The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-12
Ends Efforts to Lay Before the American People the Situation Which Caused Him to Resign
REITERATES STAND FOR PERSUASION
 RATHER THAN FORGE
Urges Hyphenated Citizens
 to Use Their Influence in
 Showing World President Wilson Is Really Neutral

Washington, June 11.--William Jen- nings Bryan tonight issued an appeal addressed to "the German-Amer- jeans" urging them to aid in main- taining peace between the United States and the Fatherland by exert ing their influence with the German government to persuade it not to take any steps that would lead in the di- rection of war.
 With this statement MT. Bryan expects to end for the present his efforts to lay before the public the situation which caused him to resign the portfolio of Sec retary of State. On Wednesday ne gave out an explanation of why he left the cabinet rather than sign the last Amer ican note to Germany regarding subma- rine worfare; yesterday he issued an ap- peal to "The American People" to stand for persuasion rather than for force in asserting rights under International law, and today he made a brief statement ex-
 
 a change of tone on the part of the lingo editors regarding the note to Ger many.
 5 Referring to German Americans as fell low citizens, fin whose patriotism l nave entire confidence" MT. Bryan besides ask ing them to use their influence with the German government, urged: That they forget never to be recalled, any suspicion of lack of neutrality or friendship toward the German people on the part Of the President of the United States.
 Cases Are Different
 That they should not attempt to connect negotiations between the United States and Germany with those between the United States and Great Britain, 'bocause the cases are different"
 That Germany should acquiesce in de- mands that nave been made by tiIe United States without condition, trusting the United States to deal justly with her in the consideration of any changes she may propose in the international rules that govern the taking of prizes growing out of submarine warfare.
 MT. Bryan declared that President Will son had been unjustly criticised ry par tisans of both sides in the European con flict expressed confidence that German Americans would stand by their adopted country in case of war between the United States and Germany; maintained that killing of innocent women and chill dren, either by drowing or starving, could not be justified and suggested a change iri the shipping laws to exclude passengers from ships carrying contraband or a'nmu- milton.
 MT. Bryan's statement follows:
 June II, 1915 "To the German-Americans:
 i, Permit me to address a word to you as one American citizen speaking to fel- low citizens in whose patr.orism he has entire confidence. It is natural that in a contest between your fatherland and other European nations. your sympathies should be with the country of your birth It is no cause for censure that this is true; it would be a reflection upon you if 1t were not true. Do not the sons of Great Britain sympathize with their mother country? Do not the sons oi France sympathize with theirs? Is not the same true of Russia and of Italy? Why should it not be true of those who are born in Germany or Austria? The trouble is that the extremists on both sides have mistaken a natural attachment felt fol birthplace for disloyalty to this coun try.
 ..The President has been unjustly crit icized by the partisans of both sides the very best evidence of his neutrality If he had so conducted the government as to wholly please either side it would excite not only astonishment but mis givings, for partisans cannot give an un biased judgment they will of necessit. look at the question from their own poin of view, giving praise or blame, accord ing as the act regardless of it's real char acter helps or hurts the side with whicl they have aligned themselves.
 Why the Criticism
 '"rhe fact that the administration ha received more criticism from German Americans than from those in sympath. with the allies is due to the fact tha while both sides are at liberty, under in ternational law. to purchase ammunition In the United States. the allies, becaus of their control of the seas have tn advantage of being able to export it. I is unfortunate that partisan supporter of Germany should have overlooked tn tContinued es Page Twe) ................ssssess sssesssess esssssssssssssssss