New-York tribune., 1920-01-27
Diplomatic Machine
Almost Worn Out,
Lansing Warns U. 5.
''Complete Repair and Re-
adjustment Needed to
Prevent tho Surprise
Of 1914, Says Secretary
Ncw York Tribune
Wdshin0to,l Bureau

WASHINGTON. Jan. 26.-Machinery
of the United States government for
dealing with foreign relations is in
need of "complcte repair and rcorgan
zation," Secretary Lansing of the State
Department wrote to the Senate to-
day in letter responding to its re-
quests to NIL departments for recon-
mendatons to further American for
eign trade.
The war, Mr.. Lansing pointed out.
has brought about readjustment OF
the world in which the United States
has come to be a figure of economic
preponderance, which he compared with
that (which was coveted by Germany
Every movement of this country affects
the rest Of the world in vital fashion.
He continued:
"The worlds equilibrium in the var-
Gus spheres Of human endeavor is
broken. The measure of value has
shifted position; wealth has disap-
peared or been transferred to new own
ers; national power has passed to diff
fercnt hands. Nations are resorting to
artificial stimulation through inge-
nious devices in which the old idea OF
stability has largely disappeared. In
many nations all pivotal economic in
tercsts are being artiicially diverted in
the direction Of general eXpcdicncy. We
are in the midst OF an era OF transition
and transformation. The machinery of
government for dealing with our for
eign relations is in need OF complete
repair and reorganization.
The European war came as a sur
prise in 1914, chiefly because the State
Department through inadequate equip
mcnt had been unable to gather in
formation and interpret it in manner
which would reveal the hidden pur-
poses OF the government by which
hostilities were precpitated No
reasonable effort must be spared 10
make a similar surprise impossible in
the future. Necessity is forcing new
nations and even the older ones to in
cur obligations and form political If
fillatlons having decisive if not su-
prone bearing on tho course of future
events. international movements of
Judged through an accurate knowledge
and complete understanding OF
methods and motives involved.
THE Department of State must be
reorganlzed so as to provide an in
strumentality capable of performing
this delicate task. At present several
departments are collecting material re-
lating to foreign trade. hope it may
be possible TO treat these subjects con
currently, bringing them to a correct
focus III the State Department, and
charging it with their appropriate util-
ization. The situation demands a sub
stantial broadening and intcnsification
OF work and coordination of activities.
The State Department desires to utilize
to the fullest extent the agencies of
all OF her dono 1,prtc
zone of the greatest obstacles to for
elgn trade arises through artificial bar
riers and obstructions. The State De-
partment hopes to evolve policies
through which American enterprise
may be enabled to expand its efforts
nnencumbered By prejudice or by po-
lltical opportunism.
The letter says the present system
is dcfective: salaries of Ambassadors
and ministers are too small, they arc
not provided with proper residences
abroad and the diplomatic career is
closed thereby to many men of talent.
These defects, he said, must be cor
rccted by combining a new and much
greater scale of salaries with purchase
OF embassies and legations in foreign
capitals.