Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1915-06-09
Prevention Of War Was Bryan's
Chief Aim Since the
FaIdba Was Sunk.
STILL TO WORK FOR PEACE
Bryan Points Out Why He Re-
signed, Saying His Position
Was Different from
Rest of Cabinet.
By John e. Neyin, United Press
Staff Correspondent.


Washington, June 8: - Keep
America out of war by removing the
causes of international irritation"
That was the suggestion made by
Secretary of State William Jennings
Bryan to President Wilson, immedi-
ately following the drowning of Leon
Thracher. the American who lost his
life when the British steamer Falaba
was torpedoed and sunk. The mes
sage that Bryan proposed did not
meet with the approval Of the Presi-
dent.
Suggestions of Bryan.
The United Press is enabled this
afternoon to state the suggestions
made by Bryan which were rejected
by the President. These were:
First. Suggest to Germany that,
inasmuch as she has accepted in
principle the suggestion of arbitra-
tion of all questions in dispute that
might otherwise result in war, she
agree to name commission such as
was created by the peace treaty to
determine the responsibility and ad-
just differences.
Second. That all Americans be
warned that, in view of the an
nouncement that Germany had es-
tablished war zone in which her
submarines were operating, they do
not take passage on foreign mer-
ehantmen or ON merchantmen that
carried ammunition.
! Third That the United States
prohibit the carrying of ammunition
on vessels that carried passengers.
VIII Still Work for Peace.
In leaving the state department
Bryan believes that he will be able
to do work that will make for peace.
He said in discussing the matter:
II will do what | can do to crys-
tallize the sentiment of the country
behind the suggestions that I origi-
nally made to the President. II L
can convince the people of the United
States that my plan will aid in pre-
serving the peace they can let that
fact be known and then the Presi-
dent can adopt new methods.
"You see my position was much
different from the other members OF
the cabinet. They voted to approve
the note. But / would have had to
sign it and l could not sign it when
/ believed that the methods proposed
in it were not the methods that
believed should be used"
The unlocked for resignation
of william J. Bryan as secretary of
state, which has been accepted by
President Wilson. to take effect imme-
diately, was due to his not being able
conscientiously to sign the note which
~. r,roetdant {e diapatnbiuo fo Cor
many. To put his name to this COM
munication would, In the opinion of
Mr.. Bryan, be unfair to the cause near
est his heart-that Is, the prevention
of war"
At the direction of President Wilson
Robert Lansing, acting secretary Of
state, has signed the note. 1t has been
rushed into the hands of state depart
ment experts to be coded and viii be
on its way to Berlin by the time Amer
lean public is reading the startling de-
tails of Mr.. Bryan's refusal to lend his
name to it as secretary of state.
The note to which Mr.. Bryan was
unable to subscribe firmly restates the
position of the United States, -reiterates
President Wilson's previous demands
and calls upon Germany for a prompt
expression whether or not she intends
to abide by the principles Of inter
national law and humanity.
Three developments stand out impres
siveIy among those which Washington
believes will come from yesterdays
remarkable occurrance:
Ffrst.-That the country will be
divided on the question OF President
Wilson's policy toward Germany.
second.-That there win be a real
awakening In Germany TO the deter
mlnation OF the president and the
seriousness of the situation confronting
them as a result of this governments
demands.
More Vigorous Policy.
Third,-That there viii be a change
in the Administrations general foreign
policy. The substitution OF vigorous
assertion of American rights for the
temporizing policy of the last two
years
Many officials in Washington also ex-
pect TO see clean cut issue between |
President Wilson and Mr.. Bryan on |
the question of the national defenses.
with the probable retirement Of !
Josephus Daniels, Mr.. Bryan's friend, |
from the cabinet as secretary of the |
navy.
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