The Spectator., 1915-06-11
BRYAN RESIGNS AS
 SEC'Y 0F STATE
BELIEVES DOCUMENT MAY DRAW UNITED STATES INTO WAR
 WITH GERMANY.
REGRET VOICED BY WILSON
Letter of Resignation Hinged With Deep Personal Feeling and
 Affection.

Washington. - William Jennings Bryan resigned as secretary of state as dramatic sequel to his disagree ment with President Wilson over the governments policy toward Germany.
 Rather than sign the document, which he believed might draw the United States into war, MT Bryan submitted his resignation in letter. which says, the issue involved is of such moment that to remain a mem Der of the cabinet would be as un- fair to you as it would be to the cause which Is nearest my heart, namely, the prevention of war"
 The president accepted the resigpa- tion in letter of regret, tinged with deep personal feeling of affection The letters follow:
 Secretary Bryan's letter of resigna- 1 tion was as follows:
 My Dear MT President It is with sincere regret that have reached the conclusion that 1 should return to you the commission of secretary of 'SNNNS NAbAA NhiSu SOu GU Dtc at the beginning of your administration. "Obedient to your sense of duty and actuated by the highest motives, l you have prepared for transmission to the German government a note ill which l 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 member of the cabinet would be un- fair to you as it would be to the cause which is nearest my heart, name ly, the prevention of war 4 "I therefore respectfully tender ,ny resignation, to take effect when the note is sent, unless you prefer an earlier hour. Alike desiroas of reach ing peaceful solution of the prob- lens arising out of the use of subma- rines against merchantmen, we find ourselves differing irreconcilably as to the methods which should be en- ployed.
 Tt falls to your lot to speak official ly for the nation; I consider it to be none 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 use
 Tn severing the intimate and pleas ant relations which have existed be- tween us during the past two years, permit me to acknowledge the pro- found satisfaction which it has given me to be associated with you in the important work which has come be- fore the State Department, and tG thank you for the courtesies extended
 With the heartiest good wishes for your personal welfare and for the success of your administration, I am, my dear MT. President,
 Very truly yours,
 (SignedD "W. J. Bryan" President Wilson's Acceptance.
 The presidents letter to MT. Bryan was as follows:
 My dear MT. Bryan:
 "I accept your resignation only be- ] cause you insist upon its acceptance: and l accept it with much more than 1 deep regret, with a feeling of per l sonal sorrow. Our two years of close l association have been very delightful i to me. Our judgments have accorded | in practically every matter of official | duty and of public policy until now. ] your support of the work and pur- 1 poses of the administration has been i generous and loyal beyond praise: | your devotion ,o the duties of your 1 great office and your eagerness to l take advantage of every great oppor- tunity for service it afforded has been an example to the rest of us; you have earned our affectionate admira- 1 tion and friendship. Even now we are not separate in the object we 1 seek, but only in the method by which we seek it.
 ''lt is for these reasons my feeling about your retirement from the secre- | taryship of state goes so much deeper than regret l sincerely deplore it. | Our objects are the same and we ought to pursue them together. sub 1 init to your desire only because I must and wish to bid you God speed | in the parting. We shall continue to work for the same cause, even when we do not work in the same way With affectionate regard.
 Sincerely yours, Woodrow Wilson,