Robert Lansing

Robert Lansing (1864–1928) was an American lawyer and diplomat who served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson from 1915 to 1920. His tenure was marked by significant international challenges during and after World War I, and he played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during a transformative period. Below is a detailed overview of his life, career, and relationship to the Dulles siblings. Early Life and Background • Born: October 17, 1864, in Watertown, New York. • Education: Graduated from Amherst College (1886) and studied law, being admitted to the New York bar in 1889.

• Family Connection: Lansing married Eleanor Foster, the daughter of John Watson Foster, who served as Secretary of State under President Benjamin Harrison (1892–1893). Eleanor Foster’s sister, Edith Foster, married Allen Macy Dulles, and their children were John Foster, Allen, Eleanor, and their siblings. Thus, Lansing was the uncle by marriage to the Dulles siblings through his wife’s family.

• Early Career: Practiced law in Watertown, specializing in international law, and became involved in diplomacy through his father-in-law, John Watson Foster, who mentored him and his nephews. Career as Secretary of State (1915–1920)

Lansing was appointed Secretary of State on June 9, 1915, succeeding William Jennings Bryan, who resigned over disagreements with Wilson’s policies as World War I escalated. Lansing served during a critical period, navigating U.S. neutrality, entry into the war, and postwar peace negotiations.

Career

1 U.S. Neutrality (1915–1917): ◦ Lansing advocated a pro-Allied stance while Wilson maintained official neutrality. He believed Germany’s actions, particularly unrestricted submarine warfare, threatened U.S. interests. ◦ He negotiated the Lusitania crisis (1915), pressing Germany to limit submarine attacks after the sinking of the British liner, which killed 128 Americans. ◦ Established the Bureau of Secret Intelligence (BSI) within the State Department, authorizing agents to investigate foreign saboteurs and gather intelligence, a departure from traditional U.S. diplomacy.

2 World War I and U.S. Entry (1917): ◦ Supported U.S. entry into the war after Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram (1917) revealed German overtures to Mexico against the U.S. ◦ Helped shape Wilson’s Fourteen Points, though he was skeptical of their idealism, particularly the League of Nations, preferring pragmatic diplomacy.

3 Paris Peace Conference (1919): ◦ Lansing served as a U.S. delegate to the Versailles Peace Conference, where his nephew John Foster Dulles was legal counsel to the U.S. delegation, working under him. ◦ He opposed harsh reparations on Germany, aligning with Dulles’ arguments, but clashed with Wilson over the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, believing the treaty was too punitive and the League impractical without U.S. domestic support. ◦ His strained relationship with Wilson deepened as Wilson sidelined him, relying more on advisor Edward House.

4 Resignation (1920): ◦ Frustrated by Wilson’s refusal to compromise on the League of Nations and his exclusion from key decisions, Lansing resigned in February 1920 after Wilson accused him of disloyalty for convening cabinet meetings during Wilson’s illness. ◦ His departure marked the end of his formal government service, though he remained influential in diplomatic circles.

Influence on the Dulles Siblings

Lansing’s marriage to Eleanor Foster made him a central figure in the Dulles family’s diplomatic network. His wife was the aunt of John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles and Eleanor Lansing Dulles, and his father-in-law, John Watson Foster, was their grandfather. This interconnected family, rooted in Watertown, New York, produced a remarkable lineage of diplomats, with Lansing’s pragmatic and interventionist approach influencing the Dulles siblings’ worldview.

• Mentorship: Lansing played a significant role in advancing the careers of John Foster and Allen Dulles. Through his father-in-law, John Watson Foster, he provided early diplomatic opportunities, such as John Foster’s role at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference. • Family Dynamics: The Dulles siblings grew up in a family steeped in diplomacy, with Lansing and Foster as towering figures. Lansing’s Watertown roots and Henderson Harbor summer home (near the Foster family compound) fostered close ties with the Dulles children.

Legacy

Lansing’s pragmatic approach to diplomacy and skepticism of Wilson’s idealism influenced John Foster Dulles, who later emphasized strong domestic support for foreign policy and adopted a hardline stance against communism.

• Editing Memoirs: In the 1930s, John Foster and Allen Dulles edited Lansing’s memoirs, removing material they deemed unflattering, such as details suggesting Lansing was sidelined during Wilson’s Fourteen Points preparation, reflecting their protectiveness of the family reputation. Later Life and Controversies

• Post-Government: After resigning, Lansing returned to international law practice in Washington, D.C., and wrote two books on the Paris Peace Conference, offering critical perspectives on Wilson’s policies. • Criticism: Some historians view Lansing as overly cautious and pro-corporate, prioritizing U.S. business interests. His creation of the BSI was controversial for introducing espionage into U.S. diplomacy, a practice later expanded by Allen Dulles at the CIA.

• No Major Scandals: Unlike the Dulles brothers, Lansing’s career was relatively free of personal scandals, though his disagreements with Wilson drew public attention.

Death and Legacy

• Died: October 30, 1928, in New York City, at age 64. • Impact: Lansing’s tenure laid groundwork for modern U.S. diplomacy, including intelligence-gathering and economic-focused foreign policy. His influence on the Dulles siblings helped shape their careers, contributing to their prominence in Cold War-era U.S. foreign policy.