The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1920-02-19

apparently bewdered by the sudden resignation of Sec
rotary of State Robert Lansing IN private aa
ministration circles Officials and congressman, how
ever refused any public uterances until they have a<
time 60 into the gnaton and events leading
up to it.
The resignation of Lansing was announced at thu
State Department late yesterday, following exchange
letters which passed between Lansing and his chief Lans
ing at the request of President Wilson, who charged MI
ranking cabinet officer with trying to assume presdenta
prerogatives.
Not since the now famous resignation Of William J
Bryan Lansings predecessor on the of sending sub
marine note to Germany has the break in the presidents
official family caused so much discussion.
Talk of congressional investigation at winch the tul
story of the difficulties between Lansing and the president
would be airedthe possibility OF the resignation affect
ing the league of nations battle in the senate and possib
ty of the resignation Of other cabinet officers were some
of the things discussed.
In the course of these letters the president charged
that Lansing bv calling cabinet meetings during Pres
dent Wilson's illness virtually trying to assume the
presidents authority.
1t was pointed out that President Wilson by condemn
mo the whole Of the cabinets meetings during the illness
would disavow responsibility for the assumption of pro-
ceedng against the coal Strikers policy which has been
widely condemned by labor.
Further disclosures were believed eminent today III
the controversy between President Wilson and Robert
Lansing which resulted in the atters resignation as Sec
rotary Of state.
Although President Wilson's announced reason for
accepting Secretary Lansngs resignation that the
retary had called and presided cabinet meeting with
the authority Of the president prolonged friction over the
conduct of foreign affairs leading to the final clash &C.
cording to correspondence between Wilson and Lansing
The full story of this long continued friction between
the president and the secretary expected to come to light
during the next few days..
One of the first disclosures it learned today prob
ably will be the making public of letter OF resignation OF
Henry T. Fletcher former ambassador to Mexico. The
letter is understood to be criticism Of President Wilson's
policy toward Mexico.
It's contents have been withheld, nothing more than a
hint it's character being permitted to leak out since its
submission time ago. Fletcher is understood to
favor the attitude toward Mexico which Lansing took dur
ing the negotiations, the imprisonment of William O.
Jenkins consular agent This attitude changed LATER
supposedly at the instance of the president and the
change of notes with Mexico seized.
A number Of congressman today seeking means
of bringing the whole Wilson, Lansing clash before the
house or submit for discussion but no leader in either
branch of congress seemed anxious to take the initiative
It was considered likely discussion might break if the
president sends to the senate his nomination of
for Lansing while the incident still keen appear
ed to be today
Frank Polk under secretary of state today took up
the work Of acting secretary All fore ign governments
with which the United States has relations notified
by the state department of Lansngs resignation and the
fact that Polk is acting Polk considered likely
ddate for Lansngs office, but it was believed probable
President Wilson would not send the nomination to the
senate for several weeks unless he welcomes open dis
csslon of the whole situation the floor of congress-
was learned from authoritative that the ILL
feeling between President Wilson and Lansing began
while they were in Paris. When Wilson came back to
Washington the first me he left Lansing to carry on the
work of negotiating peace Upon Wilson's return to Paris
was learned he disagreed with many of the proceedings
participated in by Lansing and House but he left Lansing
IN Paris again when he returned to Washington after the
treaty signed Later however, he recalled him and
sent Polk to Paris to take his place.
The hostilities between President Wilson and Lansing
neared the breaking point it learned authOritatvey
while the president was on his tour Of the country sneak
ing for ratification Of the treaty last September While
the president was nthat journey, William C. Bullitt
member OF the American peace commission testified be-
peace negotiations and his mission to Russia said that
just before he left Paris for the United States Lansing
IN conversation with his said in effect, that neither the
senate nor the American people would approve the treaty
if thew knew .What il lead them