Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-03-25

Secretary Lansing finds the mandate
system of administration conquered ter
ritories a selfish device benefiting ma
terial interests of the Misunderstanding
powers under cover of apparent al
trufsm. 1t was sought to take ad-
vantage of the unself1shness OF the
American people to impose burdensome
mandates on the United States while
giving profitable ones to European
powers.
Opposed Mandate Systems.
Mr.. Lansingop posed the mandate
system in talking with Colonel House
but never knew whether his objections
were conveyed to the President. In
connection with other problems his
communications sent directly to the
President We're never acknowledged, nc
cording TO Mr.. Lansing. who found Mr.
Wilson intolerant of suggestions; ir-
ritated by opposition. and seemingly
suspicious of the secretary's views
after November -. 1918, when Mr.
Lansing incurred his dlspleasure ny
urging him not to go to Paris person
ally.
MIR, Lansing opposed the mandate
of William c. Bullitt before the Senate
foreign relations committee. Mr.. Bull
lit quoted MIR. Lansing saying that
If the American people understood what
the treaty let them in for they would
defeat IL. Mr. Builitt entirely changed
the meaning of what had been said TO
him in Paris. Mr.. Lansing declares. The
President at this time was campaign
ing for the League of Nations In the
West and Mr.. Lansing telegraphed to
him Offering to explain the interview
wit hut lA l. tA.,s1 q
never answered his telegram.
Because OF the pressing need of
peace. Secretary Lansing. despite his
differences with Mr.. Wilson, continued
TO favor ratification of the treaty and
covenant without reservations. This
he did as long as there was a chance to
secure an early peace by this method.
Some OF the high-spots of Mr.. Lam
sings book are shown in the following
tcxtual extracts:
''I cannot but feel that my open op-
position to his attending the conference
was considered by the President TO he
an unwarranted meddling with his per
sonal affairs, and was none of my
business
He (Mr. Wilson said with great
candor and emphasis that he did not in
tend TO have lawyers drafting the
treaty of peace. The Presidents sweep
ing disapproval of members of the legal
profession participating in the treaty
making seemed to be. and believe was.
intended to be notice TO me that my
counsel was unwelcome."
One may infer that the President was
disposed TO employ the general long
ing for peace as a means of exerting
pressure on the delegates in Paris and
on their governments TO accept his plan
for League"
The President having in the report
(on the League of Nations) declared
the American policy. his commissioned
were bound to acpuiesce
in his decision whatever their personal
views were. Acquiescence or resigna-
ton WAS the choice"
Il think that il is not unjust to say
that President Wilson was stronger
in his hatred than In his friendships.
He seemed to lack the ability to forgive
one who had in any way offended him
or opposed him
THE time given to the formulation
OF the Covenant of the League of Ma
tions and the determination that il
should have first place in the negotia-
tions caused such a delay in the pro-
ceedings and prevented a speedy res
toration of peace. Denial Of this is