The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1921-03-02
Were Held Back Only Because
Publication Might Embarrass
Other Governments.
NOTHING TO HARM U. S.
Responsibility viii BE UP to
Those Who Make The
Notes Public.
By DdTid Laurence.
Especial Correspondent Of The Eve


ming Worldly
WASHINGTON, March . Copy
right, 1921. -Prcsident Wilson has
shown In these last few days Of his
ADMINISTRATION a desire TO cooperate
with the new President and his official
family and he has insisted that every
thing be cleared up In the way OF
records and official business in the
various departments.
Mr.. Wilson's latest act was to sug-
gost that Congress be furnished copies
OF all correspondence in the Treasury
Department relating to loans with
foreign governments A carload OF
documents accordingly went 10 the
Capitol to-day and thus ends a con-
troversy the exact nature OF which
may be puzzling 10 the outside world
and IL Is equally perplexlng to people
in Washington.
The Treasury has declared from the
start that so far as the United States
Government was concerned, the docu-
ments contained nothing that need
be concealed from the American peo-
pie, but that the communications from
the foreign Governments revealed
facts about their fiscal standing which
might or might not be embarrassing
20 them N made public on account
Of possible ill-effect on the relations
between one foreign Government and
another. Secretary Houston was eau
tious enough to seek advice from the
Secretary OF State because the latter
is more familiar with the viewpoint
Of foreign Governments than is the
head OF the Treasury Department
SENATORS TALKED ONE WAY,
VOTED ANoT HER.
Certain members OF the Senate 1Ju-
dietary Committee privately told
members Of the Wilson Cabinet that
there was really no special purpose
TO be served in forcing the documents
out OF the privacy OF the Treasury,
but those same Senators voted with
the others in a unanimous request
that the information be sent to the
Senate. This has puzzled the Ad-
ministration and was one OF the
things discussed In the final Cabinet
meeting OF Tuesday.
President Wilson took the position
that the action of the Senate Ju.
dietary Committee was clear and that
II any disadvantage to the good re-
lations OF the United States result.
ed from the publication OF the data,
the responsibility would rest with
those who make the information pub
lie, find that so far as the Wilson
Administration was concerned Il
should accede to the requeat OF the
Senate as expressed in the resolution
calling for the data.
Outside OF discussion Of tho for.
eign loans, TO which there was moth
ing new to be added except TO send
the data 20 the Senate, the Cabinet
talked OF routine matters at its fina
meeting. The President made sur,
that every department secretary had
concluded every piece OF bushes,
which required Executive sanction and
the meeting came TO an end. Their
| II was that Secretary Colby made Z
/ brief speech on Behalf OF the Cabinet
and Mr. Wilson thanked the Cabine
| for their service to him and shool
hands with each member.
Farewells OF this kind always have
an element OF pathos, but IL was I'M
mistakable that the departure ,ol
Woodrow Wilson from the Cabinet
meeting seemed TO carry with II more
elements OF tragedy and defeat thar
is customary with the outgoing Elk.
ecutive. This ts because Mr.. Wilson's
health Is far from good and because
his decrepit physical condition is tn,
direct result OF his overwork In Tn,
service of the Nation.
WILSON EXCHANGES LETTERS
WITH HARDING.
Mr.. Wilson has exchanged letter.
with Mr.. Harding and they seem I,
be getting closer together Mr.. VIII
son is very anxious to do the oourte
Gus thing in every way on Friday
and TO be present throughout IN
ceremonies, but II begins TO be ap
parent that Mr.. Wilson's physica
4 condition may not permit II. MI
Harding understands the situation
and will not consider II discourtes,
II Mr.. Wilson cannot be present whei
the oath OF ONCE is administered
The truth is that MIR. Wilson will b
able TO get 10 the Senate chamber bu
II Is doubtful whether he can stan,
the added walk from the Senat
chamber TO the Capitol steps, a dis
lance OF only 100 feet, but since IL in
wolves going downstairs the fear 1
that Mr.. Wilson will be unable to ac
company Mr.. Harding from the Sen
ate chamber TO the lnauguratio
stand. Mr.. Wilson could be conveye
in a rolling chair, but he refuses TO b
transported that way, and his init
mates say he Is particularly sensitiv
} about being subjected to public scru
tiny because OF his enfeebied cOndi
ton.
As the Wilson Administrative
draws 10 a close II rs gradually be
: coming known that many OF the EN-
! barrassing delays and irritation
which have resulted from Mr.. vii
sons inability 10 see callers al
largely the result Of his m healtl
and Republicans who are coming /
know the facts no longer suspect NJ
Wilson % ayoi dante Of the cussou,ar