Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-06-09
BRYAN IS OUT, LANSING IS IN

| hopes to build up for the principle OF
| investigation of disputes before hos
tilities are begun.
Hryan's Contentious.
1 Late today after the note to Ger
many is on it's way to Berlin, Mr. Bry-
an plans to issue from his home
statement outlining his position on the
| questions that have arisen on the re-
lations between the United States and
| Germany. Mr.. Bryan contends 1t
would be better to submit the entire
question to an investigation commits
sion, and pending its deliberations have
Americans refrain from taking passage
or ships carrying contraband or whlcn
venture in waters of war zones. Presi-
| dent Wilson refused to accede to this
idea, because the United States would
| thereby be submitting to dictates OF
other countries against their own
rights under international law.
That these principles are not Of suf-
ficient strength in public opinion is the
conviction Of Mr.. Bryan, and he hopes
to test public sentiment in way that
| 1t may assist the president as the Am
erican policy is developed.
Farewell to Associates.
In the closing hours Of his admin
istration, Secretary Bryan bade fare
we'll to his associates and made a tour
of the state, war and navy buildings
to call informally on colleagues.
When Mr.. Bryan came out of AS
sistant Secretary Roosevelt's office he
was surrounded by newspaper men.
"Well, gentlemen" he said. you see
am not late today. Sometimes have
been late particularly so yesterday.
Did you ever see an old hen trying to
| gather her chickens beneath her in the
EVENING"
YES, I've got an old hen," said one.
| Doesn't she sometimes seem fussy
and irritable?"
| "Yes. sometimes she picks me-
/ ':Weii, / often have felt like the old
hen in some respects. have been try
ing to keep number of international
secrets covered up under my wing SO
| to speak. If sometimes I have SEEM
ed cross and irritable it was because
| I have been afraid that some may
creep out. OF course, you don't ques-
| tion the old hens good Intentions, and
hope that you won't mine"
| Wilson TO Stand Firm.
Having accepted Mr.. Bryan's resig-
! nation. President Wilson must vindi-
cate his judgment. must carry out to
the end. in fact, the policy which he
has inaugurated. Any backdown from
the position assumed. and which has
cost him the services and support Of
/ the powerful politician. Bryan, would
cause the president to lose the backing
Of that section Of the people who are
for strong and determined action.
Therefore. no one in the United
States OF in Germany can doubt now
4 that Mr.. Wilson meant precisely what
he said when he closed his original
note to the German government with
the following words:
The imperial government will not
expect the government OF :he United
States to omit any work or any act
necessary to the performance of it's
sacred duty of maintaining the rights
Of the United States and its citizens
and Of safeguarding their free exer-
else and enjoyment"
| Bryan Shuns Big War.
Mr. Bryan's decision to resign was as
much shock to the president as it
was to every one else. He has said re-
peatedly he would not resign and he
made every one believe that whatever
| happened he would remain an official
of the administration until the expira-
ton of the presidents term Of office.
Eut he has said also that While he
was secretary of state there would be
no war. He did not object to- indeed
he recommended, the punitive expedi-
| ton which proved so abortive at Vera
Cruz. He was prepared even to stand
| for further political Intervention in
Mexico, provided of course, that it did
not lead to military occupation. But
he was violently opposed to any rep
reservations to powers like Great Brit
ain and Germany which might precipi-
| tate a situation where war would be
| inevitable.
Preferred Clash With Allies.
1 1t has been no secret in Washington
| that he has taken the stand that 1t was
| far preferable to have dispute, nc
matter how serious, with Great BitaiD
or France or Russia, rather than with
Germany With those three nations he
negotiated his treaties. entitled For
| the Advancement of Peace" Under
! their provisions, all controversies
whether of honor or vita! interest must
be subjected to investigation.
Mr. Bryan failed to take into ac-
count that in the extraordinary con-
ditions which prevail, the allies might
determine to disregard treaties and
proceed along lines they deemed essen
4 tial to their safety.
DisIiked Note to Germany.
Mr.. Bryan did not wholly approve
of the presidents note to Germany. de-
claring the United States would hold
that country to "strict accountability
should American ships or American
lives be sacrificed as result Of Ger
| man submarine operations. It was with
a great deal of reluctance that he gave
his approval to and signed the presd-
dents note to Germany demanding the
cessation Of the submarine war as q
result Of the sinking of the Lusitania.
At that time. 1t was repOT tsi, "a
Bryan intended to resign. He then said
in answer to a question about this
rumor: THAT is an unfair question
to put to me at this time. No one
with an ounce Of patriotism would seek
to complicate matters In view Of ouI
present foreign relations. approve
the note"
Differ on Lusitania Inquiry.
Apparently Mr.. Bryan believed at
the time that Germany would accept
the American demands. or at least the
door would be open to discussion
which this government could enter
Germany failed to comply. but in Its
response inserted suggestion for In
lvestigation by The Hague which Pc
culiarly appealed to Mr.. Bryan's paci-
ficist mind. He thought the proposal
l