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 Department
became not only the center about which the whole machinery of the
Government revolved but on it was focused the attention of the
country and the thoughts of Europe.
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