Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-06-17
Resented Fact He Was Premier
of Cabinet In Name Only
and Used Note as Pre-
text, Claim.
APPEALS TO THE GERMANS
Urges Those In America to Be
Loyal, Condoning Criticism
of u. S. Policies In For
eign Affairs.

Washington, u. c.. June 14.-Wash-
ington has about come around to the
belief that the resignation of William
j. Bryan from the cabinet was due.
not to the new note to Germany. not
to the belief that this note was really
a warlike ultimatum, but to a feeling
on NJ. Bryan's part, extending over
q period of some months, that he was
no longer the premier Of the cabinet
except in NAME, and that his influence
on the administration was waning.
Pique and dissatisfaction because he
felt he waa being more and more ig-
nored, and because he believed other
men about the president were domi-
mating the policies of the government,
rather than he; likewise the feeling
that elements In the democratic party
TO which he Is hostile have lately been
getting into the saddle. These are
among the basic reasons for the course
taken by the recent secretary of state,
Ignored; Resented It.
In this connection, 1T is an interest,"
ing fact that In diplomatic circles the
trend Of inside comment OF the res
ignation of Mr.. Bryan is that 1t was
due. not to the presidents German pol
ICY pIjIIldIllyt buL DcSuusS mi'
considered he was being ignored.
For weeks and months intimates OF
Mr.. Bryan have been whispering In
his ear that men close to the admins
tration were trying to stick a Knife
in him and that they were taking pains
to set on foot gossip. through the news
papers and otherwise, calculated to
get him.
Mr.. Bryan would not believe such
stories at first, but gradually he is said
to nave become convinced. NeWs2a-
pers' stories telling how he was beinA
ignored. how the president and Rob-
ert Lansing We're conducting he for
etgn affairs Of the government, how
his chief part in the correspondence
with foreign powers vas to sign his
name, how he was getting irrftated
over conditions-all these things and
others akin to them more n more
made Mr.. Bryan FESTIVE and determined
to quit.
That he was casting about for a
plausible reason for making his exit,
and likewise for a chance to stage a
dramatic departure, has come to be
quarters here.
Old Friends criticise Him.
In high administration circles. 1t is
well known that this substance Is the
opinion which Is held. The affectionata
protestation of Mr.. Bryan that he Is out
to help the Wilson administration is
not taken seriously. 1t is certain hat
practically every politician in Wash
ington, whether democratic or republic
can, entertains no illusions as to the
purposes of the lately resigned secre-
tary of state to make himself useful In
giving support to the president. Some
OF the bitterest men in The capitol with
respect to the course taken by Mr..
Bryan are old Bryan men who have
come to entertai" q feeling of regard
n confidence for the Wilson admins
tration. Many of these men have
switched overnight n casting off
their old friendship for the Nebraskan.
are condemning him more strongly
thar those who have never been listed
with his political followers.
Mr.. Bryan last night issued an ap-
peal addressed to the "German-Ameri-
cans urging them to aid in maintain
ing peace between the United States
and the fatherland by exerting their in-
fluence with the German government
to persuade it not to take steps that
would lead in the direction of war.