Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-06-14
MIX. BRYAN'S DEFENSE,
Nav York WOrld)

tion.
uv affixed his signature as secretar'
Of state to a declaration that the I'M
perial German government Will no
nvnect The government of the United
states to omit any word or any ac
,,ocessarv to the performance of IL
sacred duty of maintaining the rights
~ The United States and It's citizens
ana of safeguarding their free exercise
and enjoyment
Yesterday as a private citizen he af
fixed his signature to a statement de
clarlng in effect that in time of wal
American citizens have no rights tha
ANYBODY is bound to respect
without waiting until the presi
dents note is received in Berlin or I'M
MI il is made public at home, Mr.
I}rvan undertakes to arouse public
opinlon against the policy OF the pres.
ident and array II on the side of his
own policy--a policy that could moi
better SUIT the present purposes ol
mo German government IL II had beer
formulated by Herr Won Jagow him
self.
There are two parts to Mr.. Bryan's
protest against the course that the
president has adopted. The first is
mat the differences between the Unit
cd States and Germany should be
submitted TO investigation by an In
,ernational commission, a years time
IA he allowed for inquiry and report.
This Is a highly excellent procedure
ia its application to many questions OF
International dispute But by what
process OF human reasoning does Mr..
Bryan apply ii TO continuing offense
of murder and destruction?
German submarines are killing
American citizens and destroying
American ships. The German govern
ment refuses to abandon or TO modify
this lawless method Of warfare. Mr.,
BRYAN. thereupon, calmly suggests
that We refer the issue to an interna-
tional commission, to report in year.
German submarines, in tn, meantime,
will continue TO kill American citizens
and sink American ships. only at
the end of twelve months will the
United states be free to take measures
TO protect the lives of such OF its citi-
zens as survive and to safeguard such
Of its ships as have managed to es-
cape the vigilance of the German sub
marine commanders.
The second part of Mr. Bryan's pro-
test is even more preposterous than
the first He would try to prevent
American citizens from travelling upon
belligerent ships or upon ships car
ryng ammunition, in order 10 spare
the government the trouble OF pro-
teeting their rights. TO use Mr..
Bryan's own language.
Why should an American citizen
be permitted to involve his govern
I. ali hpi /
ngerent ship when he knows that the
chip will pass through a danger zone?
The question Is not whether the
American citizen has right under in
ternational law to travel ON a belliger-
ent ship; the question is whether he
ought not. out Of consideration for
his country, IL not for his own safety
to avoid danger when avoidance IS
possible"
BY the same process Of reasoning,
American citizens ought to avoid ev-
cry exercise of their legal rights if a
belligerent foreign government seeks
To abridge those rights. Americans
should not try to carry on lawful neu-
trail trade if Germany or Great Britain
wishes to interfere with that trade
Americans ought to keep off the high
seas if it suits the purposes of bel
llgerent to keep them off the high
seas.
To Mr. Bryan there is no legal diff
ference between warning Americans
out OF Mexico. which is foreign soil,
and warning them off the high seas,
which belongs to us as much as they
belong TO Germany. lie Is willing to
abandon the ancient rights Of all neu-
trails upon the sea rather than enforce
those rights against the edicts of
lawbreaking beliigerent.
This is the very negation Of inter-
national law Were such a. policy
adopted by the government, the Unit
ed States would be reduced to the
status of a hermit nation. Its trade
would be at the mercy OF every bellig-
erent that sought to stifle it, Its citl-
zens could leave the soil of their own
country only at their personal peril.
It's rights would be scraps Of paper
IN every corner of the world, Its honor
would be flouted in every capital. Its
citizenship would be badge OF
shame Even China makes pretense
OF unfolding the rights of its people.
II yields to superior force, but ii does
NOT voluntarily submit TO the wrongs
lnat are imposed upon it.
not reconciled yesterday morning to-
Ar Bryan's resignation from the Of
nee OF secretary of state, he must be
reconciled today in the light of Mr..
nfyan's own justification OF his ac-I
uoh- We can conceive of nobody less
nued FOR that great office than man
VINO puts forth such objections to the
Wesldents policy as Mr.. Bryan avows
~ me name Of peace and interna-
uohal comfy. Idealsm carried to such
eAuaNagant extremes is a national
menace in secretary of state. In a
prlyate citizen, as Mr.. Bryan now is
~ only what the American people
allow it to be.
IS unfortunate that there should
nave been a division in the cabinet
unfortunate that Mr.. Bryan
snVuld have abandoned the president
we time when every consideration
~ loyalty and national welfare de-
"snded his answering support of the
aglestuent 1t is unfortunate that he
s'Vuid seek to prejudice the popular
Sr,.nu against the presidents note toll
n'inahy before that note has been
,aue public Ii is unfortunate that
Il, should side with Germany against
Wy. Onlted States on a question in
I,ss,h the interests not only of the
tu1eeu states but of all other neu-
bo are vital. 1t is unfortunate that
rio would rather allow the whole fab
au,o International law to be swept
anss than help to defend 1t against
shorI,s- 1t is unfortunate that he
hsnsu nave seen fit TO strengthen the
s aanu of the German government
sa'nst President Wilson. But these
Me- matters which we must leave to
wet of history
"s. BRYAN'S PLAIN Duty.