The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1915-06-10
FIRST DIFFERENCES ON NOTE
TO GERMANY AROSE MAY I3


Washington, d.. C.,@That there
had been friction between the presi-
dent and Mr.. Bryan has been the
undercurrent of comment for several
weeks, but as the president hereto-
fore had always been able to secure
the ~acquiesence of the secretary in
his point of view, talk of resignation
was discounted generally. 1t came 10
light today that the position of Mr..
Bryan in the cabinet recently had be-
come very embarrassing, his advocacy
OF peace being so pronounced that
other members ofsthe cabinet, who
felt that the United States should
assert itself i~rrespective OF the con
sequences, were understood to have
IN one occasion declared their inten-
ion of resigning if a policy of firm
ness and vigor ere not adopted.
The real disagreement dates gack
% the famous session of the cabinet
when the note of May 13, following
the sinking of the Lusitania, was
drafted, informing Germany that the
United States would not omit ''any
word or act" to protect its rights.
At that time Mr.. Bryan made, a
speech counseling peaceful measures
and cautious actions. He gave his
consent to signing the note, only af-
'er it was tentatively arranged that
4 statement at the White House
mould be issued and transmitted to
the German government, announcing
hat inasmuch as Germany had ac-
3epted the principle of the peace
treaties negotiated between the
United States and other countries,
Inference between the two nations
might be adjusted by a commission
Of investigation. Opposition to this
course was most vehement in some
,abinet quarters, and the president,
after having considered at length Mr.
proved at the hour the note was sent,
Some cabinet officers declared that
such an appendix to the note of May
13 would be construed abroad as
u weakening of the American posi-
ion and their counsel prevailed. Since
then the Official relations of Mr.
Bryan with the president and other
;abinet officers have been somewhat
strained, although the closest person
al friendship has been maintained.
Admiration and praise of the
courageous manner in which MIR
Bryan had fought for and held to his
convictions We're expressed by Off
;ials on every side, Including those
who have been most vigorous in the
to his policy.
The strong personal attachment o.
he president and Mr.. Bryan has long
l ,pDY1 rntiooo h1n II, 1,atr a1,ar,,l,, mss.
%erences. Even yesterday, as the,
net in the cabinet room, their greet
ng was II of affection and regard
1t became known only last nigh
that twice before in the two year.
land three months of his term Mr.
Bryan had offered to resign so as tx
ave the president from embarrass
ment and each time the president re
used to accept the resignation
Throughout the constant newspaper
bombardment of Mr.. Bryan for hi!
views on peace, his advocacy of pro
hibition and his speeches on TIL,
Ichautauqua platform the presiden
has stood by the secretary, %resentin,
criticism of him.
In domestic affairs the two mel
who were at the helm OF the demo
cratic party in it's first ascendanc,
nto power in 16 years co-operatet
most tremendously. Often Mr.. Bryan
Welded some of his own views as OF
the currency bill. and used his in
fuence to assist the presidents pro
gram in Congress. 1t was not sur
pfising, therefore, to officials ane
friends to learn that the latter con
tinued %undaunted in his support O
the president politically. although
he could not remain in the cabine
and give him official help on a mat
ter of principle which affected his en-