New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-10
Democratic Leaders Admit
Ex-Secretary Has Split
Wilson Forces.
SAY 3,5OO,OOO VOTES
AWAIT HIS SUMMONS
Declare That Nebraskan Still
Longs for Presidency and Will
Be Eager Candidate.

tarv Of State. as the candidate for
President of the Prohibition party in
1916 At first thought this may seem
fantastic-a dream. Yet it is just what
some of the shrewdest Democratic poll
ticians in the country, who were in this
city Yesterday. declared was well with
in the range of possibility.
What will Mr.. Bryan do now! what
effect will his resignation and his Tut
ure actions have on the Democratic
party? Those were live questions that
were being turned over IN the MINDS
of the leaders who have taken and ex-
pect to take an active interest In the
management of the party.
When Mr. Bryan went into the Will
son Cabinet the friends of the Presi-
dent felt that it was much better for
the administration and the party IN
general to have him there than outside.
Inside the breast works he would have
10 stand by the administration. out
side he could not we'll restrain his ten
dency to crticise and lead in opposi-
tion movements.
But many believed that Mr.. Bryan
would not remain a member OF the
IADl0el lnTOuEH the lOul ltaIo Va 'hc
Presidents term. They were surprised
that his disposition had permitted him
10 remain so long as a subordinate.
The opinion was expressed yesterday
for some time the Secretary of State
had been irked by his position, and
that he had been watching for an OPP
portunity to get out with some degree
Of credit TO himself He found it in
~ l. L,4 uhAnld ha takQn hN
this country toward Germany and her
method Of conducting her warfare in so
far as non belligerents was concerned.
That Mr.. Bryan has set his face tow
ard the White House again the Demo-
cratic leaders who discussed the situa-
ton yesterday did not doubt.
"He may stay in Washington for a
while" said one OF them, "but | think
you will find him soon out on the
stump. He has got three live issues )
prohibition, woman suffrage and peace.
There is no man in the Democratic
party who has such a large personal
following. I believe there are at least
$4,000 voters who would follow him
in almost any movement he might
lead"
For two years Mr.. Bryan has been
under repression. Now that once more
he is at liberty to express his mind
openly he is likely TO find material for
attack, if he cares to use it, in the &C
ton of the administration on the
Panama Canal tolls and the shipping
bill.
1t is the view of the leaders that Mr.
Bryan will undoubtedly be a candidate
for the Democratic nomination for
President. Whether he would stand
any chance of getting it would be an
other matter. PROFESSIONALLY. how
ever, they hold, Mr.. Bryan will be able
to add to his following and strengthen
his position in the West and the
South by his advocacy of prohibition,
woman suffrage and a peace propa-
ganda.
But failing TO get such nomination
Mr.. Bryan might become the candidate
of the Prohibition party, and possibly
be nominated independently as well,
so as not TO lose the votes of those
who would not care to support pro-
hibtion principles. AS matter Of
fact, rumors have reached some of the
leaders that this is just what Mr.. Bryan
has in the back of his head. They
point out that such a candidacy would
be a serious matter for the Democratic
party, quite as serious possibly as the
candidacy of Colonel Roosevelt on the
Progressive ticket was to the Republi-
can party.
In this state few realize the strength
of the prohibition movement in the
South and West; they have no concep-
ton of how rapidly it is spreading.
And the support of the woman suffra-
gists throughout the country would be
a tremendous force to be reckoned
with.
Another factor that was discussed
was the possible support of Mr.. Bryan
by the German-American voters, who
form a not inconsiderable proportion OF
the total vote throughout the country.
Altogether the leaders fear that part
ing of the ways for President Wilson
and Mr.. Bryan can mean nothing ex-
cept future embarrassment for the ad-
ministration and trouble for the Demo-
cratic party.
From The Tribune Bureau
Washington. June 9.-The friction
between President Wilson and Secre-
tary of State Bryan was due more to
other causes than TO the sharp differ
ences over the terms of the note TO
Germany. was the opinion expressed in
dinlomatic circles here TODAY The