Omaha daily bee., 1914-07-05
WILLIAMS ASKED
TO RESIGN OFFICE
President Takes Exception to Ut
terances of Minister to Greece
and Montenegro.
HIS USEFULNESS AT AN END
Cabinet Decides that Criticism of
situation In Albania Highly
Improper-ResIgn
IL on the Way.

PHILADELPHIA, July 4.-President
Wilson has requested the resignation of
George Fred Williams, minister to Greece
and Montenegro, as the result OF Mr..
Williams public statements regarding-the
situation in Albania. This became known
following thsspresident' arrival here to-
day.
Mr.. Williams own report on his state
ments were taken up at the cabinet yes
terday and afterward Mr.. Wilson decided
their effect was such that It would be
improper for Mr.. Williams to longer reps
resent the United States in the Balkans.
II had been understood Mr.. Williams,
OF his own accord, has forwarded his
own resignation. but so far as could be
learned here, It has not been received
by the president.
Brya nIssues Statement.
WASHINGTON, July 3.-Responsibility
for published statements criticising con-
ditions in Albania. credited to George
Fred Williams, minister of the United
states to Greece, was disclaimed by the
State department tonight. in formal
statement issued by Secretary Bryan.
The minister's report on his activities
in the Balkans has not reached Washing
ment have been silent concerning press
dispatches quoting him.
Secretary Bryan's statement follows:
In reply to inquiries addressed to the
Department of state as to what authority
the American minister at Athens had 20
make the remarks attributed to him rela-
tive to the condition of affairs IN AL
bania, the secretary of state has replied
that Mr.. Williams was only authorized
by the Department OF State To visit Epirus
to observe conditions and report the re-
suit Of his observations to the depart
ment, and that the published remarks
which he is alleged to have made were
given solely on his own responsibility and
with no authority whatsoever from ths
department Mr. Williams report of his
visit has not yet been received"
Highly Significant.
In official circles the action or the gov
ernment in Issuing this statement without
awaiting the arrival of Mr.. Williams re-
port was regarded as highly significant
1t was said that President Wilson himself
had called the attention of the department
to the gravity of the situation suggesting
that no time should be lost in letting the
Interested powers and the world know
that in attacking the prince of Weld and
his government in Albania, Minister
Williams was not acting upon instructions
from Washington.
Press dispatches have reported the min
lister as offering his resignation but Sec
retary Bryan said the resignation had
not reached the department
British Diplomats Are Amused.
LONDON. July 4.-The English news
papers have printed the announcements
of George Fred Williams, American minis
ter TO Greece and Montenegro, on the
subject OF Albania, without comment ex-
cept in the headlines. There they have
received such labels as Amazing Action
by an American Minister and "Ameri-
can Minister'S Strange Statements" The
Times yesterday headed Mr.. Williams
second statement with the line "Ameri.
can Minister'S Further Indescretions. %
In the British foreign office and the
London diplomatic set the affair has
caused great amusement.