The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-31
Directed u. S. Diplomatic
DeStinieS From 1915
to.192O.
BROKE WITH WILSON
Long Period of Note Writing
With Germany Before
Conflict Recalled.
BY CARL d. GROAT
United Press Staff Corresnondent

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31.-The
scrolls of dead among the worlds
wartime statesmen bore today a new
name, that OF Robert Lansing.
President Wilson's secretary Of
state died rather suddenly late
Tuesday of heart trouble which at
tackled him only on Oct. S.
Today men high in public life in
this and other lands paid tribute
to Lansing, who directed much of
the diplomatic destinies of this
country in the days from 1915, to
1920 and sat with Clemenceau, Lloyd
George, Orlando, Henry White,
General Bliss and others in the
peace councils of Paris;
President Coolidge, sending con-
dolences to Mrs. Lansing spoke of
the famous international lawyer as
one who had done a work in war
and peace that would assure him
a place in history"
LanSing'S death brought memories
of his role in the long campaign of
note writing which Germany failed
to heed and which finally ended in
q breach that sent the United States
into war on the side of the allies.
Recall Wilson Break
Men who followed the Wilson
regime intimately recalled the cool
ness and final break between Will
son and Lansing, and there came to
light today hitherto unrevealed
touches from the drama in which
Wilson and Lansing played SO big
a role.
The writer sat in Lansing's office
In the state department the day the
secretary sent to Germany his first
sharp warning note. Germany had
declared a barred zone" around
the British Isles and had advised
this country against sending its
ships into that area.
1t was in the eyes of the Amer
can Government piece of effront-
cry, for American ships had the
right to travel where they chose
since we were neutral.
Lansing was not talking for pub
LEGATION, but he told this writer
then:
"What we have just done was tho
kindest thing we could do to Ger
many"
Many times in the months after
that, LansingS observation came
sharply to mind.
How Goodness Began
Germany disregarded this counsel,
sent in kindness" and finally in
November, 1918, capitulated, thor
oughly defeated. The outcome of the
war might have been vastly differ
ent if Germany had hardened then
to the Lansing warning or to his
subsequent notes.
During Wilson's illness, Lansing
virtually took over the reins Of gov
eminent, and the popular concep-
ton Of their breach was that Wilson
was incensed at LanSing's summon
ing cabinet meeting and calling
before it DR.. Cary Grayson, the
Presidents physician, to ascertain
the exact state of the Presidents
health without first consulting the
President.
The beginning of the difficulty,
however, it was learned, was Will
sons resentment at Lansing's failure
to act sharply enough toward the
attache of foreign embassy whom
Wilson accused of circulating I'M
pleasant stories about him.
Lansing was born in WATERFOWL,
N. Y, in 1854, was graduated from
Amherst college and admitted to
the New York bar in 1889. He
belonged to numerous clubs and
societies, had written several books
and was an associate editor of the
American Journal of International
Law.