The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-06-18
BRYAN REVEALS
REASONS FOR
RESIGNATION
PREPARED EXPLANATION OF
CAUSES LEADING TO RETIRE.
MENT FROM CABINET.
WHITE HOUSE MAKES NO COMMENT
After Announcing His Determination
to Appeal to Public Opinion, Nebras-
kan Discloses Discussions in coun-
ellis Of State Which May Embarrass
Negotiations With Germany.

ellis of State Which May Embarrass
Negotiations With Germany.
Washington, D. C.-When William
Jennings Bryan retired as secretary
OF state, his first act as private citi-
zen was to issue a statement explain
Ing his reasons for leaving the cabi.
net and announcing that he intended
to lay his view of what the American
policy toward Germany should be be-
fore the public for judgment
In his explanation Mr.. Bryan re-
vealed that the president had not felt
justified in adopting two suggestions
made by his secretary Of state-that
an offer should be made to Germany
to submit the questions in dispute
with the United States to an interna-
tlonal commission for investigation
during the years time and that mean.
while Americans should be warned by
proclamation not to take passage on
any belligerent ships or American ves-
sells carrying ammunition
These preparations, Mr.. Bryan ex.
poets to urge upon the people Sin the
hope of securing such an expression
of public sentiment as will support the
president in employing these remedies
II in the future he finds it consistent
with his sense of duty to favor them. "
Mr. Bryan's statement was received
with undisputed amazement in Off
cial circles No comment was made at
the White House, but some high Off.
Gals believed 1t most unfortunate that
so pronounced an expression of opin
ion should be made public while the
discussion with Germany was in prog
ress. 1t became known, too, that Mr.
Bryan told his colleagues In general
way of the contents of his statement
and some had advised against it.
The principal advocate Of Mr.. Bryan
Is embodied in treaties of peace ne
gotiated by the United States witt
thirty nations and was accepted by
Germany, although no convention evel
was drafted. The statement is a con
densation of the argument which Sec
rotary Bryan has been making repeat
eddy to President Wilson in the las
few weeks and upon which he hopei
to build up public sentiment in the
United States that will make war will
Germany impossible.
Just as the new American note t
Germany was started ON its way ovel
the telegraph wires, Mr.. Bryan at his
home gave out this statement of his
position:
my reason for resigning is clearly
stated in my letter of resignation
namely, that | may employ as a prl
vate citizen the means which the
president does not feel at liberty to
employ. honor him for doing what
he believes to be right and am sure
that he desires, as do, to find a
peaceful solution Of the problem which
has been confronted by the action OF
the submarines.
1.-TWO of the points on which we diff.
fer, each conscientious in his convlc.
ton, are:
First, as to the suggestion OF in.
vestigation by an international com
mission, and,
Second, as to warning Americans
against travelling on belligerent YES
sells or with cargoes of ammunition.
Il believe that this nation should
frankly state to Germany that we are
willing to apply in this case the prin.
ciple which we are bound by treaty to
apply to disputes between the United
States and thirty countries with which
we have made treaties providing for
investigation Of all disputes Of every
character and nature.
These treaties, negotiated under
this administration make war practl.
cally impossible between this country
and the thirty governments represent
ing nearly three-fourths of all the peo'
pie Of the world
Among the nations with which we
have these treaties are Great Britain
France and Russia No matter what
disputes may arise between us and
these treaty nations, we agree that
there shall be no declaration and nc
commencement of hostilities until the
matters in dispute have been investi
gated by an international commission
and a years time is allowed for in
vestigation and report This plan was
offered to all the nations, without any
exceptions whatever, and Germany
was one of the nations that accepted
the principle, being the twelfth,
think, to accept. No treaty was actual
lY entered into with Germany, but
Undertaking. Too Much.