Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 136, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 June 1915 — BRYAN RESIGNS AS SECRETARY OF STATE [ARTICLE]

BRYAN RESIGNS AS SECRETARY OF STATE

Opposed to German Note Which Wilson Insisted Upon Results in Withdrawal from the Cabinet. WASHINGTON, June B.—Secretary Bryan’s letter of resignation was as follows: “My Dear Mr. President: “It is with sincere regret that I have reached the conclusions that I should return to you the commission of Secretary of State with which you honored me at the beginning of your administration. “Obedient to your sense of duty and actuated by the highest motives, you havq prepared for transmission to the German government a note in which I can not join without violating what I deem to be an obligation to my country, and the issue involved is of such moment that to remain a member of the Cabinet would be as unfair to you as it would be to the cause which is nearest my heart, namely, the prevention of war. “I, therefore, respectfully tender my resignation, to take effect when the note is sent, unless you prefer an earlier hour. Alike desirious of reaching a peaceful solution of the problems arising out of the use of submarines against merchantmen, we find ourselves differeing irreconcilably as to the methods which should be employed. “It falls to your lot to speak officially for the nation, I consider it to be none the less my duty to endeavor as a private citizen to promote the end which you have in view by means which you do not feel at liberty to use. “In severing the intimate and pleasant relations which have existed between us during the past two years, permit me to acknowledge the profound satisfaction which it has given me to be associated with you in the important work which has come before the State Department and to thank you for the courtesies extended. “With the heartiest good wishes for your personal welfare and for the success of your administration, I am, my dear Mr. President, Very truly yours, ♦ “W. J. BRYAN.” THE PRESIDENT ACCEPTS. The President’s letter to Mr. Bryan was as follows: “My Dear Mr. Bryan: “I accept your resignation only because you insist upon its acceptance, and I accept it with much more than deep regret—-with a feeling of personal sorrow. Our two years of close association have been very delightful to me. Our judgments have accorded in practically every matter of official duty and of public policy until now; your support of the work and purposes of the administration has been generous and loyal beyond praise; your devotion to the duties of your great office and your eagerness to take advantage of every great opportunity for service it offered has been an example to the rest of us; you have earned our affectionate admiration and friendship. Even now we’ are not separated in the object we seek, but only in the method by which we seek it. “It is for these reasons my feeling about your retirement from the secretaryship of state goes so much deeper than regret. I sincerely deplore it. Our objects are the same and we ought to pursue them together. I yield to your desire only (because I must and wish to bid you godspeed in the parting. We shall continue to work for the same causes even when we do not work in the same way. “With affectionate regard, sincerely yours, “WOODROW WILSON.”

The greatest surprise the nation has experienced since the beginning of the Wilson administration came with the announcement of the resignation of Secretary of State Bryan and the acceptance of it by President Wilson. The two notes published herewith set forth the cause of the resignation. The action at this time will 'be regretted in many ways unfortunate, for it is apt to have the effect of leaving the impression abroad that there is a division of sentiment in America. It has caused consternation at home because it leaves no doubt of the break between the president and his premier. Bryan was doubtless conscientious in his objection to the note which had been framed to send to Germany and evidently regards it as a step that is apt to lead this nation into the foreign conflict, which certainly very few people want to happen. Until the note is made public, comment on the action is impossible with fairness. The Republican believes that the United States should go very slow in taking any action against Germany. There is no room for us on the battle front except such room as England would willingly make to have this country fight her battles. It is not our fight and we should stay out, clear out. Germany wants to buy cotton and foodstuffs of the United States and England will not permit us to send them to German ports. But all of the time we are sending munitions of war to the allies. It is,not fair and the American people, diwakened as they understand the facts are opposed to our submission to England’s domination of the seas against the interests of our neutral dripping and then having them try to protect the shipment of ammunition to them by hav-

ing Americans as passengers on a ship carrying the contraband. It would be mighty easy for this country to say to England “You'must permit us to sell our cotton, our meats, our clothing to Germany. It is -our -right, guaranteed by international law. If you stop these cargoes we will refuse to permit you to receive from this country any cannon, ammunition, horses, mules, airships or military equipment.” A wise policy would have been to have said this in substance when England dismissed our feeble note of protest. Some one at Washington was near-sighted. There was need for a firm hand that was not there. Such action would have saved the Lusitania incident. Germany retaliated against England’s policy of starvation. What nation would not? The same paper that gives an account of the resignation of Mr. Bryan tells of negotiations to sell to the allies $100,000,000 worth of ammunition and yet cotton is rotting in the south because Engalnd says we can not deliver it to a customer who wants to buy and is ready to pay. Some defend our policy in supplying ammunition to the allies on a commercial basis and yet they are willing that England should destroy our market for cotton and the necessities of life. Some say that the allies would be placed at a great disadvantage if we refused to sell them munitions of war to carry on their fight and yet they are willing that we shall contribute to the starvation of Germany by permitting England to intercept and hold up our Shipments. It’s a strange neutrality and enough to make a split in a cabinet of such “well-mearrnig” men as Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan.