New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-18
Secretary of States st. Pat
riCk's Day Speech ConSid-
cred Almost an Affr0nt
to Great Britain.
SLAP AT ALL M0NARCHIES
Many Important Negotiations
Open and Corps in Wash
ington Is Watching
Public Utterances
Closely.

Washington, March 17.-That the
Wilson administration, so long as Will
lam Jennings Bryan retains the port
folio Of State, will be characterized by
shirtsleeve diplomacy of the most ex-
treme character is the rapidly forming
conviction of the diplomatic corps. who
have been noting every utterance of the
new Secretary to gain light on his
probable conduct Of foreign affairs.
That Secretary Bryan. on whom has
deyolved the somewhat delicate task Of
settling with Great Britain the con-
troversy over the Panama Canal tolls.
and who will be confronted soon with
negotiations with the British Ambassa-
dor for the extension of the general
arbitration treaty soon to expire.
should take occasion in practically his
first public speech since he become Sec
retary Of State 10 refer to the deg
radiation of the House Of ords" and
TO take decided stand in favor Of
Home Rule for Ireland is. 10 put it
mildly. source of amazement to the
diplomatists in Washington
Indifferent to Effect Of Utterances.
Hardly less surprising was Secretary
Bryan's declaration that within less
than two years the Irish all over the
world can celebrate freedom for Ire
land in view OF the fact that the
Home Rule question is one of the livest
issues in Great Britain at the present
time That the Secretary of State has
failed completely 10 distinguish be-
tween the innocuous character of Brit
ish batting by the editor of The Com
moner" and sentiments and language
Of this character uttered by the Secrc-
tary OF State Of the United tetes Is
the view expressed by some members
Of the diplomatic corps. But there are
others who adhere TO the view that
THE Commoner" IS wholly indifferent
10 any affront which may be given by
his ST. Patrick's Day utterances, so
long as they serve TO promote his own
popularity with pro-Irish voters in the
United states.
Nor did the Secretary OF State contine
his speech OF Saturday night 10 twist
ing the tail of the British lion. Ger
tain Of his utterances are construed as
sufficiently catholic 10 constitute an
affront TO every diplomatic representa-
tive Of a monarchy, among these being
the following:
"The fighters for Home Rule are
fighters OF a world wide battle. and
those who oppose it have sounded the
death kneIl Of hereditary government
Thus does truth aid truth; thus does
wrong destroy wrong
Affront to British Attsohe.
II has been suggested that probably
Mr.. Bryan overlooked the fact that one
OF the attaches Of the British EmbaSs Ssy
in Washington, who i'm tho natural
course of events may have to transact
business with TN, Secretary Of State.
Is Lord Eustace Percy, member or
that Parliamentary body 10 the deg
radiation" OF which Mr.. Bryan referred
50 eloou ently. The occasion for Sec
retary Bryan's tailtwisting extraordi-
nary was the ST. Patrick's Day ban
Quet given on Saturday night by the
Irish Americans of Washington"
Almost the first public act of Mr..
.Bryan's administration was the publ
Continued on second page. second column.