The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-02-14
SECRETARY LANSING
ASKED TO RESIGN
(Continued from page u

VUYO8S0s ~ " da S'AApAANAS I,
that facts would be brought out winch
would mean death to the treaty.
What the effect of Lansings resig
nation by request would have on
other cabinet members who took part
IN the cabinet meetings during the
presidents illness were uncertain. All
! cabinet members and J. P. Tumuity
secretary to the president, took part
/ in calling the meetings and it was
i at these gatherings that the policy
Of handling the coal strike py lnluhc'
ton was formulated.
II was generally believed, however,
that the presidents displeasure would
extend to Lansing alone. The first
indication that the president did not
approve these meetings came several
DAYS ago when It was learned that
Lansing. at the presidents request
had called of further meetings.
Discussion as TO Lansing's sue
tcessor today conferred on Frank Polk,
undersecretary of state, who viii be
acting secretary until new appoint
ment is made.
polk is known TO be well liked by
the president who, at times, has
given evidence that he placed more
william Graves Sharp. former am
bassador to France who came TO
Washington several days ago. was
also mentioned. Friends of Attorney
General Palmer declared that Palmer
would like change in cabinet posts.
Lansing was appointed secretary OF
state succeeding Bryan He was
appointed June "a, 1915. Before then
IAnsing was counsellor OF the state
department. Lansing was appointed
because OF his knowledge of inter
national law, his appointment coming
al The time of the submarine contre-
versy between this country and Ger
many.
Lansing is a native of WaternoWn,
II ii. He is fifty-fve years old.
II was pointed out that Wilson by
condemning the holding of cabinet
meetings during his illness would
disavow responsibility for the injInc-
tion proceedings against the coal
strikers. policy which has DeHn
widely condemned by labor.
Since the president became Ill.
there have been four designations
from his cabinet. They were Score
tary of Commerce Redfield, Secretary
Oh IlR lllSTlCI LhuS, koSSASte@aS NA-sS
and Secretary Lansing
All the posts have been filled ex-
cept the one vacated by Lansing.
John B. Payne, chairman OF Tue
shipping board, yesterday was nomi-
mated to succeed Lane. This leaves
Payne's present job, an important one
y also, vacant. .
All foreign governments with which
the United States has relations were
notified by the state department today
of the resignation Of Secretary Lans-
Ing and the fact that Under Secretary
Frank L. Polk Is acting secretary.
Further Disclosures.
WASHINGTON, Feb 14.-Further
disclosures were believed imminent
today in the controversy between
President Wilson and Rooert Lansing.
which resulted In the latter's resfgna-
ton as secretary Of state.
Although Wilson's announced rea-
son for accepting Lansing's resigna-
ton was that the secretary had called
and presided over cabinet meetings
without authorization of the president,
prolonged friction over conduct OF
foreign affairs led up to the final
clash, according to the correspon-
denee between Wilson and Lansing
made public last night. The full
story of this long continued conflict
between the president and the secre-
tary of state is expected TO come to
light during the next few days.
One of the first disclosures, it was
learned today, probably will be max
ing public of the letter Of resignation
oil Henry P. Fletcher. former ambassa-
dor 10 Mexico. This letter is under
stood TO be criticism Of Wilson's
policy toward Mexico.
Its contents have been withheld,
nothing more than hint as TO its
character being permitted to leak out
since its submission some time ago.
Fletcher is understood TO have favored
the attitude toward Mexico which
Lansing took during the negotiations
over Imprisonment OF William O.
jenkins, consular agent.
This attitude was changed later.
supposedly at the instance of the
president and the exchange Of notes
with Mexico ceased.
A number OF congressman today
were seeking means OF bringing the
Nv tiSCl- l+diL5 III 3 CE<4SH bciDEt Lls ADASN
or senate for discussion No leader in
either branch OF congress, however, is
anxious to take the initiative IN such
a move. II was considered likely dis
,cussion might break out if the presi-
dent sends 10 the senate his nomina-
Etion of successor to Lansing while
Interest is still as keen as 1t appeared
today.
Frank L. Polk, under secretary Of
state, today took up the work OF act
ing secretary. He was considered q
likely candidate for Lansing's office.
but it was believed probable Wilson
would not send the nomination to the
senate for several weeks. unless he
welcomes open discussion of the
whole situation on the floor of con-
gress.
1t was learned today from an au
thoritative source that the ill-feeling
between Wilson and Lansing began
while they were in Paris. When vii