The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-06-09
Unwilling to Endorse Presi-
dents Policy Toward Ger
many in Latest Note
RESIGNATION WAS
PROMPTLY ACCEPTED
Bryan Says Prevention of War is the
Cause Nearest His Heart Other
Members of the Cabinet Stand Firm
ly by President.

WASHINGTON, June 8. - William
Jennings Bryan, three times Demo
cratic candidate for the presidency
and author of nearly 80 peace treaties
with the principal nations of the
world, resigned yesterday as secretary
of state as dramatic sequel to his
disagreement with President Wilson
over the government S policy toward
Germany.
The resignation had been accepted
by the President before the cabinet
meeting, summoned to consider the
final draft of the note to the Berlin
government. Mr.. Bryan did not appear
at the session until an hour after It
began, having then been invited by
the President to attend.
The cabinet approved the response
which had been prepared to the Ger
man reply to the Lusitania note. Coun-
selor Robert Lansing will sign the
document as acting secretary of state
and TOMORROW it will be cabled to Ber-
lin.
Secretary Bryan returns to private
life today, when his resignation takes
effect 1t was learned that he intends
to continue political support of the
President
Rather than sign the document
which he believed might draw the
| United States into war, Mr.. Bryan sub
mitted his resignation in a letter, stat
| ing that "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 proven
| ton of war.
The President accepted the resigna
ton in a letter of regret tinged will
deep personal feeling of affection. The
letters, constituting the official an
nouncement of Mr.. Bryan s departure
from the cabinet to private life, were
made public at the White House at
0 clock.
Caused Furor in Capital.
The ending of the official connection
of Mr.. Bryan with the administration
of the man whose nomination he as
sisted so materially in bringing abou
at the Baltimore convention of 1872
was in some respects dramatic.
The news of his resignation caused
sensation in the capital scarcely paral
IeIed IN recent years. AiHBaSsduois
ministers, and diplomats from foreigi
lands, officials of every rank and sta
ton, heard the news as it was flashe'
by newspaper extras. They interpret
ed variously its effect on the delicat
situation that had arisen between Gen
many and the United States.
The withdrawal of the staunehest ad
vocate of peace in the President s OF
fetal family spread broadcast the be
lief that the policy Of the Unite
States, as definitely determined upo
would assert and defend the rights o
the United States in any eventuaht
that might arise
Originally it was the intention c
: the President and Mr.. Bryan to hav
the announcement of the resignatio
made simultaneously with the despatc
of the note to Germany, but when NJ
BRYAN did not attend the cabinet NEE
ING until President Wilson sent for him
rumors that the President had bee
unable to bring the secretary of stat
to his point of view filed the air. F
naTly. soon after O'Clock, the new
leaked out and was confirmed.