The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-06-11

phOneQ an lnVllauOn, Tie Sec4etdIS
hurried to the white House, his face
somewhat drawn and pale.
Farewell Luncheon.
When the cabinet adjourned short
ly after / O'Clock, Mr.. Bryan enter
tained seven Of his colleagues, all who
could attend, at luncheon at the Uni
versity club. The luncheon was in
the nature of farewell.
That there had been friction be-
tween tae president and Mr.. Bryan
has been the undercurrent of COM
ment for several weeks, but as the
president heretofore had always been
able to secure the acquiescence of the
secretary in his point of view, talk Of
resignation was discounted generally.
1t came to light today that the posi-
ton of Mr.. Bryan in the cabinet re-
Gently has become very embarrassing
his advocacy of peace being so pro-
nounced that other members Of the
cabinet who felt that the United
States should assert its policy, ire
spective of the consequence, were
understood to have on one occasion
declared their intention Of resigning
if policy of frmness and vigor were
not adopted.
The real disagreement dates back
to the famous session Of the cabinet
when the note of May 13, following
the sinking of the Lusitania, was
drafted informing Germany that the
United States would not omit "any
word or act' to protect its rights.
Stood for Caution.
At that time Mr.. Bryan made a
speech counseling peaceful measures
and cautious action. He gave his con-
sent to signing the note only after it
was tentatively arranged that a state
ment should be issued at the Waite
House and transmitted to the German
government announcing that mas
much as Germany had accepted the
principle of the peace treaties nego-
tiated between the United States and
other countries, differences between
the two nations might be adjusted by
a commission of investigation. Op-
position to this course was most vehe-
ment in some cabinet quarters, and
the president, after having considered
at length Mr.. Bryan's suggestion,
finally disapproved it at the hour the
note was sent. Some cabinet officers
argued that such an appendix to the
note of May 13 would be construed
abroad as a weakening of the Amer
ican position, and their counsel pre-
vailed. Since t1en the Official rela-
tions of Mr.. Bryan with the president
and the other cabinet officers have
been somewhat strained, although the
closest personal friendship has been
maintained.
Officials Of 6ae Administration were
unanimous tonight in their expression
of personal regret. Secretary Tumulty
Issued statement to that effect, and
the president reflected the same SEN
timent in his letter. Admiration and
praise for the courageous manner in
which Mr.. Bryan. had fought for and
held to his convictions were expressed
by officials on every side, including
those who had been most vigorous in
their opposition to his policies.
Doesn't Spoil Friendship.
The strong personal attachment OF
the president and Mr.. Bryan has long
been noticeable in their every day
conferences. Even today as they met
in the cabinet room their greeting was
one of affection and regard.
It became known only tonight that
twice before in the two years and
three months of his term, Mr.. Bryan
had offered to resign so as to save the
president from embarrassment, and
each time tfne president refused to ac-
eept the resignation. Throughout the
constant newspaper bombardment OF
Mr.. Bryan for his views on peace, his
advocacy of prohibition and his
speeches On the cnautauQua, the pres
ident has stood by the secretary, re-
senting criticism of him. In domestic
affairs the two men who were at the
helm Of the Democratic party in its
first ascendency into power in 16 years
cooperated most harmoniously. Often
Mr.. Bryan yielded some of his own
views, as on the currency bill, and
used his influence to assist the presi-
dents programme in congress. It was