esignation.

Mr. Lansing had made Washington his home for many years, and when
the new Democratic Administration came into power he believed his
services to the party entitled him to recognition, and he sought
the appointment of Third Assistant Secretary of State. The Third
Assistant Secretary is the official Social Secretary of the
Government. When royalty or other distinguished persons come to
this country as the guests of the nation the Third Assistant
Secretary is the Master of Ceremonies. He has to see that all the
forms are properly complied with and nothing happens to mar the
visitors' enjoyment; he sends out invitations, in the name of the
State Department, to the funerals of Ambassadors or the
inauguration of the President. But for some reason Mr. Lansing's
praiseworthy ambition was defeated.

Mr. Moore had knowledge, learning, and experience, but he was
denied the gift of divination. Had he known that a few months later
a half crazed youth in an unheard of place was to be the
unconscious agent to set the whole world aflame, undoubtedly he
would have put up with Mr. Bryan's curious ideas and peculiar
methods and stuck to his desk at the State Department, and Mr.
Lansing would never have been heard of. But at the turning point in
Mr. Moore's career his luck deserted him and Mr. Lansing became the
beneficiary. Mr. Lansing, who would have been satisfied with the
appointment of Third Assistant Secretary of State, a minor place in
the hierarchy, was appointed by Mr. Wilson Counselor of the
Department of State.

The appointment created no excitement. In March, 1914, foreign
affairs had little interest for the American people. There was
Mexico, of course, and Japan; there were the usual routine
questions to form the customary work of the department; but the
skies were serene; murder, rape, and sudden death no one thought
of; Lloyd's, which will gamble on anything from the weather to an
ocean tragedy, would have written a policy at a ridiculously low
premium on the maintenance of the peace of Europe; any statesman
rash enough to have predicted war for the United States within
three years would have aroused the concern of his friends and the
professional solicitude of his physician. Apparently Mr. Lansing
had tumbled into an easy and dignified post which would not unduly
tax his physical or mental strength. He could congratulate himself
upon his good fortune.

A few months later the situation changed. The State D