Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-06-09
BRYAN RESIGNS.
..HI. S[CRETARYSH|P
President Accepts and Re-
tirement Takes Place
at Once
PEACE VIEWS CAUSE
Action Followed His Inability to
Embody His Principles Concerning
Foreign Matters.

Washington, June William Jen-
nings Bryan, three times Democratic
candidate for the Presidency Of the
United States, and author Of nearly
80 peace treaties with the principal
nations of the world, resigned yes
terday as Secretary of State, as a
dramatic sequel to his disagreement
with President Wilson over the Gov
ernment's policy toward Germany.
The resignation was accepted by
the President. The Cabinet then ap-
proved the response which had been
prepared to the German reply to the
Lusitania note. Acting Secretary
Robert Lansing will sign the docu-
ment and today it will be cabled to
Berlin.
>, The following is. Mr.. Bryan's COM
munication to President Wilson.
My Dear Mr.. President:
1t is with sincere regret that !
have reached the conclusion that |
should return to you the commission
of Secretary of State with which you
honored me at the beginning of your
administration.
Obedient to your sense of duty and
actuated by the highest motives, you
have prepared for transmission to
the German government note in
which | cannot join without violating
what I deem to be an obligation to
my country, and the issue involved
is Of such moment that to remain a
member of the Cabinet would be as
unfair to you as it would be to the
cause which is nearest my heart,
namely, the prevention of war.
/, therefore, respectfully tender
my resignation, to take effect when
the note is sent unless you perfer an
earlier hour; Alike desirous of reach
ing a peaceful solution of the pro-
blems arising out of the use of sub
marines against merchantmen, we
find ourselves differing irreconcila-
bly, as to the methods which should
be employed. -.
It falls to your lot to speak otti-
cially for the nation; consider it to
be2none, the less my duty to endeavor
as private citizen to promote the
end which you have in view by means
which you do not feel at liberty to
F. use.t
In severing the intimate and plea
san relations which have existed be-
tween US during, the past two years
permit me to- acknowledge the pro-
found satisfaction which it mas given
me to be associated with you in the
important work which has come be-
fore the State Department, and to
thank you. for; the courtesies extend
ed.
With the heartiest good wishes for
vour personal welfare and for the
success of your administration am,
my dear Mr.. President,
Very truly yours,
w. J. BRYAN
The Presidents reply was as fol-
lows: !,
My Dear Mr.. Bryan:
| accept your resignation only
because you insist upon its accept
ance, and, l accept it with much more
than deep regret, with feeling Of
personal sorrow. Our two years Of
close association have been very de-
lightful to me. Our judgements havi
accorded in practically every mat
ter of official duty and of public po
Icy until now; your support OF th'
work and purpose of the administra
ton has been generous and loyal be
yond praise; your devotion to the du
ties of your great Office and you
eagerness to take advantage Of ever.
great opportunity for service it of
fered have been an example to th'
rest of US; you have earned our af
fectionate admiration and friendship
Even now we are not separated. il
the object we seek bat only in tn
method by which we seek it.
r. ;s for these reasons my feelin