Evening star., 1920-02-16
.LANS|NG'S PLACE
TO Be FILLED THIS
WEEK, IS |NT|MATED
Baker, One of Four Men,
toned, Was Close to
Former Secretary.

Speculation as to Mr.. Lansing's sue
of Frank L. Polk. who is secretary ad
interim by virtue Of his Office as under
secretary of the State Department;
Secretary Of War Baker, John w. Davis
ambassador to Great Britain. and Hugh
&c. Wallace. ambassador to Fr1nes.
Although Mr. Polk was among those
most often mentioned there was nothing
determination to return to private life
and the practice of law. The specula-
ton brought forth the suggestion that
perhaps the President might transfer
Mr.. Baker to the State Department. as
he did recently in transferring David F.
Houston from the Department of Agri-
culture to the Treasury Department.
May Come This Week.
Official intimation is given that Mr..
pointed before the end of the week,
even though it was said there was
mo hurry about it," as Mr.. Polk can
serve as Secretary ad interim for q
period of thirty days.
Mr.. Polk was called to his home in
New York city Saturday night by a
case of illness IN his family, but will
X
Long. third assistant secretary of
state. was in charge of affairs at the
State Department.
Mr. Baker Makes No Comment,
Secretary Baker returned today
from a short visit. to his home in
Ohio and was at his desk in the War
Department today. While in Cleve-
land Saturday night he was asked for
his views regarding the rupture be-
no Mr.
sing. former Secretary of State. He
declined positively to make any COM
ment on the situation and he main
tanned that attitude after his arrival
in this city this morning.
Mr.. Baker is in a peculiar situation.
The President has high regard for
him and has given many evidences of
special confidence in his wisdom and
judgment. In fact the Presidents
esteem of his War Secretary is SO
great that it is reported that he is
considering his transfer to the head
At the same time Mr.. Baker had
closer official relations with Mr..
Lansing, while the latter was conduct
ing our foreign relations during the
Presidents illness. than any other
member of the cabinet. That was due
ing of the armiStice all military op-
erations in Europe. Siberia and other
foreign countries were governed en-
tirely by the policies of the President
as expressed by the Secretary Of State,
In consequence conferences between
MIR. Lansing and Mr.. Baker were of
frequent occurrence, and sometimes
daily. Mr.. Baker made no secret
whatever of the fact that all foreign
military movements were governed by
the wishes of the Secretary of State.
Statements to that effect were made to
newspaper men when inquiries were
made about the return of the American
forces from Europe, including those in
northern Russia, and those operating in
eastern Siberia, as we'll as to the nos
sible use of American troops in con-
ducting plebiscites in Silesia and else
where.
Mr.. lansing Coasults Mr.. Baker.
Moreover Mr.. Baker 10 generally
credited with being one of the MEM
bers of the cabinet referred to by ME-
Lansing in his letter Of resignation
as having been consulted regarding
the holding of informal conferences
of the cabinet on interdepartmental
affairs during the Presidents illness
and agreeing with him as to their
At any rate, Mr. Bakers
regular attendance at the White
House meetings is accepted as an in
dication of his approval Of them.
When Mr. Lansing received the Presi-
dents note inquiring IL he had called
the cabinet together, Mr.. Lansing
consulted Mr.. Baker and others re-
garding the character of his response
to the inquiry. HAT Mr.. Baker was