South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-03-29
Other Editors Than Ours
MIR. LANSING's VIEWS.
0ndianapOIis NewSD

The book of former Sec'y Lansing is a contribu-
ton to the history of the peace conference thai
should be welcomed by ALL for all points Of view
must be considered if any sound conclusions to
be reached. A thousand years hence historians viii
be gravely dispuung the subjects discussed by
Mr. Lansing 1t would, therefore be very foolish TO
expect agreement on all points by all authorities a:
the present time.
It is hard to see how any good can come out Of
the controversies that will be stirred by the book.
Undoubtedly the president made mistakes AMI
erievous ones. There will be agreement with Mr..
Lansing that it would have been better if Mr. Will
had not participated in the deliberations Of the
undoubtedly that ne traded in order get his
League of Nations. and perhaps surrendered too
much But the world will likely 10 agree
with Gen. SHUTS in thinking that the president won
q victory when he got his league, part
Of the treaty Mr.. Lansing himself was, after the
thing done, strongly in favor of the ratification
of the treaty and covenant without reservations. In
other words he like the president willing 70
sacrifice much. from his point Of view TO get a re-
suit. As 10 the Shantung provision defends
IT,. Il Is known that the president himself did
not AR Lansng's contention is that Mr.. Wilson
bluffed and blackmailed into the concession which
he need not have made.
is undoubtedly that the president took
of the burden himself. conferred little with
his colleagues. was reluctant 10 take advice, and
doubt he did distrust lawyers as when he said TO
Lansing that he did intend 10 have lawyers
drafting the treaty OF peace" IL is clear that the
breach between the two men had come long before
the actual break, Even Mr. Wilson with all his in
frmities of temperament would not have treated a
man in whom he had entire confidence as, according
@ this book, he treated MT. Lansing The former
secresrys theory that the president forgave
him for advising against his going to Paris Wheth-
er the president could have better treaty a
better covenant raises questions that purely
speculative. what all realize is that he under
took a very difficult job devoted himself TO II with
whole heart. assuming all responsibility and
Jec;ng ignoring the advice Of his appointees.
and brought home a treaty and league which Lans-
himself while differing from the president radi-
Cally. thought, al things considered. should have
Ieen accepted. and on the acceptance OF which
with reservations so much depends Whether any
one. even Mr. Lansing. could. under the extraor-
binary difficult circumstances. have done better may
be doubted The issue is in way changed-it IS
treaty and the Ieague, both OF which should
be-Of course with reseryations-ratifed, and at
early day.
a NIr. Lansng's book IL is the expression OF
a trained diplomat justifyng his course and
freely concedng the great Eowers OF his chief one
not help thinking, however, that the secretary
could have been more effective had he resigned
from the cabinet before the president sailed for
France and after IL became apparent that he would
not heed nor even counsel with his secretary OF
state.