The Palatka news and advertiser., 1915-06-11

signed from the Cabinet of President
Wilson, the same to take effect CO.
incident with the encyphering of the
United States note to Germany.
Although the formal announcement
was not made till late on Tuesday
that the resignation had been accept
ed. it became known then that the
resignation was arranged with the
president Monday. The cause is
due to a difference of opinion over the
note which had been prepared for
transmission to Germany.
Bryan's action was a dramatic Sc
quel to his disagreement with the
President over the governments poll
cy toward Germany. After the res
ignation had been accepted the Cabi-
net approved the response which had
been prepared to Germany in reply
to the Lusitania note. Acting Sec
retary Robert Lansing will sign sthe
document and Wednesday it was ca
bled to Berlin.
Bryan returned to private life when
his resignation took effect. 1t was
learned he intends to continue his
political support of the President.
The announcement created a SEN
sation in Washington scarcely paral-
lelled in recent years. The fact that
the staunchest peace advocate had re-
tired spread broadcast the belief that
the United States policy as definitely
determined would assert and defend
the rights of the United States in any
eventuality.
The policy of the United States
toward Germany and the insistance
on the observance of neutral rights
and safeguarding lives of Americans
on the high seas was determined fl
nally on Tuesday at the cabinet dis
cussion. Bryans resignation was
accepted when the cabinet convened.
The note, which was sent to Ger
many on Wednesday was read the last
time to the cabinet by the president.
Suggestions of some minor changes
were noted by the president
While no inkling regarding the con-
tents of the note were divulged, it 5
understood an unfavorable reply will
mean the severance of diplomatic re-
lations with Germany and that at
tacks on Americans thereafter might
lead to even graver complications.
Foreign diplomats have interpreted
the withdrawal of Bryan as signifi-
cant of a forceful course by the
United States. Many of them have
cabled their government in cypher
of the change and its significance.
The American note will be given 70
the press on Friday morning.
Secretary Bryan's Letter of Resigna-
ton.
"My Dear Mr.. President:
1t is with sincere regret that | have
reached the conclusion that | should
return to you the commission of Sec
retary of State with which you honor
ed me at the beginning of your ad-
ministration.
"Obedient to your sense of duty and
actuated by the highest motives, you
have prepared for transmission to the
German government note in which
II cannot Join without violating what
deem to be an obligation to my coun-
try, and the issue involved is Of such
moment that to remain member of
the cabinet would be as unfair to you
as it would be to the cause which is
nearest my heart, namely, the prev IN
tion of war.
~, therefore, respectfully tender
my resignation, to take effect wien
! the note is sent. unless you prefer 2n
earlier hour. Alike desirous of reach
ing a peaccful solution of the prob
lens arising out of the use Of subma-
rines against merchantmen. we find
ourselves differing irreconcilably as
to the methods which should be en-
ployed,
at falls to your lot to speak off
cially for the nation; consider it to
be none the less my duty to endeavor
as a private citizen to promote the
end which you have in view hv means
which you do not feel at liberty to
use.
an severing the intimate and pleas
ant relations which have existed be-
tween US during the past two years,
permit me to acknowledge the pro
found satisfaction which it has given
me to be associated with you in the
important work which has come be-
fore the state department., and to
thank YOU for the courtesies extended.
with the heartfelt good wishes
for your personal welfare and for the
success of YOUR administration, l am,
my dear Mr.. President. verv truly
YOURS, (Signed) W. J. BRYAN.
Resignation Accepted with Regrets.
The presidents letter to Mr.. Bryan
was as follows:
"My Dear Mr.. BRYAN: I accent
voUr resignation only because YOU in
sist upon its acceptance; and I accept
it with much more than doe1 regret
with a feeling Of personal sorrow
Our two years Of close aseocin+;or
have been very delightful to me. Our
/ judgments have accorded in prscli.
cally every matter Of official duty and
of public policy until now; your sup.
port of the work and purposes of the
administration has been generous anC
loyal beyond praise; your devotion
to the duties of your great office anC
lyour eagerness to take advantage Of