The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-02-17
THE REAL REASON

When President Wilson said to MIR. Lansing, III YOU would
give your present office up and afford me an opportunity to
select someone whose mind would more willingly so along with
mine, he stated the proposition clearly, and it is only uniortu-
nate that he should have felt impeIed to seek further tor
excuses with which to conceal the real purpose in requesting his
resignation.
Not only Mr.. Lansing, but Secretary Lane made it clear
that the cabinet conferences were called with the agreements oI
all members of the cabinet. and that responsibility rests equally
upon the entire cabinet. 1t is somewhat remarkable that Secre-
tary Lane should be the only other member to acknowledge ms
share OF %culpabIity.
The reason is that the meeting OF the departmental heads,
which, we have been assured, was with the knowledge Of the
president, and attended by his private secretary and personal
physician, had but slight, ii any, significance, and the real dit
ference between the president and his secretary OF state reached
the breaking point before the close OF the peace negotiations IN
Paris.
Mr. Lansing has labored under mental repression much
longer than a man of his spirit should be expected to contain
himself, and perhaps he would not have been able to bear up
under the weight Of embarrassment except for the conscious
ness that he was rendering a personal service, which, in the eyes
OF the public, would exceed the humiliation imposed upon HIM
1t was a fact remarked upon frequently by the correspond
cnts and returning soldiers as well that Mr. Lansing had no
standing viii the American delegation that in any way CORE.
sponded with his official position, or with the position occupied
by the prime ministers of other countries who were delegates to
the conference. The reason, apparently, was that Mr., Lansing 81
mind was not so plant as to go along willingly with mne.
Obviously the president does not desire an adviser in the
cabinet. As at present constituted he has none. He violated
most OF the traditions OF the government by making his closest
confdant an individual in no wise connected with the adrnins-
tration in an official capacity. Col. House retained his place
"n the sun until he ict that usage and familiarity entitled
him to advise the president, and Immediately after he dHcon-
tinued being a silent messenger and became ambitious to be a
spokesman for the chief executive he lost prestige and position
and he no LONGER has the cntree, such as he enjoyed when he was
content to take orders.
We are confident that this episode is more far-reachtng than
appears upon the surface. Clearly the president has a right 10
dismiss a member OF his cabinet, but a member OF the president
cabinet or the humblest employe in the service OF the govern
ment is entitled to a fair statement OF the causes leaolng up 10
his discharge. 1t bids fair to become a mooted question that Wui
not down among the Democrats, where sympathy VIII be d''1eu'
and the Republicans, who are in entire sympathy VIVID W.
Lansing, may be counted upon to make the most o IT,
We are OF the opinion that the president might have profit
ABLY consulted Mr.. Lansing. He might consult members OF the
congress and even private citizens with information upon puz-
cling questions and be none the verse of. Mr., Wilson
unfortunate disposition to brook no opposition; TO take no
thought OF those with contrary opinion, and to Sugmatlze his
personal friends who occasionally arc compelled to d'tier from
him on public issues does no credit to his acknowledged ability.