Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-17
PRESIDENT IN CHARGE
OF FOREIGN POLICIES
Personally Decides Upon Spirit of
All Communications Of
Importance.
STATEMENT MADE BY BRYAN
There Will BE No Announcement OF
Purposes or Action With Reference
TO Bernstorff Memorandum Until
white House Gives Authority.
Especial to The 7'imes-Dlspa,ch. ]

WASHINGTON. April I6.-Secretary
or State Bryan and other Officials OF
the state Department to-day admitted
That President Wilson decides upon the
spirit Of all communications of Import
ance from this government to other
governments, and revises their sub
stance when he deems il advisable
This revelation was made by Secre-
tary Bryan when inquiries were put TO
him relative 10 the action which the
United States would take with respect
TO the Bernstorm memorandum. Nj.
Bryan said that any reply which may
De made TO the Bernstorn communica-
lion will he made only after consulta-
ton or the State department officials
with the President.
Mr.. Bryan said that this was the rule.
whether the questions arose first at the
state Department or the White House
Other important officials of tho state
Department confirmed Mr. Bryan's
statement
ALI. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
SUBMITTED TO PRESIDENT
Ono OF the officials explained that the
Huhmission TO the President OF all i'm
portant documents written In the State
department; was for the good reason
mat he alone Is responsible FOR the
foreign policies OF the United states"
IT was stated that the frs. or the i'm =
portant communications made to Great
american shippers was retained mt the
White House for some time. ana was
not forwarded until il had been care
fully revised BY the President
It Is not secret that the Mexican
situation IS being handled by the I.resi-
dent through his personal agents
Tho last personal agent OF the prcsi-
dent sent TO Mexico is Duval West who
now turns up at Mexico City. where he
handling the question Of food for the
famine sufferers and the opening OF the
railway connections between the CAPITAL
city and Vera Cruz No state Denar,
ment official has yet ventured TO make
puonc the instructions given to Duval
west when lie was sent to Mexico
Tho japan China situation also Is re-
ceivinE the personal attention OF tho
PRESIDENT. and II Is said that his do
ciared Intention or personally directing
the diplomacy OF this government, In
connection With the Japan-Chlna issues
IS the reason why neither Secretary
ErTan nor any other official OF the State
any phase or those. Issues or the atii.
tude of the United States with rcsp.c,
20 them.
ONLY ANNOUNCEMENT
COMES FROM WILSON
Tho only authoritative announcement
which has been made here with respcc,
10 the demands Of Japan on China was
'"6"e pE tne PRESIDENT himself, and
was amply that "iuquiries' had been
made OF Japan.
There VIII be no announcement OF tho
purpose or action OF the State Depart
ment with reference TO the Berns,orn
memorandum unless authority comes
from the White House
AZ an indication OF the pol!cT which
probably would be adopted with resDect
TO the Rcrnstorn communication. an
Official cited the course which was
pursued bE this government when ac-
tusations against the good faith, OF the
United states were made biz Germany
In the case OF the steamship OdenwaId
az san Juan. The State, Department
and the White House did not act i'm
neoiately. The German communic,-
'ion went 70 the War Department. and
mo war Department sent il by mail TO
Lieutenant Colonel Ruruham com
handing AT San Juan, FOR report.
me report ts also coming by mail
IL was said that Germany must know
ny this time that the United states
government considered III. language a.,
inc Bcrnstorh memorandum most az,
'ehsive. and that the disposition was
10 give Germany plenty Of time to maxi
Froper amends on her own Initiative
~ Germany does not see fit 20 do mis-
AFTER reasonable time thit government,
~ was SAID. probably would EXPRESS
some views. but in such manner as !,
vas thought would uphold the dignity
OF the united States "without oGcriu,,
cause or Irritation TO Germany"