El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-02-14

AAAE LAHEAH A04GLs HaaAAAE new -aal-
cies. however. other than the Asso-
ciated Press violated their pledges to
the state department and published
the letters in some parts Of the coun-
try yesterday afternoon
Text Of Correspondence.
Following is the correspondence be
tween the president and secretary
Lansing.
The white House. Washington. 2.
Feb 1890
Ny Dear Mr. Secretary:
is il true, as have been told. that
during my illness, you have frequent
" called the heads Of the executive
departments Of the government into
ccnferencs2 II Il is, feel IL my duty
10 call your attention 10 considera-
tons which I do not care TO dwell
upon until I learn from you yourself
that this is the fact
Under our constitutional law and
practice as developed hitherto, no one
but the president has the right 70
summon the heads Of the executive
departments into conference, and no
one but the president and the con-
gress has the right TO ask their views
or the views Of any one OF them on
any public question
take this matter up with you be-
cause, In the development Of every
constitutional system, custom and
precedent are Of the most serious
consequence, and ] think we viii all
agree in desiring not to lead in any
wong direction ! have, therefore
taken the. liberty Of writing you TO
ask you this question and I am sure
you viii be glad TO answer. I am
happy TO learn from your recent note
to Mrs Wilson that your strength is
returning
Cordially and sincerely yours.
woodrow Wilson
LansinE's Reply 70 President.
Washington, Feb 9, 1920.
Ny dear Mr.. President:
1t IS true that frequently during
your illness, / requested the heads OF
government TO meet for informal con-
ferences
Shortly after you were taken I'll in
October, certain members Of the cab
met. Of which i was one. felt that,
in view Of the fact that we were de-
MED communication with you II was
wise for US 70 confer Informally to-
gether on Observation-Disclosures matters
and matters as 70 which action could
not be postponed uutn your medical
advisers permitted you TO pass upon
them Accordingly, ], as the rank
ing member. requested the members
OF the cabinet TO assemble for such
informal conference. and in view OF
the mutual benefit derived, the prac-
tice was continued I can assure you
that 81 never for a moment entered
my mind that / was acting unconsti-
tutlonally or contrary to your wishes
and there certainly was no Intention
exercise functions which under the
constitution are exclusively confined
TO the president
During these troublous times when
many difficult and vexatious ques-
tons have arisen and when, in the
circumstances. / nave been deprived
OF your guidance and direction, II has
been my constant endeavor TO carry
out your policies as 7 understood them
and TO act IN all matters as 1 believed
you would wis., me TO act II, how
ever, you think that ! have failed in
my loyalty to you, and II you no
longer have confidence In me and
prefer to have another conduct our
foreign affairs, I am, Of course, ready
Mr. president, TO relieve you OF any
Embarrassment by placing my resig-
nation In your hands.
I an, as always, faithfully yours
Robert Lansing
No Reason TO Meet.
The White House.
washington. D. c.. 18th Feb, 1890.
Ny Dear Secretary:
1 an very much disappointed by
your letter of Feb ., in reply to mine
asking about the sOcalled cabinet
meetings You kindly explain the
nothing in your letter which justifies
your assumption OF presidential au-
thority in such a matter You say
you felt that in view Of the fact that
you were denied communication with
me. ii was wise TO confer Informally
together on inter-departmental mat
tiers, and matters as to which action
could not be postponed until my meci-
cal advisers permitted me TO be seen
and consulted. but I have 10 remind
you Mr.. Secretary. that no action
could be taken without me BY the
cabinet, and, therefore, there could
have been no disadvantage in await
ing action with regard 10 matters
have been taken without me.
This affair. Mr. Secretary, only
deepens a feeling that was growing
upon me. While we were still in
Paris, felt. and have felt increasing
ly ever since, that you accepted my
guidance and direction on questions
with regard 10 which ] had TO in
strucr you only with increasing reluc-
lance, and since my return TO Wash
ington ] have been struck BY the
numbers Of matters in which you
have apparently tried to forestall my
judgment because 1 had not had an
opportunity 10 examine the circum-
stances with any degree OF indepen-
], therefore. feel that I must frank
.ly take advantage OF your kind sug-
gestion that If ] shOuld prefer TO have
another 10 conduct our foreign affairs
you are ready 10 relieve me Of any
embarrassment by placing your resig-
nation in my hands, for 1 must say
that il would relieve me Of embar-
rassment, Mr.. Secretary, the embar-
rassment Of feeling your reluctant
and divergence OF judgment II you
would give your present office up and
afford me an opportunity TO select
some one whose mind would more
willingly go along with mine.
1 need not tell you with what re-
|HHIH IL q int % nj
suggestion, CT that I do so with the
kfndliest feeling. In matter Of trans