The early plans to make him Secretary of the Interior or Secretary of Agriculture have already been described.

Of all cabinet posts, however, the one that would have especially attracted him would have been the Department of State.

But President Wilson believed that the appointment of an Ambassador at one of the belligerent capitals, especially of an Ambassador whose sympathies for the Allies were so pronounced as were Page's, would have been an "un-neutral" act, and, therefore, Colonel House's recommendation was not approved.
_From Edward M.House_ Roslyn, Long Island, June 25th, 1915.
DEAR PAGE: The President finally decided to appoint Lansing to succeed Mr.
Bryan.

In my opinion, he did wisely, though I would have preferred his appointing you.
The argument against your appointment was the fact that you are an Ambassador at one of the belligerent capitals.

The President did not think it would do, and from what I read, when your name was suggested I take it there would have been much criticism.