The Washington herald., 1915-06-09
personal satellites whom he placed in

personal satellites whom he placed In
positions of little importance.
Mr. Bryan. in his letter Of resignation.
states that the prevention of war" was
the cause nearest to his heart. The truth
of this statement he has demonstrated
repeatedly in the last two years. Fun
credit has not always been given Mr..
Bryan for the sincerity of his feelings
and actions on this point. His resiSna-
ton came as a surprise beca use official
Washington was satisfied that he would
feel il his sacred duty to remain in the
Cabinet despite any differences over the
issues with Germany in order that he
might continue to exercise at all times
his utmost influence in favor of such
courses as would. in his belief, do most
to avert all danger of break with
Germany. or any other country.
He had declared that he saw in the
State Department an opportunity great
er than the had ever dreamed Of to rem
stated that not all the powers Of a hos
tile press could make him forsake that
opportunity by resigning.
Criticized for Peace Declaration.
How intense and deep-seated was
Mr. Bryan's passion for the promotion
of peace was signified in the first
weeks of his incumbency of the pre-
miership. He announced in March.
1913. that the United States would
never have a war while he was Secre-
| tary of State
This remark created a more pro-
found impression abroad than il did in
this country. as has since been evil
denced in many ways. 1t has been
established that this gave foreign dip
lomats their first cue as to Mr.. Bryan's
fepdanciaS in "a nf infeFna l..
tional affairs. In diplomatic quarters
Mr.. Bryan was openly criticised for
making this remark; IL was declared
that while a wise statesman sought
always to avoid war. it was suicide
for this government to create the i'm
preston abroad that under no cir
cumstances would it ever resort to
force to uphold its rights or gain its
ends. Mr.. Bryan's friends at the time
declared that the Secretary was sin
cere and that he would resign IL neces-
sary to preserve the truth Of his
declaration.
1t is not considered, however. that
Mr.. Bryan has been absolutely true to
this declaration. 1t is pointed out
that only victoriano Huerta kept the
seizure Of Vera Cruz from becoming
war between the United States and
Mexico. and that consistency called
IOT Ie6IS a. lHdt
moment. Incidentally. 1t il also de-
clared that his resignation should
have been rendered following the note
of February 10 to Germany. or that
Of May Is, as those two communica-
tions committed the United States to
drastic action toward Germany in the
submarine issue quite as much as does
the one which occasionned his resig-
nation yesterday.
Treaties Gave Advantage.
Mr.. Bryan followed up this declare
tion with the launching Of his peace
treaty idea, which has been the one
and only feature of his administration
as Secretary which gave him real graf
ifcation. Through Mr.. Bryan's success
in persuading the President to support
his idea. and his interchangeable efforts
with the representatives Of other gov
ernments. the United States il now
pledged to the governments Of more
than twenty countries to submit to In
|vestigation any dispute which il not
settled automatically. during which In
vestigation both governments are
pledged to abstain from any act Of
force. This IL the indelible mark Mr..
Bryan has left ON the history Of the
foreign relations of the United States.
|as. through the Presidents insistence
In Mr.. Bryan's behalf. these treaties