The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-06-11


expect to see clean cut issue be
tween President Wilson and Mr.
Bryan on the question OF the nationa
defenses, with the probable retire
ment OF Josephus Daniels, Mr.. Bryan.
friend. from the cabinet. as secretary
OF the navy. Startling as was the
mere withdrawal OF Mr.. Bryan from
the administration II was the effect Of
his action upon the Immediate crisis
between the United States and Ger
many over which Washington officials
were chiefly concerned.
One Sentence Is Pulling.
One sentence in Mr.. Bryan's letter
Of resignation to the president was
puzzling. This sentence read:
"0bedient to your sense of duty and
sctuated by the highest motives you
have prepared for transmission to the
Herman government n note in which
] can not join without violating what
deem to be an obligation TO my
country and the issue involved is of
such moment that TO remain a mem.
her Of the cabinet would be as unfair
TO you as II would be TO the cause
which is nearest my heart, namely.
the prevention of war
BY some the sentence was construed
as a plain intimation that Secretary
Bryan feared that one of the posi-
bilities Of the note. which the presi-
dent has ordered forwarded to Ger.
many. may be war. The other con.
struction was that Secretary Bryan
feared that his acquiesence In the
presidents determination to refuse to
discuss the facts of the Lusitania
sinking with the Berlin government
would be a death blow to the princi-
rles for which Mr.. Bryan has con-
tended and for which he has embodied
in thirty peace treaties with foreign
governments.
While the correspondence between
the president and Mr.. Bryan is mark
ed with the utmost cordidlity on the
presidents part. in fact with the mani
festation Of deep regret and sorrow,
there was one sentence in Secretary
Prvan's letter which indicates he will
not hesitate TO use all means at his
command to prevent a rupture with
Germany. The inference seems to
be that Mr. Bryan would throw the
weight of his personal power against
any such contingency.
Bryan Insisted on Resisnins.
On the other hand. President vii.
son makes II plain that he has &C
Cepted Secretary Bryan's resignation
only because MIR. Bryan has insisted
and that ne expects the cooperation
Of MIR. Bryan in accomplishing not
only this governments present object
with Germany. but the other policies
OF the administration. These are the
presidents exact words:
We snail continue TO work for the
same causes even when We do not
work in the same way
The most serious phase of the Bry-
an resignation. so far as it affects the
German situation, seems to be the
possibility of dividing the country in
regard to President Wilson's policy.
Up to this time the president has en-
jOyed practically the unanimous sup.
port Of the country and he has found
great announcement and consolation
in this fact. He has acknowledged
that the cordial support, which he has
received from Americans of all
classes. parties and beliefs. has sus.
tanned him through the trying days of
the last few weeks
The fear expressed in Washington
is that Mr.. Bryan's stand will give
rise TO a difference of opinion in re.
gard TO the presidents note. Such
a division will, OF course, not only
add to President Wilson's tribulations
and embarrassments, but will greatly
weaken the strength of this govern.
ment's representations in Germany.
Advisers Hope for Support.
The presidents advisers are hoping,
however, that the country will &C.
cept the larger view of the situation
and demonstrate that II stands as
heartily behind the president in his
present course as 1t did when the first
note was dispatched.
Many OF Mr.. Bryan's friends al
ready are busy. Representative Blu
chanan of Illinois has undertaken to
line organized labor up against the
possibility OF war with Germany and
other supporters of Mr.. Bryan are at
work in other directions.
or course, II Germany feels that the
United States is divided against e..
self on this issue. the Berlin authori-
ties will be certain to adopt a less
conciliatory course
On the other hand. the retirement
OF Mr.. Bryan is sure to create a pro-
found impression in Berlin. Oficial
reports received here recently have
indicated that the kaiser's advisers
were not alive to the seriousness of
the controversy with the United
States. The retirement of Secretary
Bryan win throw a food OF light upon
the determination of President Wilson
and is bound to have a good effect,
unless the feeling against the admin
istration's course Immediately asserts
itself in this country.