson than mere
domestic politics. The Colonel always
has laid emphasis on the world field,
and il is probable that but for the
Fnropean war the President would
long since have launched his campaign.
Defeat last November would have
snoiled a carefully thought out plan
of development for Mr.. Wilson.
But the election impressed two
things on the President The first was
that his domestic record has been ap-
prcved and that he could AFFORD to
stand pat on it. The second was that
the sentiment in the country was trc-
mendously for peace.
House to Keep Silent Role
And so. under the guidance of Colo
mel House, the President is going out
into his larger field. having conquered
the smaller one. Colonel House, who
knows the European capitals thorough
ly. is likely to remain the silent part
ner. in spite OF rumors that he may
he made an ambassador or Secretary
of State.
He likes the obscure role, and il is
probable also that Mr.. Wilson would
rather not have the Colonel in an
official position, where too frequent
opportunity would be given the public