New-York tribune., 1920-02-17
War Secretary, Spoken of
as Lansing's Successor,
Said TO Have Indorsed
Sessions of the Cabinet
RumOr Is Denied
AT White House
Publication of Fiume e
Facts Notifies World
Wilson Is in SSSaddle''

from The Tr;6une's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-St:ll
shaken by the sensational develop
ments of the Wilson-Lansing break,
Washington to-day was filed with
persistent rumors to the effect that
Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War,
and one of the men mentioned as a
possible successor to the former Sec
retary of State, had rendered his
resignation to President Wilson. or
was about to do so.
Although the White House itself
insisted that there was no founda-
ton for these reports, Mr.. Baker
himself refused positively to affirm
or deny them, or to discuss the mat
ter in any way.
1t is known, however, that the
Secretary of War feels keenly the
circumstances surrounding the en-
forced resignation of Mr.. Lansing
from the Cabinet, and considers
himself equally responsible with the
latter for the action of the Cabinet
in holding meetings during the Pres
ident's illness.
Entire Cabinet Involved
Friends Of Mr.. Lansing have stated
that the former Secretary of State
consulted with practically all of the
members OF the Cabinet before decid-
ing to hold these meetings, and that
Ssam Mr.. Baker he received a written
approval of the plan.
On the heels of the Lansing resir-
nation, the publication of the facts
concerning this country's note TO the
Suplemc Council on the Adriatic ques-
non IS accepted as further notice to
The world that Mr.. Wilson again has
assumed full charge of the foreign
policy of the United States.
+. This note, it developed to-day. was
prepared personally by the President
TWO weeks ago, or before Mr.. Lansing's
retirement from the Cabinet; to whit
extent its blunt refusal to accede to
the Lloyd George proposal for an ad-
ius.ment of the Fiume controversy
disturbed the existing policy of Mr.
Lansing OH this matter, may, perhaps,
be disclosed when the diplomatic CORE
eeViuehee Oh tHlS SUUJect is maze
public
This will not be done. so far as the
Presidents note is concerned, until
the reply Of the Supreme Council has
been received and digested. 1t has
been stated, however, that Mr.. Lam
sings views on the Fiume controversy
were often as divergent from those Of
the President as they were on other
issues coming before the peace con-
ference
Wilson to Preside Friday
The Presidents apparent disinclina-
ton to rebuke any of the other mem
bers of the Cabinet for the Cabinet
meetings is regarded as further empha-
sizing the belief that the Presidents
objections to these meetings were In
part, at least, merely used as a pre-
text for ridding himself of Secretary
Of State who did not subscribe to his
policies on foreign questions.
10 further demonstrate the fact that
ne is now firmly back in the saddle,
the President is said to be determined
to preside over the next meeting of
: the Cabinet on Friday. Whether he
will do so probably will depend on his
physicians. as already, in the opinion
Of some of them. he is said to be
inclined to overtaX himself.
who have been in consultation on the
Presidents case at stated intervals
during his illness called again at the
White House this afternoon, but it
was said this was simply one of the
usual consultations of this kind.
The Presidents break with Mr.. Lar
sing, with its attendant circumstances,
i had been feared by some of the
Presidents friends. might work set
back in his condition, but such, it is
declared, has not been the case.
Each morning at stated hour. the
President, after enjoying an airing
on the south portco of the White
House, is accustomed to wheel himself
or walk into the East Room, where he
enjoys an hours display or more of
moving picture drama. At other times
he engages himself closely with public
affairs.
r. RI Ive