The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-17

Bolt out OF Clear Sky.
What was the atmosphere and sit
uation when the first cabinet meeting
was called? Congress was restless, pos
lttical enemies of the president were
circulating stories that he was mentally
unable to fulhll the duties Of the pres
1dency and were talking about consti-a
tutional methods OF getting n success
sor newspapers were Clamoring to
know how the government was func-
tioning, If at all. Members of the cabs
ipet thought 1t was up to them to do
something to quiet public alarm. II was
the political and loyal side Of the Will
son following trying To meet public
criticism in an awkward situation.
The presidents friends did not know
now SICK he was, They knew only
that he needed rest and freedom from
worry, If they could only give the ap-
pearance of uninterrupted government
they felt they would be doing him a
service. So the first cabinet meeting
was held.
IL Is true DR.. Grnyson came theff as
the emssary of the president and made
It clear that Mr.. Wilson wiz curious
and, therefore, not altogether pleased
with what was happening He wanteo
it understood that no action could be
legally taken on a question on which
the president is authorized to act upon
by iaw unless the president himself
approved The cabinet took that as a
iltlul al illnltdttoll upon tnCm ana un-
derstood perfectly well what they could
and could not do But It was decided
Tor the sake of appearances, as well as
Tor the good that might come out OF
inter departmental conference and con-
sultation, TO continue the meetings.
Several IF them were held.
Maybe He Didn't Know.
White House officials pointed to them
AS proof that the government was
functioning and that all was well with
the affairs of the republic.
suddenly out Of n clear sky comes a
letter from President Wilson to Secre-
tary Lansing asking him II II was true
that cabinet meetings had been held
Nobody was more surprised than the
secretary of state. He had had differ
ences with the president and had been
intending TO resign, but he never
dreamed that the basis Of the presl-
dents action would be the calling Of
cabinet meetings, which had been
planned as a service and not a dis
service. But Mr., Lansing didn't play
the part OF little man, lie took the
rebuke politely and made his exit. lie
could have involved other men I'm the
Wilson administration who had urged
him to keep the cabinet meetings Eo-
ing. He could have involved nearly cv-
erybody In the presidents official fam
lily. But since he was made the goat.
he accepted his. fate without a Whim-
day understand.
Did the president really remain I'M
aware until last week Of the fact that
cabinet meetings were being held In
"They are not prepared" II con-
tinucs, ito commit 20 the uncontrolled
discretion of their premiers their re-
lations with the American people,
and will not tolerate for a moment
conduct which might reasonably es-
TRANCE Americans or iniure an issue
g va an. so frauFht with good
and evil as the friendship Of Amer
lea for Europe The future OF the
league of nations ana all the moral
harvest Of war hang on this friend
ship"
JUGO. PLEASED.
Paris, Feb. t7.-(HaVas)-M. 1rum-
bitch, foreign minister OF Juuo- Slavia.
has evidenced great satisfaction IN the
knowledge that President Wilson m
tends TO take part In discussion about
the Adrlatic, according to London dis
patches TO the Journal
Premier NTH, Of Italy who is sam
to be in perfect accord with Premier
Lloyd George is reported 10 have dc-
cided not 90 leave London uuti n nuol
settlement is reached.