Mr. Lansing's answer is that he was quite unaware that
he was acting either unconstitutionally or against the President's wishes. He had no thought, he says, except that of carrying on the affairs of the country as well as possible in the circumstances, and in such a way as he supposed would be agreeable to Mr. Wilson. " If, however," he adds, " you think that I have failed in my loyalty to you, and if you no longer have confidence in me and prefer to have another to conduct our Foreign Affairs, I am of course ready, Mr. President, to relieve you of any embarrass- ment by placing my resignation in your hands." Mr. Wilson's reply to that letter was that he was " very much disappointed."• He goes on to say : " I find nothing in your letter which justifies your assumption of Presidential authority." He then explains that as no action could be taken by the Cabinet without the President's sanction, there could have been no disadvantage in waiting.
