New-York tribune., 1914-12-24
BRYAN CAUTIOUS
IN NEUTRALITY
Would Welcome Belgian
Farmers, but Would Not
Offend Others.
tBy Cabl, 70 NJ Tribuns.I

London, Dec 23.-An interview with
Secretary Of State Bryan obtained by
:he Rev. d. MacFadyen at Mortified,
Mass, on December 7 is prominently
featured in "The Westminster Gazette"
this evening
The writer describes Secretary
Bryan as zone Of the most discussed
men in the United States" II is ex-
planned that "hs critics and political
opponents say he is a sentimentalst
and spcechmaker. while his friends and
admirers say that he is one of Amer
ica's unrecognized great men--a great
Democrat, an idealist and champion
OF the peoples cause second TO none"
BY way Of further explanation, the
writer asserts: "They say that it was
Mr.. Bryan's generosity that made Mr..
Wilson President, and that ne ought
to have the next Democratic nomina-
ton"
1t is added that when the interview
was obtained Mr. Bryan was sympa-
thetic, but rather deeply conscious
OF the restraint Of his Office" The in
terview was as follows:
Much as we may sympathize with
your cause, anxious as we are to do
what we can to relieve the distress Of
the Belgians, we must do nothing and
say nothing which can be construed
into a violation of our attitude Of po-
litical neutrality. The man in the
street may speak as he feels. but
neither President Wilson nor myself
could make any statement which might
arouse the feeling that we were favor
ing any one nation OF those now at
war.
"Our immigration laws were, OF
course, not framed for such an emer-
gency as this, but If President Wilson
were 10 promise any relaxation in
favor of the Belgians the effect would
probably be to produce immediate op-
position. The people here are very
independent. Every one says and does
as he thinks best in Congress. The
real master Of the situation is Con
gress. If the immigration laws are TO
be modified, Congress must do 1t, and
if approached through the chalrmen OF
their own committees probably the
House and Senate would agree IN
case which is so fully supported by
public sentiment as this.
"Nfr. Wilson has already expressed
his sympathy with your plan OF bring
ing Belgian agrcultuusts TO the
United States They should be vel
coined here as valuable addition to
our citizens. The qualities OF the Bel
gian gardener and farmer would be
certain to secure success here if they
get onto the right kind Of soil. They
must avoid old soils, which are not so
prolific as they were. They must come
10 definite settlement somewhere, and
not as paupers or as stray seekers OF
work. adding to the slum population
of our great cities, where already Te
have vast population Of foreign i'm
migrants whom we ind 1t hard 10 as
simulate. 800. a.,
our difficulty in case of this kind
is that we have so many nations rep
resented in the states they are very
Jealous. Your case IN England is dh-
ferent. Belgium was an ally and every
one wanted to do something to snow
appreciation Of the heroic defence OF
Liege. English hospitality was the
payment Of n debt OF honor. But II
We were 10 do here what you nave done
i'm England other nations injured oy
the war would at once appeal TO US TOO
II is doubtful whether we could take
aLy governmental action al all without
calling out that sentiment
ser everything done that can be done
by private individuals or corporations
and we shall facilitate It in every way
we can. consistent with our political
neutrality. But our action must be
philanthropic rather than political, ana
il must not be represented as express
ing Indignation at what Germany has
done. However We may think or feel
on that point, there arc many Germans
in the United States who will justify
everything Germany has done IN pei
ayes. the tribute 10 our American
ambassadors and consuls is well de-
served. They have come out well IN
the emergency. Perhaps an emergency
like this is better suited to the genus
of dinlomacv. Our people lave less
cxperience in red tape and more inltia-
tive than most Of those who take up
the work Of diplomacy