Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-09
Mr.. Bryan's Resignation


The resignation Of Secretary of State
Bryan comes not wholly as surprise
TO the country. We have. mere than
once, indicated such possibility be-
cause Of the Presidents activities as
premier and his acceptance Of the en-
tire responsibility for a striking domi-
nation Of the nations affairs. In 9TH
err words, as we recently indicated. it
was impossible for a man of Mr.. Bry-
ans ability and love of the limelight
to remain long wholly obscure, in fact,
ignored in a crisis of the peoples for
eign affairs.
Nearly three years ago, Woodrow
Wilson said something about Mr.. Bry-
an being knocked into cooked hat"
Yesterday, IL his letter Of acceptance
Of Mr.. Bryan's resignation, he said: Il
wish to bid you godspeed in the part
ing"
May we not conclude that this is
the peak Of the cooked hat? In recent
months the secretarial toga has been
gradually stripped from the Bryan
shoulders in such way as to convey
to the American people that the Pres
ident was executive and secretary. We
do not attempt to say that this was
not as it should be. We have no quar-
rel with the friends Of either gentle
man. We give and have given the
facts of the evident growing division
between the President and the man
who made him President.
In the absence of the wording of the
note to Germany over which the break
came, we cannot attempt to choose be-
tween the two men. The parting of the
ways comes over the Interpretation Of
the will of the American people. Mr..
Wilson, if in the second note he has
followed the lead of his first, believes
that America has just cause for de-
manding recognition Of her rights as
a neutral power.
The reply of Germany, by re-assert-
ing what our president has plainly told
her was, not so, openly insulted
friendly power. We infer that THIS sec
ond note is to be a categorical de-
mand for a statement OF Germany's
position, and without further insinua-
ton that the United States is in
league with England to save Britain
from Germany's undersea navy.
In that case, we must still agree
with the President. From the tenor
of Mr.. Bryan's letter. we assume that
he advised a much less determined r.--
sition. A sort Of "watchfu1 waiting''
copy Of the do-nothing deal in Mexi-
CO. If so. we Cannot agree with him;
but the division has come and each
able gentleman will have his friends
and defendants. So far as our rela-
tions with Germany are concerned,
this is doubly unfortunate, certainly
giving an exaggerated understanding
Of the division Of sentiment in Amer
lea. 1t must add heavily to the bur-
dens Of the President, in spite of act
ing secretary Lansing's ability and
familiarity with the affairs of the ma
ton. Indeed, we understand that he
largely composed the note to which
Mr.. Bryan objects, and will sign it as
Secretary of State.
We should not be surprised to hear
from the friends of Mr.. Bryan an early
suggestion that the President has been
somewhat dazzled> by the glare of pos
sibilities, il he can engineer a blood
less war status that will set off in this
country an almost unheard of era of
economic activities, stimulated by pa
triotism. Such a suggestion embodies
acceptance Of the contention that as
a belligerent our exports Of war mu-
nitions and food supplies to the allies
would be trebled or quadrupled, and
that we still would be making and
holding enough for ourselves. 1t is a
dream for a Napoleon, but we cannot
believe that it has in any measure ac-
tuated the firm stand taken by the
presidopf