The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-13

tween the two cases would seem obvious
enough to make an answer unnecessary,
but lest silence on the subject be taken
as an admission of Inconsistency the
following explanation is given:
THE notes must he considered In con
nection with the conditions u2der which
they were sent. The first note presented
the case of this Government upon such
violence as we then had. II was like
the plaintin's statement in a case. his
claim being based upon the facts as
he presents them.
II did not agree entirely with the
language of the first note, but the
difference was not so material as to
Justify a refusal to sign IL. Then. too,
l was at that time hoping that certain
things could be lone which would make
II easier for Germany to acquiesce in
our demands.
Ills Three Contentious.
THE three things which | had in
mind which in my Judgment would
nave helped the situation were first. an
announcement of "A Willingness upon our
part to employ the principle of investi-
cation embodied in u thirty peace
treaties second. action which would
prevent American citizens from travel
ling on belligercnt ships or on American
ships carrying contraband. especially IL
that contraband consisted Of emmuni-
ton and third. further insistence upon
our protest against interference with our
trade with neutrals. | thought that these
three things were within the range OF
possibilities and that two, or at least
one. VAS probable.
Some weeks have elapsed since the
first note was sen and We have not
only failed to do any of these things
hoped for but Germany has In the
meantime answered, and in her answer
has not only presented n number Of al
legged facts which in her judgment
justified the deviation which she has
made from the ordinary rules applic-
able ,o prize cases but she has sug-
gested arbitration.
az rejection OF the arguments which
she presented and OF allegations made
together with a reiteration of the
original demands, creates a very diff
ferent situation from that which eX-
listed when the first demand was made.
"As I have before stated. my fear
has been that owing to he feeling ex-
listing in Germany the Government
might upon receipt OF such a note
under such circumstance break Off
diplomatic relations and thus create a
situation out OF which war might come
without the Intention of either side.
Il am sure tina. the President does
not want war, and | am confident that
our people do not wan, war | have nc
reason to believe that either the Ger.
man Government or the German people
desire war. Blu war, a calamity a
any time, is especially to be avoided
now because our nation Is relied upor
Ivy both neutrals and bclligerents as the
one nation which can exert most in,
fuence toward bringing this war to AT
end
IT We were by accident TO he drawn
into the conflict We would not onl,
surrender the opportunity to act as
mediator but we might become re-
sponsible for drawing other nations into
this contest. When we see how one ma
ton after another has been dragged
into this war we canno have conf
dence in the ability OF any one to cal
culate with certainty upo the result'
that might follow II We become ON
broiled in the war.
mo one will be happier thai I Il
the Presidents plan results in a peace
full settlement. but no one was In a posi-
ton to say what effect our note woulC
have upon Germany or what result
would follow If she In anger broke of
diplomatic relations. and ! was not onl,
unwilling 20 assume the rcsponsibilit,
for the risks incurred-risks which n,
one could with any degree OF accuracy
measure-hut | felt that having don,
all | could In the Cabinet II was IN,
duty to undertake outside the cabine
the Work upo which | have entered.
Country, D-hind President.
II have no doubt thai the countr,
will una nimously support the Presiden
b INNn s,aa /, tA as.v "a 40 - 4. 4 ....
should overtake US, but | believe tina
the chances OF war will he lessened Il
proportion as the country expresses II
self in favor or peace-not peace n
any price hut peace in preference 4
"A war waRed for the redress OF sucl
grievances as we have against Ger
many-at least against war until W
have given To Germany the opporturIt,
which We are pledged to give TO Grea
Britain, France and Russia-to nav
every difference OF every character sub
mitted to an international commission q
Investigation.
II would contend az earnestly for tn
application Of the treaty principle L
the Allies az | contend for it in tn
case OF Germany. II the principle /
, sound IL ought to he applied to ever
country with which we have "A differ
. ence. and II t. ought to he applied a
? all 7 th!nk II is better to suggest
In the beginning than to accept Il late
after a seeming reluctance to apply IL.
81 understand that Secretary Lansin
has already given out a statement COZ
? recting IN inaccuracy which appeare
: in this mornings papers, | appreciat
% his kindness, II Is true that I saw III
final draft o. the note Just before m
resignation took effect, but It containe
an important change. | had no know
8 edge of the change at the time my resir
nation was rendered and accepted. TIL
0 change. while very much softening III
| note. was not. however. sufficient in m
, Judgment to Justify me in asking pei
A mission to withdraw my resignation.
| AS Germany had suggested arbitrs
e ton ! felt that We would not do los
o than reply to this offer by expressin
" Willingness to apply the principle {
I the peace treaties in the case. Thes
: treaties, while providing for investigs
Q ton OF all questions. leave the nation
= free to act Independently after the IL
g ;ernationaI commission has concluded n
investigation"
= BRYAN TAKES A PECT