The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-04-15
OBSERVERS ASKING
/ HOW LONG BRYAN IS
TO STAY IN CABINET
Recent Events Interpreted
as Ignoring the Secretary
in State Matters
STATEMENTS ARE ALL
FROM WHITE HOUSE
In Casting About for English Ambas-
sador Men We're Chosen Who
Have Been Generally Hos
tile to Bryan
By c. II. STEWART

| by G. IL. STEWART
| Washington, April 14-(Special How
long will William ]. Bryan remain in the
Wilson cabinet? This is question now
freely discussed though in guarded
undertsone in political circles in WASH
ington There is no question, at least so
far as can be seen, that the relations be-
tween the President and his premier are
entirely cordial and sympathetic Yet,
old time observers in Washington declare
that Mr.. Bryan is Secretary of State in
name and less in reality to larger degree
than any man who has filled that place
for many administrations. If this state of
affairs continues, it is pointed out that
| there is but one way for it to end, and
that is, Mr.. Bryan will resign.
1t is pointed out as extremely slgnifi-
cant that Mr.. Bryan up to the present
time has taken no apparent part in the
administration Of his own department
further than to take the oath and wear
the title of office. Three important diplo-
matte questions have called forth ac-
ton by the new administration and in
each instance action was taken from the
White House and in the name of Presi-
dent Wilson.
First Word From White House
First was the declaration of the admin
| istration's attitude toward the Central
and South American republics, which was
regarded as an expression of position the
| party in power would take on the Monroe
doctrine. This statement was issued from
the White House. Ordinarily such a mat
ter would have been handled through the
| department of state in the name of the
Secretary, speaking for the President.
Next came the pronunciamento on DOL
lar Diplomacy" with especial reference
| to the Chinese loan. 1t likewise came
| from the White House, although it was
| essentially a state department matter, for
| the ambassadors of five great powers In
| terested with the United States in the
| Chinese loan question should have been
/ informed through the state department
of the changed attitude of this govern
ment At least not to do so was a marked
| departure from former customs and so
unusual was this procedure in diplomatic
matters that comment was called forth
from all the chancellories of Europe.
/ Attitude Toward Chinese Republic
The third development indicating that
! President Wilson, while he has an able
and distinguished Secretary of State is
| to a great extent transferring the duties
|
| the action taken in regard to the proposed
recognition by the United States of the
new Chinese republic. The announcement
of the intention of this government was
not issued from the state department,
through Secretary Bryan, but from the
| White House in the name of President
| Wilson. This may be another matter of
| breaking presidents, and may be with
the full and cordial consent of the Secre-
| tary of State, but it is so out of the usual
| that there is considerable speculation.
| When statements relative to internal
tional affairs are made from the depart
ment of state, it Is always to be taken
for granted that they have the sanction
| and approval of the President When
they are made from the White House it
does not necessarily follow that they re-
| fleet the views and wishes of the premier.
This has been pointed out by members of
! the diplomatic corps in Washington and
/ other experts. However. in the three in
| stances cited coupled with their announce
| ment at the White House was an an
nouncement that Secretary Bryan APP
| proved the position of the administra-
ton.
More Fuel Added to Gossip
Another straw which has added fuel
| to the gossip is what has been done so
| far with reference to diplomatic appoint
ments. Every appointment or tender of
an anlbassadorship has come from the
| White House. The first man to whom
| President Wilson rendered the post of
Ambassador to Great Britain. Richard
| Olney, is a man with whom Mr.. Bryan
never had anything in common politically.
| and no one by any manner of rg4l1otton
| could have believed him a Bryan ck11o-1
| ton.
| And now finally comes the selection ~
| Walter Hines Page editor of the World
| M Do
| has consistently been a most caustic critic
| of Mr. BRYAN, and even since his selection
there appears in his April magazine an
editorial If not from his own pen at the
| least by his approval which cannot posi-
bly, be twisted into a compliment to the
Secretary of State. In this editorial Mr..
| Page says in part: president Wilson's
| cabinet is, as whole, wisely chosen"
| He then briefly deals with individuals
carefully, refraining from mentioning Mr..
Bryan. Then: when we come to, the
| three political appointments-well, they
are political Their choice is legitimate
| provided the departments entrusted to
these gentlemen do not suffer. The state
portfolio the President must himself hold
whenever important foreign questions
come up"
Alibi for Mr.. Bryan
Certainly when Mr. Page penned that
nara graph he did not expect to be ap.
| rointed ambassador to the most important
post in the diplomatic service to serve
under one of the Presidents political
Iappointees nor would he have suggested
the possibility of 1.-THE departments en-
trusted to these gentlemen suffering.
This editorial itself is an abb for Mr..
| BRYAN to the American public that he
did not select the ambassador to England.
IT is not believed. at least not In demo-
cratic ranks. that there will be an omen
| rupture between the President and Mr..
BRYAN, but it would not occasion surprise
If Mr. Bryan would soon begin to feel
| the restraint of his position and come to
the conclusion that his talents were being
hid under the Wilson bushel.
i In addition to that Mr.. Bryan Is looked
lupon as certain to be an active candidate
for the presidential nomination of his
party in 1916. He is the most aggressive
| I'D yocate of the on term idea and 1t Is
said to be his opinion that the most inn
portant plank in the democratic national
platform adopted at Baltimore Is that one
which commits the party to the PROPOSE
tion that President shall not be eligible
for recollection. If these things all be
rue there may be some foundation IN the
telief of MANY that Mr.. Bryan will not
re among the councillors of the Presi-
'ent around the cabinet table for any
9TH, ne