The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-06-13
BRYAN QUIT TO
REGAIN PRESTIGE
Believed Here He Resigned
Because Weary Of Position
of Subordinatlon.
WOULD BE LEADER AGAIN
Used Note Issue as Mere Pretext
Saw Opportunity to Advance
Peace Propaganda.

~ state because of differences with
president Wilson over the form OF 'ne
reioinder to Germany on the Luslta MA
Incident was a mere pretext now Is
..n.rallv credited in administration
circles A perusal of the recent note
|orv,srded to Berlin discloses thai
,bere is no marked departure In prln-
chile from the two earlier communica :
tions which Mr.. Bryan apparently
signed without protest The impression
is quite general in washington 'na
M BRYAN became wearled OF the po-
sition OF subordination in which ne
found himself at the outset or the
administration and that long ago ne
reached the conclusion that ne "ouio
ouit office just as soon as ne couio
fnd an excuse that he could present IN
plausible manner to the President
and the public
Az .xnonent of peace, NJ. Bryan de-
eided he could justify retirement on
,hs plea that the tone OF the Presl-
dents latest note to Germany was ihe
" to involve this country with dlltl-
culties that might lead TO war he
was, therefore, in posltlon' q ne
viewed II, to resign without disclosing
,.t,;.r considerations that his critics
here believed really influenced him TO
take tho step.
Re.entfuI Mood for Months.
that Mr. Bryan was in a resentfui
rood for months over circumstances
that have been made the subject OF
extended comment by the press. Inc
lack of confidence in him as an ADVISER
in a great emergency entertained oS
the President was shown IN slrIhins
fashion Immediately following the
Iusitania tragedy. For three or four
days after the sinking of the Lusi-
tania it was matter of common
LnowIedse that the President was
mapping out a plan of action IN MS
mind without consultation win any
one. During that period he dld not
see the Secretary OF state nor oiu ne
bave any communication with MIN
The fact was of great significa nee. ana
references to il in newspapers ansered
NJ Rrvan He showed high temper
when questioned on the SUBJECT anu
declared to newspaper correspondents
one afternoon that he would no longer
tol.rate Interrogation relative 10 ms
oral or written communications Win
,he President. Prior to that the fresi-
dent had by degrees taken over the ol-
r.ction of foreign affairs into his own
hands; Mr.. Bryan sported the riooon
of authority in the state DePar Iileh''
hut the functions of the ofhce were
exercised elsewhere. A..
criticism of Mr.. Bryan's work in the
was visited on him for his repeated ao-
sences to take up work on the Chautau-
oua. circuit soured him on his job and
his SURROUNDINGS. He also was chasrineo
over the greater weight given the al
vice and counsel of others in the CABINET
tact which also was generally reCos-
nized in Washington. Mr. Bryans critics
declare that he felt himself shpplhs 6s
q factor in administration circles ana
tf,1Na wa
when public appreciation or MS posi'io"
uorld lessen his political hold. In other
words Mr. Bryan is alleged to have ac-
o,Iired Crouch early in the admins
tration which rapidly assumed the pro.
portions of ''srudge" that ne felt coL'u
M, he fed as he would feed it until ne
rad severed the ties that bound nm 10
the Wilson administration
Concealed Recruitment.
Unetber Mr., Bryan made known his
feelings of dissatisfaction TO the PreSl-
dent is q matter of lively speculation
II is believed he concealed his resent
ment from the President, fearing that
a break might be precipitated sooner
than he would have II. Enemies OF MT
BRYAN declare that with great adroltnesS
he awaited the moment when he could
quit with the pronouncement that he was
actuated in the course solely by principle. |
In his fight to bring the President around
10 his way of thinking on the German
situation Mr.. Bryan practically fought
a lone hand. When the issues went
against him he stepped out and those VINO |
know him best believe he was we'll salts |
ned to reenter private lie on an issue
that he expects will be made one OF the |
great political issues of the country in |
the next four years.
Mr. Bryan has long believed the hSht
for control Of the United States between
the nnilitaristS and pacifCists rapidly was
reaching a point where il was TO be a
battle for supremacy. He entertained
that view as far back the summer OF
1915, when he took leading part in try
ing TO reconcile the California land prob
lem with the Japanese governments op-
position. Ever since the present Euro
pean war began the belief has been be
coming moro pronounced, and this being
true. his friends say he left the Ca binet
under existing circumstances to central
ize the attention of the entire world on
his peace policy.
Quit on weII-defned Issue.
Had President Wilson agreed to send
the note now reported to he in prepara-
ton protesting against the British order
in council before the German rejolnder
of June was started on its way, Mr..
Bryan might have signed both notes.
But the President did not do so and all
who have come into contact with Bryan
since believe he was very glad the op-
portunity to quit on a well-defined issue
was presented. even though that issue
wss one usually kept foreign to domestic
politics. an International problem.
Bryan believes the war party plans
TO jam through big program at the
coming session of Congress In antici-
patton of this he has returned to pri-
Nate life, and IL is certain he will rally
to his support the small army and ,
small navy men in a fight that will
pave the way for the political cam
paign of 1916 Had he remained in
the Cabinet and resigned to handle
such a fight he would have been open
ly charged with political ambitions. his
friends say. while now that he has re-
tired in advocacy of his scheme TO end
war for all time by adopting a policy
of love and persuasions" he believes
he has gained q strategic position
which will give him a material sdvant-
age.
Failure in High once.
~ another consideration that :
pad weighed with Mr.. ,
Termination to separate Z
Wilson administra-
hsralded FAR and :
- frst great Of i
en called. In