New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-13
IN JUDGMENT OF BRYAN
Eager Acceptance of the Ex-Sec'
rotary of States Invitation.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. Mr. Bryan invites the American people
10 "st In judgment upon" his decision to re-
sign rather than to share responsibility in it,
the note forwarded to Germany two days
ago and published this morning. Accepting
his invitation, one American offers tho follow
ing contribution in reply to his second pub
listcd statement since his resignation as Sec
rotary Of state:
The veriest fool does not question Mr..
Brvans right 20 resign an Office which neces-
states the performance Of duty contrary to
his conscience. But his indiscretion, not to
say his disloyalty. in giving TO the press ad-
verse criticism OF a vitality important inter
national document even before its publica-
ZION. merely to Justify his resignation, calls
forth the condemnation of citizens TO whom
national honor comes before any personal
consideration. The surprisingly moderate
note which has gone to the German govern
mcnt over NJ. Lansing's signature does not
warrant such an insnuaton Of it, belllger-
ent nature as was made by Mr.. Bryan before
the American people and foreign nations
could read and Judge it for themselves.
In to-day's statement Mr.. Bryan character
ICES the Presidents view and his own as
those OF force and persuasion" the alterna-
i've policies in dealing with Germanys IN
'ringement Of international and humanl-
tartan laws lie rhetorically refers TO Ger
many as philip drunk with carnage One
nigh, ask if Mr.. Bryan believes that force
should never be used with n drink-crazed m
dividual not amenabc to persuasion IN order
70 protect the community.
Mr. Bryan asks: Shall the opponents Of or
gained slaughter be silent while the disease
SPREADS" Shall they. indeed? Not while the
President, backed by all the American people
EXCEPT n few misguided pacitists, stands
ready 70 say TO the deliberate destroyers OF
the lives of non -combatant American citizens:
Thus far shalt thou go and no further.
The Pharisaic reference TO the Scriptures
are misplaced and unconvlnclng and the
Bible is often quoted in support Of false as
we'll as Of true doctrines. BY them Mr.. bryan
implies that he and those agreeing with him
are the only followers Of the Prince OF Peace,
while the President and all who support nm
are arrayed on the side of war This IS
scarcely consistent with the assertions made
in Mr. Bryan's letter Of resignation, that they
were both striving for peace. but by different
methods. The untimeliness of his resignation
and subsequent attitude on the Presidents
policy seem to indicate pique at the recogni-
ton of the ability Of Counsellor Lansing, now
acting as Secretary of State, an acknowledged
specialist on international law, for whose
competence the American nation can well be
grateful in this crisis.
Since the publicity given to Mr.. Bryans
peace views enc cannot but wonder whether
he may have inspired the billboard notice
recently appearing in various conspicuous
points about the city, which is an ingeniously
fallacious appeal to the public to uphold the
President and stop the expectation Of arms
to Europe The Womens Peace party has de-
MED responsibility for it, and the president
of the organization mentioned therein has
protested its independence Of the German
government. It would be interesting to know
its origin.
New York, June II, 1915. A. Z. ABELL.