The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-09
MIR. BRYAN,S RETIREMENT.

Except as TO the wrong impression
it may create in Germany and else
where that we are nation seriously
divided as to cur stand over the LuSi-
tania affair, Mr.. Bryan's resignation
/ of the portfolio of secretary of state,
is one of the best things that could
have happened for the. Wilson admin
istration and for the country. He has
failed utterly to measure up to the re-
quirements of this important Office.
His activities in it have comprised one
colossal blunder after another, some
of them not SO serious as they have
| been ridiculous. And the suggestion
will not down that much of the blame
that has been heaped on President
Wilson for our wobbly and disastrous
policy in respect to Mexico and for the
diplomatic plumbers that we made at
the beginning of the European war
probably belongs on the shoulders of
the Nebraska lecturer. There is some
thing of merit in Mr.. Bryans sugges-
ton that it is inconsistent for us to
refuse the proposals of Germany that
we arbitrate some of the questions in
volved in the torpedoing of the Lusi-
tania. We have ever been at the
front rank of the arbitration enthusi-
asts.
But while we are arbitrat;ng or
arguing these questions is Germany to
have the privilege of slaughtering
such of our citizens as elect to travel
through the submarine war zone" in
merchant ships of her enemies, or to
destroy perfectly good American mer-
chant ships and endanger the lives of
their crews just because she may
think they are loaded with contra
band? That's the real nubbin of this
big question. And President Wilson
would be little short of traitorous to
the rights of his fellow citizens and
to the nation did he not follow up his
first vigorous note to Germany with
an even more vigorous one in view of
the unsatisfactory reply that Germany
saw fit to make. 1t was no more than
a bubble and a dodge. The questions
involved in the controversy, that may
be subject to arbitration. can be taken
up after the main issue is settled, that
is, of course, if Germany acquiesces to
our views and demands. But there
can be no arbitration of. the right of
Germany to murder American citizens,
even though they may be so1foolhardy
as to enter the war zones. real or
ina ginary.
Ier1nany mas no Sucn right, except
of her own making. Her submarine
smuggling of merchant ships carrying
neutral passengers is contrary to all
the ethics, rules and precedents of
war, to International law and to the
agreements among the nations this
very point, and to which Germany is
a party. And the evident purport of
President Wilson's second note de-
cIaraS this in 11nnliS a ble a SbiOni
and makes it clear that such guerilla
practices by Germany on or under the
seas will not be tolerated by these
United States. That this position by
President Wilson, which is also the
voice of a united nation, runs counter
to the personal peace-at-any-price
views of Mr.. Bryan is regrettable
merely and only because of the impress
is wide difference of opinion among
the people of this country as to the
stand we should take with Germany.
There is not. Mr.. Bryan is practically
speaking for himself. And were he
as patriotic as he has always posed to
be, he would have swallowed his
pride and personal convictions and re-
manned in the cabinet until, at least,
the present serious crisis in our re1a-
lions with Germany had passed or
come to head in one way or the
other.