The Washington herald., 1915-06-10
bryan BEAMS AS
HE QUITS OFFICE
Retiring Secretary Smiles All
Through Day Of Hand
shaking.
TO MAKE LETTER PUBLIC
Embassies Will Be Acquainted with
His Reasons for Leaving
Cabinet.

Col. W. J. Bryan yesterday gave every
evidence of enjoying hugely his last
| hours as Secretary of State and his re-
I gained freedom of speech and activity.
| Though his resignation was virtually
effective Tuesday afternoon, it did not
| become so officially until yesterday noon.
with the designation of Counselor Robert
Lansing as Acting Secretary ad interim
and the dispatch of the note to Germany.
which occasioned Mr.. Bryan $ retirement.
MIR. Bryan spent the morning a the State
Department saying good-by to personal
friends and holding farewell reception
to all in the State. War and Navy Build
ing who wished to shake his hand.
Career a. Secretary Ends.
His official career as member of the
present administration was finally closed
at $3.50 o'clock. when he went to the
White House by appointment to say
Cood-by to the President At the con-
cluson of this interview Mr.. Bryan went
home. An hour later he was signalling
his withdrawal from the Presidents Off
cial family by issuing at his home his
statement explaining his act and an
nouncing his future intentions.
To friends Mr.. Bryan repeatedly de-
clared he had not felt so well in long
time. He wore a broad smile all day.
and exhibited an exuberance of good
er severe manner of recent months.
He began his day with long horse
back ride alone through Rock Creek
Park. When. after breakfast. he start
ed to drive to the State Department.
John Barry. the venerable State Depart
ment coachman. climbed down off his
box and expressed to the Secretary and
Mrs. Bryan his appreciation of the many
kindnesSes received at their hands and
h tic L..
life.
Day OF Iandshakins
AS he entered his Office about $50.
scores We're waiting. hoping for an op-
portunity to say good-by to him Mr.
Bryan spoke briefly to all who accosted
him. and began at once the day Of hand
shaking.
Mr.. Bryan arranged that the texts of
his letter of resignation and the Presi-
dents reply be sent to the embassies of
the United States in the countries at
war. for the information of the ambas-
sailors and also for that of the govern
ments of those countries. The substance
of the correspondence was also trans
mitted to all the other embassies and
legations of the United States abroad.
Before Mr.. Bryan left the State De-
pa rtment. Mr.. Lansing received from the
White House the following announcement
OF his appointment as Acting Secretary
ad interim:
The Hon. William Jennings BRYAN
having resigned the office of Secretary
of State. |. Woodrow Wilson. President
Of the United States do hereby authorize
and direct the Honorable Robert Ians-
ing. Counselor for the Department of
State. To perform the duties of the Of
flee of Secretary of State for a period
not to exceed 20 DAYS until a Secretary
shall have been appointed and 1uaIi-
fed
One of the most conspicuous features
of Mr.. Bryan's administration has been
his inability to enjoy the same pleasant
relations with the Washington CORE
spondents as do his colleagues. Yesterday
morning. however. he was most genial
and cordial. When receiving them in his
office he said:
Bryan Tells a Parable
Il want you all to notice that I am not
late this morning. Sometimes | have
been late. as yesterday morning, when
! was delayed in going to Cabinet Have |
YOU ever noticed a hen trying to get her
chickens under her: Have you noticed |
how fussy and irritable she was? | have |
felt oftentimes like the hen in that re- !
spect. I've been trying to keep num- |
Der of International secrets covered I'D |
and I've been sometimes cross and |
irritable for fear that they would Green
out. We don't question tho good inten- |
tions OF the hen and | hope You will not |
question mine. So much for friction that ,
may have arisen between us. I have no |
news this morning; YOU know it all"