The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-06-09
BRYAN QUITS HIS JOB IN A huff,
BUT COUNTRY SURVIVES THE SHOCK

lO I'LL OllUUh
PEELED "to quit" The president agreed
finally that this was so, and Bryan left
the service Of the gov' y >nent today.
In leaving, Bryan J yes that he
will be able to do wcA nat will make
@sttsr! fos psace. He sai1 discussing the
Il will do e'.t can to crystalize
the sentim< = of the country behind
the suggest, IS that I originally made
to the president. AS l explained in
my letter of resignation, the presi-
dent did not feel that he could change
his position. That was the right way
for him to look upon the matter, as
he is entirely honest in his beliefs.
Blu; as a private citizen, I can tell
the people of the United States why
1 believe that my plan is the better
and the one that must be adopted If
the nation is to keep out of this war.
THAT is what hope to accomplish.
If l can convince the people of the
United States that my plan will aid
LII u SoCl NlA5 tAC pSeSS, SASy SeAAh 49,
that fact be known and then, the pres
ident can adopt new methods.
You see my position was much diff
ferent from the other members Of the
cabinet. They voted to approve the
note. But would have had to sign it.
And could not sign it when 1 be-
lieved that the methods proposed in
it were not the methods that l be-.
lieved should be used. / have been
pledged to the principles of arbitra-
ton. do not know whether German5
would have accepted the suggestion
iif made, but l believe that it should
have been made"
No Surrender
[By John Edwin Nevin, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June 9.-Facing
the greatest crisis in recent American
history. President Wilson stood firm
today on a policy of mo surrender"
of American rights.
No matter what the cost, he was
prepared to emphasize the doctrine
Of protection for Americans, Were
ever they may go. Secretary Bryan's
resignation from the cabinet Aad
solidified the administration.
The note to Germany was being
put in state departmental code. 1t
was to go on the cables before night.
fall. Affixed to it was the name OF
Robert Lansing, acting secretary, who
becomes secretary in fact, the mo
ment the note starts on it's way, the
Bryan resignation being framed TO
become effective then.
Official Washington was still dazed
today over the cabinet crisis. 1t had
been hoped to the very last that
some way would be found whereby
Bryan could retain his post, thus
emphasizing to the world that what
ever the administration policy. i!
had the united support of all factions
in the nation. The hope was vain.
Bryan's position was found to be fr.
recopcilable and the president finally
decided that he would have to allow
him to quit. 1t was feared thai his
retirement would have bad effect on
the German position, but the presi-
dent and the two men most In his
confidence just now, Secretaries Gar
rison and Lane, argued that delay
would merely make the crisis more
acute.
In allowing Bryan to step down and
that Germany would be impressed
with the seriousness of Americas de-
termination to insist that her rights
under internal law be scrupulously
Bryan, himsel; was said to
be hopeful that this would be the
way the thing would work out
Some of those close to the president
believed that if Bryan had thought
his retirement over at least another
night, he might have agreed to sign
the note under protest and withheld
his resignation. With the knowledge
that the secret haG leaked, however.
the president ordered the letters OF
resignation and acceptance made pub
lie, and closed the inciednt. &4
It will be several days before the
full effect of the crisis can be deter
mined.
WatchfuI Waiting. q
In the first place, although Bryan
resigned because he insisted his con.
science would not let him sign docu-
ment which he considered a virtual
to Germany, the actual
contents of that note are still with
held and will be. it is expected, until
it is in the German foreign Offices
hands. Should Germany see the note
in the light in which President VIII
son and his advisors claim to have
penned it, all will be we'll If It'll
should meet with curt rejection.
however. the president viii be forced
to recall Ambassador Gerard and
break off diplomatic relations Al
though this would not be nm act OIL