DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRESIDENT WILSON AND SECRETARY OF STATE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7339, 16 February 1920, Page 3

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRESIDENT WILSON AND SECRETARY OF STATE.

Leads to Resignation of Mr

Lansing.

By Toloyraph—Pros3 Association—Copyrigb Australian and X.Z. Cable Association Rec Feb. 15, evening. Washington, Feb. 13. President Wilson wrote to Mr Lansing, Secretary of State, on February 7, asking if it were true that Mr Lansing called a Cabinet meeting .during Mr Wilson's illness, and pointing out that no one save the President had authority to do this.

Vlr Lansing replied: "Yes; do you think I failed in my loyalty to you." Mr Lansing also ten dered his resignation.

It is further stated that the correspondence between Mr Lansing and President Wilson, which led to Mr Lansing's resignation, has brought out the fact that there has been a growing difference between the two men for some time.

President Wilson states in one letter that he felt that while he and Mr Lansing were, still in Paris that Mr Lansing accepted the President's guidance and direction with increasing reluctance, and that he attempted to forestall President Wilson's judgment in many matters.

Mr Lansing, in replying, stated that he long ago wished to resign, because since January,io,l9, he felt that President Wilson no longer welcomed the Secretary for State's advice pertaining to negotiations in Paris, and io international affairs generally, but he withheld his resignation, fearing it would be misinterpreted abroad and would embarrass the President. Mr Lansing concluded by pointing out that he neither wished to belittle nor to be a ursurpcr of the President's authority by calling the Cabinet meeting.

A report states that despite the loss of pDwer in the left arm and leg President Wilson expects to preside at Cabinet meetings shortly. The tone of his letter to Mr Lansing is taken as an indication that he is in full possession of his former strength, intellect, and capacity for initiation.