Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1920-02-21

| SUMPTION OF pFeSlutntIdi dutiioiIty III
| such matter. You say you felt that,
! in view Of the fact that you were de-
nice communication with me, it was
| wise to confer Informally together on
nter-departmental matters and mat
fers as to which action could not be
! postponed until my medical advisers
permitted me- 10 be seen and consult
ID. but have TO remind you, Mr.. Sec
/ rotary, that no action could be taken
without me by the cabinet, and there
! fore there could have been no dis
! advantage In awaiting action with re-
/ gard TO matters concerning which ac-
I ton could not have been taken with
/ our me.
This affair. Mr.. Secretary, only
/ deepens a feeling that was growing
/ upon me. While we were still in Paris
| felt, and have felt increasingly ever
since that you accepted my guidance
and direction on question with regard
10 which I had to instruct you only
with increasing reluctance, and since
my return to Washington | have been
struck by the number Of matters in
which you have apparently tried to
forestall my Judgment by formulating
action and merely asking my approval
when il was impossible for me TO form
an independent judgment because
had not had an opportunity to examine
the circumstances with any degree of
independence
II. therefore. feel that | must
frankly take advantage of your kind
suggestion that if | should prefer 10
have another conduct our foreign
affairs You are ready to relieve me
of any embarrassment by placing your
resignation in my hands, for ! must
say that 1t would relieve me OF EN-
harraSsment, Mr.. Secretary, the EN-
barrassment Of feeling your reluctance
and divergence Of Judgment. If you
would give your present office up and
afford me an opportunity to select
some one whose mind would more wilt
ingly 20 along with mine.
Il need not tell you with what re-
luetance I take advantage of your sug-
gestion, or that do 50 with the kind
Hest feeling, In matters Of transcend
ent Importance like this the only wise
course is a course of perfect candor
where personal feeling is as much as
possible left out of the reckoning
Very sincerely yours.
'W0ODROW WILSON"
Lansing to Wilson.
THE secretary Of state. February
70, 1920.
My Dear MIR. President: ! wish 10
thank YOU sincerely for your candid
letter Of the 11th. in which you state
that my resignation would be accept
able 10 YOU, since II relieves me Of
the responsibility for action which |
have been contemplating and which |
can now take without hesitation. as it
meets your wishes.
IL have the honor. therefore. 10
tender YOU my resignation as secretary
of state. the same to take effect at
your convenience.
Ever since January. 1919. I have
been conscious of the fact that Won
no longer were disposed 10 welcome
my advice In matters pertaining Ia the
negotiations In Paris. 10 ou foreign
service or 70 International affairs in
general Holding the views. | would
If I mad consulted my personal inclina-
tion alone. have resi- gned rs secretary
of state and as Il commissioner To
negotiate peace.
II felt. however, that such a step
might have been misinterpreted both
AT home and abroad and that it was
my duty 10 cause you no emharraSs-
ment in carrying forward the great
task In which YOU were then engaged.
Possibly erred In this. hut If | did
II was with the best Of motives
Il think, MIR President, in accord
ance with the frankness which has
marked this correspondence and for
which | am grateful to you. that |
cannot permit to pass uuchallenged
the .mputation that in calling into in.
formal conference the heads Of the
executive departments sought to
usurp your presidential authority.
u had no such intention, no such
thought. | further believe that the
conferences were proper and necessary
in the circumstances. and that | would
have been derelict In my duty If had
failed to act rs did
Il need hardly add that 7 leave
The office Of secretary Of state with
only good win toward you, Mr. PreSi-