Evening star., 1920-02-14
PRESIDENT KNEW
Of THE INFORMAL
CABINET PARLEYS
Mr.. Wilson's Waiting Until
This Time to Protest
Causes Comment.

ne feature OF the break between
the President and the American pre-
mier which caused most comment to-
day vas the fact that the President
has been aware for four months of the
informal conferences of the cabinet,
and that only now, upon his resuming
active direction of public affairs. has
he deemed it necessary to protest in
manner which necessitated Secre-
tary Lansing's Immediate resignation.
President Wilson knew of the first
informal assembly of the cabinet. and
was given verbal report of what oc-
CURED by DR.. Grayson. who was called
in to the meeting. President Wilson
Knew of the consideration by the cab
met of the coal strike. and was given
details of the proceedings by Attor-
ney General Palmer. He has known. in
gtneral way. that the cabinet was
taking up interdepartmental affairs
from time to time.
retary Lansing informed the newspa-
permen that the informal cabinet
meetings were over. was there any
suspicion that the assemblages were
not entirely agreeable to all con-
cerned. and even then it was in
leIrea that the announcement meant
only that the President would soon be
we'll enough to resume his place at
the head of the cabinet table.
Another Feature Noted.
The other feature of the situation
which attracted most attention and
caused most discussion was the fact
that the President has. indeed, taken
up with vigor the conduct of public
affairs. from which he has been dis
sociated to great extent for months
past. 1t was assumed that this means
fact improved to the extent announced
by DR.. Young in his recent statement
on the subject.
1t was stated in official circles this
morning that the President will soon
begin to attend the cabinet meetings
and may, indeed. preside at one in the
very near future. 1t was said that in
the past few days he has been giving
his personal attention to fye-eimee
the volume of public business which
he has considered in recent weeks. 1t
is noted that his communications to
senators and others and his considera-
ton of the threatened railroad strike
prove that he is eminently capable of
taking up anything that may be
brought before him, and that he may
be expected from now on to exercise
all his executive functions.
Hidden Causes Surmised.
Discussion of the Presidents be-
lated cognizance of the informal cab
met meetings and his making it the
occasion for a break with the Secre-
tary of State led to many surmises
as to what other possible impelling
causes for the official rupture might
lie in the background.
There has been general knowledge for
months that Secretary Lansing was not
happy while in Paris, and that he had
not been accorded the Presidents full
confidence in the peace negotiations
This is now confirmed by Secretary
Lansing's own statement. and surprise
was expressed today that Mr. Lansing
had held on patiently for so long.
When Mr.. Lansing did not refute or
pay any attention to the testimony of
William c. Bullitt before the Senate
committee, in which Bullitt quoted the
Secretary as having declared that the
people of this country would reject the
league of nations if they knew what it
let them in for it was thought that the
President would ultimately manifest his
displeasure.
What effect the break will have upon
the further consideration of the treaty
of peace and the league of nations is
the subject of wide speculation. The
accepted belief seems to be that this
incident foretells the President taking
more active charge Of the negotiations
over the reservations and as serving
notice upon all democratic senator's that
he is at the helm of public business
and of foreign affairs. and that he will
demand strict allegiance to him as the
| titular head of the party and the ad-
| ministration President
Party Discipline Seen.
BY some the affair is held to be con-
ducive of party discipline" as being a
sharp reminder that the President will
brook no suggestion that he is not the
head of the government nor able to
| transact the public business coming
within the jurisdiction of his office
. There is said to be no question that
| there has been complaint recently
over the enforced inaction of the ex
! ecutiVe. Some democrats thought that
the revolt of the House membershin
against the Presidents attitude on
mliitary training accentuated the
leeiing of the party being out OF
! touch with it's head. Those holding
that view will welcome the assertion
| by the President of his authority and
demonstration of his intention to hold
the reins firmly. Their only refrain
Is, But why pick on Lansing to show
| 1t, at this late day."
! Well. anyhow, it was l .idav. the
18th. somebody will probably remark
in passing.