Evening star., 1915-06-13
MIR. Bryan's Statement,
Given Out Last Night,
Answers Some Attacks

MY attention has been called to a
number of newspaper editorials and
articles which, in varying language,
ask the question Why did Mr. Bryan
sign the first note to Germany and
then refuse to sign the second? The
argument presented in the question
is based upon the supposition that the
two notes were substantially the same
and that the second note simply re-
iterates the demands contained in the
first They then declare 1t inconsis-
tent to sign one and refuse to sign the
other. The difference between the two
cases would seem obvious enough tc
make an answer unnecessary. but les,
silence on the subject be taken as an
admission of Inconsistency the follow
ing explanation is given:
The notes must be considered in con-
nection with the conditions under
which they were sent The first note
presented the case of this government
upon such evidence as we then had.
1t was like the plaintiffs statement in
facts as he presents them. ] did not
agree entirely with the language Of the
first note. but the difference was not
ST material as to justify refusal
to sign it. Then, too, l was at that
time hoping that certain things would
for Germany to acquiesce in our de-
mands. The three things which I had
in mind which. in my judgment, would
have helped the situation, were, first,
an announcement of a willingness up
on our part to employ the principle of
investigation embodied in our thirty
peace treaties; second. action which
would prevent American citizens from
travelling on belligerent ships or on
American ships carrying contraband,
oil ha nd iefa
of ammunitions; and. third, further in
sistence upon our protest against in
reference of our trade with neutrals.
thought that these three things were
that two or at least one was probable.
Germany's Alleged Facts.
Some weeks have elapsed since the
first note was sent and we have not
only failed to do any of these things
hoped for, but Germany has in the
has not only presented a number of
justified the deviation which she has
made from the ordinary rules applica :
BILE to prize cases, but she has sug-
gested arbitration.
"A rejection of the arguments which
she presented and of the allegations
made together with reiteration of
the original demands. creates a very
different situation from that which ex-
listed when the first demand vas made.
AS L have before stated, my fear has
been that owing to the feeling exist
ing in Germany the government might,
upon receipt of such a note under such
circumstances. break off diplomatic re-
llations and thus create situation out
of which war might come without the
intention of either side.
Il am sure that the President does not
want war and l am convinced that our
people do not want war: ! have no rea-
son to believe that either the German
government or the German people desire
war But war. calamity at any time
is especially to be avoided now. because
our nation is relied upon by both neu-
trails and belligerents as the one nation
which can exert most influence toward
bringing this war to an end. If we
were, by accident, to be drawn into the
the opportunity to act as a mediator. bu,
We might become responsible for draw
ing other nations into this contest.
When we see how one nation after
another has been dragged into this war
we cannot have confidence in the ability
of any one to calculate with certainty
upon the results that might follow II We
become embroiled in the war. No one
will be happier than l If the President 6
plan results in a peaceful settlement
but no one was in position to say wha,
effect our note would have upon Ger.
man. or what results would follow II
she in anger broke off diplomatic reIa.
tions and ] was not only unwilling to
assume the responsibility for the risks
incurred-risks which no one could with
any degree of accuracy measure--but
felt that, having done all could in the
cabinet. II was my duty to undertake
outside the cabinet. the work upon
which l have entered.