Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-16
LANSING FORCED
HIS DISMISSAL ON
WILSON, IT IS SAID
Secretary of State Reported to
Have Discussed Replacing the
Chief Executive.
RIGHT THING;
WRONG WAY"
From Today ; New York World.

From Today's New York World.
Washington, Feb Reluctantly
tonoeding that in dismissing Robert Lam
sing from the office of Secretary Of State
"the President did the right thing the
wrong way" persons who believe that
be was justified In doing SO advance
some very interesting facts 10 justify
their opinion
The most interesting of these facts,
which have been obtained from sources
that insure accuracy and carry conviction,
are the following:
That Mr.. Iansing's retirement was in
tiuenced by the Presidents belief that his
Secretary of State not only exceeded his
authority In convening cabinet meetings.
but that he was not IN sympathy with the
policies at the President relating to
Mexico, the League of Nations and other
features of international Importance.
: That MIR. Lansings attitude on the
League OF Nations inspired to some extent
the conclusions of Nlscount Grey, the
British Ambassador, which were seized
upon hy the enemies of the League as
justification for their attempts to defeat
its purposes.
That as a result Of this Concurrence Of
view" between the Secretary of State and
DfitiSt NH tc>stsltIs kit AtNtAAtl III NAtt
latter To his post at Washington is abso-
lutelv impossible.
SOON To RESUME WORK
That the Presidents action in removing
Mr.. Lansing practically insurcs his speedy
resumption of active control OF all govern
ment affairs, according to those persons
and officials whose authority To speak
cannot he questioned.
NJ L
* generally held TO have been unwar-
ranted for its reasons disclosed in the cor
respondence between him and the Prrsi-
dent, and that il can Ike and is explained by
facts and reasons to bc developed by an
impartial investigation Of the incident.
That the Presidents rehukc TO Mr..
Lansing for illegally calling the cabinet +
meetings was influenced bV information
I hat the Secretary Of State had initiated .
discussion among cabinet members as to I
the possible necessity for substituting .
Nice-President Marshal rs the head Of the /
II the illness oE Mir Wilson /
10 incapacitatc him.
MIR. Lansing forced the issue at the final I
moment hy sending some sort Of ulti-
natum to the President insisting on being
upheld IN Important negotiations. Then
Mr. Wilson sent his note asking If the Sec
retary had called the cabinet meetings
which led 10 the resignation Of Mr.
Lansing.
The White House contributed no adj
iltIonal information today regarding the
circumstances that charac-
erizcd the dismissal of Mir Wilson's
second Secretary Of State
Ii was said that the President had read
the newspaper accounts and comment
relating TO the incident. but that he did
not feel called upon TO further illuminate
he real reasons for his hrusuue invitation
o MIR. Lansing 70 resign his Office and his
Instant acceptance. Mr.. Lansing. with
whom talked this afternoon, was likewise
lncdmmunicatlVc.
Il have no desire N enter into any con-
roversy regarding the manner OF nv re-
irement from Mr.. Wilson's Cabinet
e said. nor do ! believe il necessary.
he correspondenccIis self-explanatory
But the reference of the two men most
rectly concerned IN the incident. which I
as provoked quite IS much Of a sensation !
[ foreign capitals as throughout the ]
nitcd States. has not by any means
bated interest IN it at Washington or
iscouraCed speculation IS TO the cause Of {
SAY HE ERRED IN METHOD.
The Pres, dent supporters and his c
rites are IN accord in one respect /
his Is that the matter is mainly one of 7
srsonal concern 10 the President and q
fr Lansing Q
The Presidents friends privately ad- 1
It that he committed an error Of Judg-
ent IN giving the Ostensihle reason for z
IS request that Mr.. Lansing resign.
That the President should rebuke Mr.. a
snsing for having during the illness OF e
le Chief Executive convened the Cabinet q
r motives that seemed entirely proper u
almost universally regarded as INSULT. p
snt. The President : critics not alone
ms own party but more generally aInonr q
5 political opponents. express little el
mpathy for Mr.. Lansing. but thew IN Il
rpret his manner OF handling the affair "
indicating Il lack Of mental capacity OF
Ich supports their contention that he
Ould turn the office over to the Vice
esident. /,
The answer made to this declaration n
persons qualified To speak is that the ~
esident Is approaching complete res IN
ration to health and that within a ~
~ short time he will be able to take ac. =,
re command Of the Government. r.
From q source that can be accepted as ey
thoritative it Is learned tha, the Presi IS
Mt Is now actually functiOring as com "a
,tely IS necessity demands. and that -
~ shortly he will be able to take his -
.ce at the head Of the Cabinet table and -
lduct the affairs of the Government II
IN his Office Io
MUST BE CAREFUL. NJ
He will be required, however. 10 OBJ ph
We the greatest discretion in doing of
In order 10 prevent a setback that I'm Pr
rranted physical and mental activities la
ght provoke di,
There u little question. however. that
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