Evening star., 1915-06-13

William Jennings Bryan, former Sec
retary of State, last night declared that
the note Of the United States govern
ment to the German government had
been materially altered after he re-
signed his post in the cabinet In
the last Of a series of statements is
sued by the former Secretary he add
ed to this disclosure the suggestion
that Germany in anger may break off
diplomatic relations with the United
States and that war is still threaten
ing.
Notwithstanding these statements,
there was apparent a growing con-
fdence in official circles that the reply
Germany is now to make the United
States will not so eventuate Mr.
| nection with this confidence, declared
that the note to Germany had been
"soffened," after he resigned from the
cabinet. although not sufficiently to
warrant his withdrawing his resigna-
tion. He said danger Of war will be
lessened in proportion 'as the country
expresses itself in favor Of peace in
preference to war for redress of
such grievances as we have against
Germany.
Note Delivered, Gerard Says.
Of1clal announcement OF the delivery
Of the American note to the German gov
ernment reiterating insistence that sub
| marine warfare conform to the laws Of
| humanity and international law was re-
ceiyed last evening from Ambassador
Gerard at Berlin.
The message came at the close of a
in official quarters that the German
| answer will obviate any possibility OF
| war between the nations. and also avoid
! a breach Of diplomatic relations.
Apparently there was general re-
| Taxation of tension ih the internati tional
| situation. President Wilson spent part
| of the day at golf and let 1t be known
| that later in the month he planned to
| take short vacation at his summer
home in Cornish, n II.
| No answer to the American refoinder
| Is expected for ten days at least and
there is conviction here that the Berlin
authorities will await the arrival there
| of Meyer Gerhard. official representa-
| tive Of Ambassador Bernstorff, before
their answer is framed.
Mr.. Bryan's Explanation.
| In discussing how the note was ma
terially revised and softened after h..
| had presented his resignation Mr.
Bryan. In his statement issued r..t
night says:
| 1T is true that I saw the final draf,
of the note just before my resisnatjon
| took effect. but 1t contained An i'm.
| portant change. ! had no knowledee
| of this change at the time INV resie-
nation was rendered and accepted.
| This change, while very much sof,-
ening the note. was not, however suf11
cient, in my Judgment. to justify me in
| asking permission to withdraw my
resignation: As Germany had suggest
t.h rh i fhas
| do less than reply to this offer hv ex-
| pressing a willingness to anniy ~.
principle of the peace treaties to the
| cause"
What was the change in the note ?"
Mr. Bryan was asked.
| Il cannot DISCUSS that" he rep,ied
| It was suggested that the cia,.
added to the note was that aavtn~ ~
United States would entertain anv svi.
dence Germany might have tha, ~
| fcials Of this government h.a
| thoroughly performed their dutv ~
examining the Lusitania before har
departure to see that she was not
armed for offensive action. Mr.. Rryan
only smiled at the suggestion
| Secretary Lansing also dar,,,a ..
discuss changes made in the note.
The Clause Referred To.
The clause referred TO fol,o,v.
| IF the imperial German Royernm.nt
| should deem itself to be in nos....,on
Of convincing evidence that the oncial.
Of the government of the United states
did not perform these duties with
thoroushness tho government of the
United States sincerely hopes that il
| will submit that evidence for consid :
| GRAFTON"
Irrespective Of whether that clause
! Continued on Sixteenth Pags.l