Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-02-14

Mexican issue again came To the front
with the kidnapping and subsequent ar
rest OF American Consular Agent Jen-
kins. in Mexico. After the jenkins case
had been discussed at cabinet meetings
presided over by Mr. Lansing, the state
department sent note to carranza,
bluntlv warning him that further
''molestation' of Jenkins would serious
" affect the relations between the
United States and Mexico, for which the
government of Mexico must assume sole
responsibility.
President Wilson was advised of a
situation which apparently had grown
acute. and he was said st the time to
have personally taken charge of the
matter. The Mexican government delayed
It's reply for sometime and, subsequent
". Jenkins was released on bail furnish
ed BY ]. Salter Hansen without the
consular agents knowledge .Jenksns'
ease still is pending in the Mexican
courts.
They Conferred by Notes
While few members Of the cabinet
have conferred with Mr.. Wilson since
he was taken i'll. If is said that Mr..
Lansing has not seen him. and that
whatever business he had with the presi-
dent had been carried on By daily cor
respondence. Before the president left
L.
Lansing. after bis return from Paris,
had a standing engagement TO see him
daily and he visited the White House
each noon to discuss foreign and other
Frank l.. Polk, under-secretary
Of state. will be made secretary ad-
interim Saturday to act until President
Wilson appoints 4 successor to Mr.
Lansing. This is expected to be in the
near future.
Several names are suggested in ad-
circles. but nobody admits
having definite information as to whom
the president has in mind for the place
Chief among those suggested was Mr.
Polk, but his friends say that he will
not accept the appointment If offered
him. because of the state of his health.
Takes umbrageat Cabinet Parieys.
The state department issued the Tor
lowing statement:
Secretary Lansing has resigned and |
his resignation has been accepted. TAX |
ing effect today. Following is the cor |
respondence between the president and |
Secretary Lansing:
THE White House.
Washington. Feb 7. 1920.
My dear secretary.
Is it true. as | have been told. thas
during my illness, you have frequently
nents of the government into confer
nnce? Ii il is, | feel il my duty to call .
your attention to considerations which
do not care to dwell upon until learn
rom you yourself that this is the
act.
Under our constitutional law and
practice, as developed hitherto, no one
mt the president has the right to sum
non the heads of the executive depart
nents into conference, and no one but
he president and congress has the right
o ask their views or the views of any
me of them on any public question.
II take this matter up with YOU be-
aIse in the development Of every CON
titutional system, custom and precedent
re of the most serious consequence,
nd | think we will all agree in desiriu.
ot to lead in any wrong direction. |
ave. therefore, taken the liberty Oh ,
friting you to ask you this question ,
nd am sure you will be glad to ans /
rer. {
II am happy to learn from your re-
ent note to Mr.. Wilson that your |
trength is returning. +,
Cordially and sincerely yours.
"WOODROW WILSON. /
Hon. Robert Lansing, ii
Secretary of State
Lansing Admits Conferences.
1.-THE secretary of state, Washington.
eb. 8, 1920. Z
MY Dear Mr.. President: =
1t is true that frequently during | {