The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-02-19

(Thfs is the third of a series of three
articles on the Wilsor-Lansine break.
showing the significance nationally
and internationally of the episode and
enect upon our foreign policy.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-Robert
Lansing was popular as secretary of
state. Diplomats recognized the awk-
wardness of his position, particularly
MS inability often to speak for the
president, because the latter individ-
ual would not take him into his con-
1ldence, but they made allowances for
this and liked Mr. Lansing for such
1rankness as he was able to display
He was courteous with foreign gov
ernments and although he differed
again and again with the president as
to the wisest policy to pursue, he nev.'
er showed it to foreign government.
Whenever the president decided
question. that was enough for Robert
Lansing. Like an ambassador in a
foreign country, he followed instruc-
tions faithfully.
Has Played Big Part.
Nevertheless, it must not be sup
posed that Robert Lansing has not
exerted very great influence on our
foreign policy in the last four years.
Even before he took office, he framed
the neutrality policy of the govern
ment as counsel for the department Of
state, and is generally credited with
having been the author of the phrase
"a strict accountability" which was
used in one of the first Lusitania
notes. He wrote many drafts of notes
that never saw the presidents eye,
and many he wrote were pigeonholed
by the president.
But like a true counsellor, he was
always ready with a comprehensive
statement of the alternatives involved
Usually he gave the president the
various courses of action which could
be followed and, while politely sug-
gesting which he himself thought best.
invariably left it to the president to
choose. But Robert Lansing knew ira
ditional American doctrine and he
also put into every note he wrote a
certain liberalism and altruism, that
SO many people would promptly say
was Wilsonian.
President Got Praise.
Even on the notes for which the
president received the highest praise,
you couldn't get word out of Robert
Lansing as to the part he played. I
remember particularly one of the best
notes ever sent out by the United
States government, a communication
to the Austro-Hungarian government
about the requested embargo on arms.
Solicitors Woolsey and Secretary Ian
sing framed that note and the editor
ial praise which the president received
for doing what he didn't do, had no
effect on the feelings of the men in
La. Il
as a matter of course.
Mr.. Lansing will always be remem-
bered for his clear definition of Pan
! Americanism and for his splendid con-
ception of what our relationships
should be with the nations south of us.
i 1t is true that he didn't favor the
coupling of the league of nations with
the peace treaty, simply because he
thought better consideration could be
given to each separately.
But he didn't press his views and
when the American mission got to
| Paris, he worked as hard to help
realize the ideal which the president
lad set before the peace conference.
He wrote a plan for league Of ma
/ tions and submitted it along with the
rest, but showed no signs Of dis
| pleasure when it was not approved,
nor was he peeved at the frequent
prominence bestowed upon Colonel
House. He took the presidents idio-
syncrasies for what they were worth,
and like faithful servant. did all he
could to keep relations harmonious.
ignored by President.
But the president, instead OF ap-
preciating the self-sacrifice Of his
secretary of state. often-times forgot
he had one. He gave so much time to
! Colonel House and placed so much
confidence in the man from Texas that
it was subject of public comment on
every side. Yet, Mr.. Lansing hid his
! pride and did his Job.
| 1t was when the Shantung settle
] ment came up and when the president
| became involved in the meshes Of Eu-
ropean Diplomacy that MIR. Lansing ex-
/ pressed dissenting views on a number
| of questions, all of which served to
irritate Mr.. Wilson, who couldn't
brook disagreement. Presently. Mr..
Wilson began TO lose confidence in the
| judgment of Colonel House and when
he failed to consult him. he relied more
on Mr.. Lansing's advice. 1t began to
| lcok as if the two men would get close
| together after all. Mr.. Lansing con-
tinued to work hopefully. He didn't
| want rne DTes'uenL 10 So oh 'Hdl West
ern trip.s He thought Mr.. Wilson could
do much more effective work In Wash
| ineton and he felt. too. that the
| physicaI strain might break him down
Ready to compromise-Crime!
! But the real crux of the situation
came when Mr.. Lansing showed I'M
| nistakabIe readiness to write COM
promise on the neace treaty, willing
ness to adapt the Lodge reservations
to the Wilson viewpoint in such fash
ion that ratification could be sc-
comnlished without loss of dignity by
either side.
But Mr. Wilson was furious He
vas impatient with anyone who even
mentioned the word reservation" IN
his presence. The nearest one could
get in a communication that would not
bring forth his displeasure was the