Evening star., 1919-08-22
DIPLOMATIC SNARL
MAY Be UNRAvE[ED
Brand WhitIock to See Presi-
dent-Ambassadorship to
Rome Still a Question.
PAGE QUITS; NAY GO BACK
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

Brand Whitlcck American minister
to Belgium, confers with President
Wilson at the white House this after
noon. Probably what has been one
of the most embarrassing diplomatic
tangles in the history of the Ameri-
can service may be untangled, and
the question, Just who is to be
American ambassador to Italy?" de-
cided definitely.
The whole situation arose over the
expressed intention of Ambassador
Thomas Nelson Page to resign from
the diplomatic service and his later
reconsideration of that intention.
President Wilson, desiring to elevate
Brand Whitiock in the diplomatic
service, and at the same time avoid
any slight to the wishes of Ambas-
sador Page, has been in a peculiarly
difficult position.
Ambassador Pages resignation has
been placed in the hands of President
Wilson, but as yet it has not been
definitely accepted, and probably will
not be until the future of Brand Whit
lock is decided.
Reason for Desire to Retire.
During the period of the war the
health Of the wife of Ambassador
Page, then in Rome, became so i'm
paired that it was deemed advisable
that she return to the United States
for definite stay. Ambassador Page
then expressed to President Wilson
his desire to retire and, it is reported,
was asked to remain at his post until
the war had been concluded.
Ambassador Page, being extremely
desirous of furthering the good rela-
uons between Italy and the United
States. and having done SO much to
achieve his greatest ambition. did re-
main, in the meantime doing much
toward bettering the understanding
between the two peoples and govern
nents. On conclusion of the armistice.
however, rumors were heard in Wash
ington and in later months reiterated
during the sessions of the peace con-
ference, that Ambassador Page had
resigned. AS matter of fact, he only
reminded the President of his previ-
ously expressed desire, and President
Wilson while in Paris Immediately
set about to comply Herewith. 1t be-
ing presumed, however, that time
would be taken to pick a successor to
Mr.. Page in Rome before the formal
During the sessions of the peace
conference, when President Wilson
was strenuously resisting the claims
of Italy to Fiume. and when only
AMERICAN oppoSitlOn maQe early
agreements as to the; future of the
shore lines of the Adriatic impossible,
it was reported in Paris that Mr.. Page
SO radically differed with the Presi-
dent that he had forwarded his for
mai resignation to the President as
point. Mr.. Page always has been firm
1y convinced that the Italians were
acting well within the sphere of JUS
tice and prudence. Whether Or not
Mr.. Page-actually did resign at this
juncture in spirit Of disgust is not
it known, he definitely saw the un-
dermining of a great part Of his work
looking toward closer relationships
between Italy and America.
Approaches Brand Whit1ock.
President Wilson in setting about to
pick successor to Mr.. Page, whom
he believed still desired to pass out
of the diplomatic service and return
to his home in Virginia. is said to
have approached Brand Whftlock,
American minister to Brussels, and
definitely asked him to take the post
at Rome. Mr.. Whitlock, though desir-
ing to become an ambassador in the
American service, is reported to have
indicated to the President that if there
were any chance of the legation at
Brussels being elevated to the status
of an embassy he much preferred to
in Belgium. Not because he
did or does not desire to go to Rome.
but he feels that greater good can be
accomplished by him where others de-
clare his greatest lifework has been
accomplished, and where his close
affiliation with Belgium, people and Of
ficialdom, enhances the possibility of
future efficient service to Belgium as
well as the United States.
President Wilson was favorably i'm
pressed with the idea Of elevating the
Belgian post to the ambassadorial
position and SO recommended to Con-
gress. Legislation looking to this end
has been passed by the Senate, and
now rests with the House committee
on foreign affairs, where favorable re-
port is expected. /
Reconsidefs Decision.
But, after President Wilson express
ed to Mr.. Whitlock his desire that he
take the post at Rome, Ambassador
Page reconsidered his decision in re-
gard to leaving Rome, he being fully
cognizant Of the fact that during the
period when arrangement might re-
suit from misunderstanding he could
render yeoman service to this country
as well as Italy and help clear away
the doubts and i'll feeling that might
arise as a result of the Fiume episode.
He is said to have approached the
President again. telling him he would
remain in Italy, at which time he was
informed of the Presidents proposal
to Mr.. Whitlock.
The President being confronted
with a proposition of offending Mr..
Page or Mr.. Whitlock, let the matter
lrift. Though Mr.. Pages formal res
gnation has at various times been re-
ported submitted to the President. it
lad not been received at the White
House up to the time Mr.. Page left
after his conference with
t is assumed that it went forward in
formal fashion within the past two
weeks.
Whether or not Mr.. Page returns to
Rome and Mr.. Whitlock goes to Brus-
sells in the role of ambassador Instead
If minister probably will depend upon
he early action of the House on the
,ill to make the Brussels post an en-
sassy. With Mr.. Pages resignation
,aving been duly received there also is
possibility that it will be accepted and
sir. Whitlock sent to Rome, pa particularly
should it become apparent that there
S no likelihood of House action soon
f Congress acts before many weeks
.lapse the whole problem will be solved
md Mr.. Whitlock and Mr.. Page will
eturn to posts where the President ad-
nits they can accomplish the most good
or all concerned.
Yellow Fever Quarantine Ports.
SAN SALVADOR. Republic of Saliva
lor, August 21.-Because of the discoy-
.ry of cases of yellow feveT at Leon
II ;,., 40 ONO o rjcfd u,1a "a fine hos 49,