Robert Lansing

Robert Lansing
Robert Lansing
42ndUnited States Secretary of State
	In office; June 24, 1915 – February 13, 1920; Acting: June 9 – 24, 1915
President	Woodrow Wilson
Preceded by	William Jennings Bryan
Succeeded by	Bainbridge Colby
3rdCounselor of the United States Department of State
	In office; April 1, 1914 – June 23, 1915
President	Woodrow Wilson
Preceded by	John Bassett Moore
Succeeded by	Frank Polk
Personal details
Born	October 17, 1864; Watertown, New York,U.S.
Died	October 30, 1928(aged 64); New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Eleanor Foster (1890–1928)
Education	Amherst College(BA)

Robert Lansing(/ˈlænsɪŋ/;October 17, 1864 – October 30, 1928) was an American lawyer and diplomat who served as Counselor to the State Department at the outbreak ofWorld War I,and then asUnited States Secretary of Stateunder PresidentWoodrow Wilsonfrom 1915 to 1920. A conservative pro-business Democrat, he was a strong advocate of democracy and of theUnited States' role in establishing international law. He was an avowed enemy of German autocracy and RussianBolshevism.^[1]Before U.S. involvement in the war, Lansing vigorously advocated freedom of the seas and the rights of neutral nations. He later advocated U.S. participation in World War I, negotiated theLansing–Ishii Agreementwith Japan in 1917 and was a member of theAmerican Commission to Negotiate Peaceat Paris in 1919. However, Wilson madeColonel Househis chief foreign policy advisor because Lansing privately opposed much of theTreaty of Versaillesand was skeptical of the Wilsonian principle ofself-determination.

Career

Robert Lansing was born inWatertown,New York,the son of John Lansing (1832–1907) and Maria Lay (Dodge) Lansing. He graduated fromAmherst Collegein 1886, studied law, and was admitted to thebarin 1889.^[2]

From then to 1907, he was a member of the law firm of Lansing & Lansing at Watertown. An authority on international law, he served as associate counsel for the United States, during theBering Sea Arbitrationfrom 1892–1893, as counsel for the United States Bering Sea Claims Commission in 1896–1897, as the government's lawyer before theAlaskan Boundary Tribunalin 1903, as counsel for the North Atlantic Fisheries in the Arbitration atThe Haguein 1909–1910, and as agent of the United States in the American and British Arbitration in 1912–1914. In 1914 Lansing was appointed counselor to the State Department by PresidentWoodrow Wilson.Lansing, who had argued cases before Judge Nicholas D. Yost in Watertown, was responsible for encouraging the judge's son, future AmbassadorCharles W. Yost,to join the Foreign Service.^[2]^[3]He was a founding member of theAmerican Society of International Lawand helped establish theAmerican Journal of International Law.^[2]

World War I

Lansing initially advocated for the United States to adopt a position of "benevolent neutrality"after the outbreak ofWorld War Iand opposed theblockade of Germanyby theAllied powers.^[4]

Following the sinking of theRMSLusitaniaon 7 May 1915 by the German submarineU-20,Lansing backed Woodrow Wilson in issuing three notes of protest to the German government.William Jennings Bryanresigned as Secretary of State following Wilson's second note, which Bryan considered too belligerent. ConsultingColonel House,Wilson was advised to select Lansing as replacement secretary because he did not have "too many ideas of his own". Unlike Bryan he lacked a political base, though he had technical knowledge of international law and diplomatic procedure. Wilson toldColonel Housethat as president he would practically be his own Secretary of State, and "Lansing would not be troublesome by uprooting or injecting his own views."^[5]

According to John Milton Cooper, appointing Lansing and then "treating him like a clerk" would be one of Wilson's worst mistakes as president. While Wilson set foreign policy directions almost entirely on his own, Lansing resented this treatment, and attempted to undermine the president in various ways.^[6]As Lansing said in his memoirs, following theLusitaniatragedy he had the "conviction that we would ultimately become the ally of Britain". According to Lester H. Woolsey, Lansing expressed his views by manipulating the work of the State Department to minimize conflict with Britain and maximize public awareness of Germany's faults.

Woolsey states:

Although the President cherished the hope that the United States would not be drawn into the war, and while this was the belief of many officials, Mr. Lansing early in July, 1915, came to the conclusion that the German ambition for world domination was the real menace of the war, particularly to democratic institutions. In order to block this German ambition, he believed that the progress of the war would eventually disclose to the American people the purposes of the German Government; that German activities in the United States and in Latin America should be carefully investigated and frustrated; that the American republics to the south should be weaned from the German influences; that friendly relations with Mexico should be maintained even to the extent of recognizing the Carranza faction; that the Danish West Indies should be acquired in order to remove the possibility of Germany's obtaining a foothold in the Caribbean by conquest of Denmark or otherwise; that the United States should enter the war if it should appear that Germany would become the victor; and that American public opinion must be awakened in preparation for this contingency. This outline of Mr. Lansing's views explains why the Lusitania dispute was not brought to the point of a break. It also explains why, though Americans were incensed at the British interference with commerce, the controversy was kept within the arena of debate.^[7]

German historianGerhard Ritterwrote of Lansing in this period: "Lansing had the coolest head among all of Wilson's advisers. His power politics were least inhibited by moral considerations and pacifist impulses."^[8]

In 1916, Lansing hired a handful of men who became the State Department's firstspecial agentsin the newBureau of Secret Intelligence.The agents were initially used to observe the activities of theCentral Powersin America and later to watch over interned German diplomats. The small group of agents hired by Lansing would eventually become the U.S.Diplomatic Security Service(DSS).

Later life

In 1919, Lansing became the nominal head of the US Commission to theParis Peace Conference.Because he did not regard theLeague of Nationsas essential to the peace treaty, Lansing began to fall out of favor with Wilson, who considered participation in the League of Nations to be a primary goal. During Wilson's stroke and illness, Lansing called the cabinet together for consultations on several occasions. In addition, he was the first cabinet member to suggest forVice President Thomas R. Marshallto assume the powers of the presidency. Displeased by Lansing's independence, Edith Wilson requested Lansing's resignation. Lansing stepped down from his post on February 12, 1920.^[9]

After leaving office, Lansing resumed practicing law. He died inNew York Cityon October 30, 1928, and was buried at Brookside Cemetery inWatertown, New York.

Personal life and family

Through his father Lansing was descended fromThomas Dudley,John Allin,Samuel AppletonandThomas Mayhew.Through his mother he was descended fromMiles Morgan,John Mason,Roger Williams,Anne HutchinsonandJohn Cutt.^[10]In 1890, Lansing married Eleanor Foster, the daughter of Secretary of StateJohn W. Foster.^[11]Eleanor's older sister Edith was the mother ofJohn Foster Dulles,who also became Secretary of State,Allen Welsh Dulleswho served asDirector of Central Intelligence,andEleanor Lansing Dulles,an economist and high level policy analyst and advisor for the State Department.^[12]^[13]

New York State SenatorRobert Lansing(1799–1878) was his grandfather; ChancellorJohn Lansing Jr.and State TreasurerAbraham G. Lansingwere his great-granduncles.

Authorship

Lansing was associate editor of theAmerican Journal of International Law,and with Gary M. Jones was the author ofGovernment: Its Origin, Growth, and Form in the United States(1902). He also wrote:TheBig Fourand Others at thePeace Conference,Boston (1921) andThe Peace Negotiations: A Personal Narrative,^[14]Boston/New York (1921).

Lansing kept a voluminous archive of US government communications during WWI, which are a key resource on US thinking and decision making in this period.

"Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, Volume I".1939.

"Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, Volume II".1940.

Legacy and honors

During World War II theLiberty ship SSRobert Lansingwas built inPanama City, Florida,and named in his honor.^[15]

References

^David Glaser (2015).Robert Lansing:A Study in Statecraft.Xlibris Corporation. pp. 1–3.ISBN 9781503545014.
^^a ^b ^c"Robert Lansing - People - Department History - Office of the Historian".history.state.gov.Retrieved2023-03-08.
^"Robert Lansing | United States statesman | Britannica".britannica.Retrieved2023-03-08.
^Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, Volume I, Document 277.The enclosure states, "If the British Government is expecting an attitude of “benevolent neutrality” on our part—a position which is not neutral and which is not governed by the principles of neutrality—they should know that nothing is further from our intention. "
^Arthur S. Link,Wilson: the struggle for neutrality 1914-1915(1960) 3:427-428
^John Milton Cooper,Woodrow Wilson: a biography(2009) p. 295
^Lester H. Woolsey, "Robert Lansing's Record as Secretary of State." Current History 29.3 (1928): 386-387
^Ritter, Gerhard (1972).The Sword and the Scepter vol III: The tragedy of statesmanship.University of Miami Press. p. 143.
^Williams, Joyce G. (1979). "The Resignation of Secretary of State Robert Lansing".Diplomatic History.3(3): 337–343.doi:10.1111/j.1467-7709.1979.tb00319.x.JSTOR 24910117.
^Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine
^Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State,Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Robert Lansingaccessed 13 January 2010
^Internet Accuracy Project,John W. Fosteraccessed 13 January 2011
^Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State,Biographies of the Secretaries of State: John Watson Fosteraccessed 13 January 2011
^Lansing, Robert (21 November 2018)."The peace negotiations, a personal narrative".Boston, New York, Houghton Mifflin company – via Internet Archive.
^Williams, Greg H. (25 July 2014).The Liberty Ships of World War II: A Record of the 2,710 Vessels and Their Builders, Operators and Namesakes, with a History of the Jeremiah O'Brien.McFarland.ISBN 978-1476617541.Retrieved7 December2017.

Gilman, D. C.;Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "Robert Lansing".New International Encyclopedia(1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by William Jennings Bryan	U.S. Secretary of State Served under:Woodrow Wilson 1915 – 1920	Succeeded by Bainbridge Colby

[1] David Glaser (2015).Robert Lansing:A Study in Statecraft.Xlibris Corporation. pp. 1–3.ISBN 9781503545014.

[:0-2] "Robert Lansing - People - Department History - Office of the Historian".history.state.gov.Retrieved2023-03-08.

[3] "Robert Lansing | United States statesman | Britannica".britannica.Retrieved2023-03-08.

[4] Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, Volume I, Document 277.The enclosure states, "If the British Government is expecting an attitude of “benevolent neutrality” on our part—a position which is not neutral and which is not governed by the principles of neutrality—they should know that nothing is further from our intention. "

[5] Arthur S. Link,Wilson: the struggle for neutrality 1914-1915(1960) 3:427-428

[6] John Milton Cooper,Woodrow Wilson: a biography(2009) p. 295

[7] Lester H. Woolsey, "Robert Lansing's Record as Secretary of State." Current History 29.3 (1928): 386-387

[8] Ritter, Gerhard (1972).The Sword and the Scepter vol III: The tragedy of statesmanship.University of Miami Press. p. 143.

[9] Williams, Joyce G. (1979). "The Resignation of Secretary of State Robert Lansing".Diplomatic History.3(3): 337–343.doi:10.1111/j.1467-7709.1979.tb00319.x.JSTOR 24910117.

[10] Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine

[11] Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State,Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Robert Lansingaccessed 13 January 2010

[12] Internet Accuracy Project,John W. Fosteraccessed 13 January 2011

[13] Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State,Biographies of the Secretaries of State: John Watson Fosteraccessed 13 January 2011

[14] Lansing, Robert (21 November 2018)."The peace negotiations, a personal narrative".Boston, New York, Houghton Mifflin company – via Internet Archive.

[15] Williams, Greg H. (25 July 2014).The Liberty Ships of World War II: A Record of the 2,710 Vessels and Their Builders, Operators and Namesakes, with a History of the Jeremiah O'Brien.McFarland.ISBN 978-1476617541.Retrieved7 December2017.

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v t e United States Secretaries of State
Secretary of Foreign Affairs 1781–1789	R. Livingston Jay
Secretary of State 1789–present	Jefferson Randolph Pickering J. Marshall Madison Smith Monroe Adams Clay Van Buren E. Livingston McLane Forsyth Webster Upshur Calhoun Buchanan Clayton Webster Everett Marcy Cass Black Seward Washburne Fish Evarts Blaine Frelinghuysen Bayard Blaine Foster Gresham Olney Sherman Day Hay Root Bacon Knox Bryan Lansing Colby Hughes Kellogg Stimson Hull Stettinius Byrnes G. Marshall Acheson Dulles Herter Rusk Rogers Kissinger Vance Muskie Haig Shultz Baker Eagleburger Christopher trips Albright trips Powell trips Rice tenure trips Clinton tenure trips Kerry trips Tillerson trips Pompeo trips Blinken trips
List of international trips made by secretaries of state of the United States

v t e CabinetofPresident Woodrow Wilson(1913–1921)
Vice President	Thomas R. Marshall(1913–1921)
Secretary of State	William Jennings Bryan(1913–1915) Robert Lansing(1915–1920) Bainbridge Colby(1920–1921)
Secretary of the Treasury	William Gibbs McAdoo(1913–1918) Carter Glass(1918–1920) David F. Houston(1920–1921)
Secretary of War	Lindley Miller Garrison(1913–1916) Newton D. Baker(1916–1921)
Attorney General	James Clark McReynolds(1913–1914) Thomas Watt Gregory(1914–1919) A. Mitchell Palmer(1919–1921)
Postmaster General	Albert S. Burleson(1913–1921)
Secretary of the Navy	Josephus Daniels(1913–1921)
Secretary of the Interior	Franklin Knight Lane(1913–1920) John Barton Payne(1920–1921)
Secretary of Agriculture	David F. Houston(1913–1920) Edwin T. Meredith(1920–1921)
Secretary of Commerce	William C. Redfield(1913–1919) Joshua W. Alexander(1919–1921)
Secretary of Labor	William Bauchop Wilson(1913–1921)

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