White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-13
w. J. BRYAN MAKES
RESIGNATION STATEMENT

Just as the new American note to
Germany was started on its way over
the telegraph wires Mr.. Bryan at his
home gave out this statement of his
position:
my reason for resigning Is clear
ly stated in my letter of resignation,
namely, that | may employ as a pri-
cate citizen the ear which the
president does not feel at liberty to
employ. | honor him for doing what
he believes to be right, and | am
sure that I desire as | do, to find a
peaceful solution of the problem
which has been created by the action
of the submarines.
1.-TWO of the points on which We
differ, each conscientious in his con-
victions, are:
First, as to the suggestion of in
vestigation by an international com
mission and,
Second, as to warning Americans
against travelling on belligerant YES
sells or with eargoes 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 dis
putes of every character and nature.
These treaties negotiated under
this administration, make war prac-
tically impossible between this coun-
try and the thirty governments repre-
senting nearly three-fourths of all
the people of the world.
Among the nations with which we
have these treaties arc 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 no
commencement of hostilities until
the matter in dispute have been in,
vestigated by an international COM
mission and a years time Is allowed
for investigation and report. This
plan was offered to all the nations
without any exceptions whatever and
Germany was one of the nations thai
accepted the principle. being the
twelfth, | think to accept.
mo treaty was actually entered
into with Germany, but / cannot see
that that should stand in the way
hen both nations endored the prin-
ciple. ] do not know whether Ger
many would accept the offer, but our
country should, in my judgment,
make the offer.
Such an offer, if accepted, would
once relieve the tension and sill
enee all the jingoes who are demand
ing war. Germany has always been
a friendly nation and a great many
our people are of German ances-
try. Why should we not deal with
Germany according to this plan to
which the nation has pledged its sup
port
"The second point of difference is
as to the course which should be
pursued in regard to Americans trav-
cling on %belligerent ships with car
goes of ammunition.
why should an American citizen
be permitted to involve his country
in war by travelling upon a belliger-
ent ship when he knows that the ship
will pass through a danger zone?
The question Is not whether an
citizen has a right under
international law to travel on a bel
ligerent ship; the question is wheth-
he ought not, out of consideration
for his country, If not for his
safety, avoid danger when avoidance
is possible.
1T is a very one-sided citizenship
that compels a government to go to
war over a citizens rights and yet re-
lieves the citizen of all obligations to
consider his nations welfare. | do
not know just how for the president
can legally go in actually preventing
Americans from travelling on belliger-
ent ships, but | believe the govern
ment should go as far as it can, and
that in case of doubt it should give
the benefit of the doubt to the gov
eminent.
But even If the government could
not legally prevent citizens from
travelling on %belligerent ships.it could
and in my judgment should earnest
~ advise American citizens not to
risk themselves, and have no doubt
that these warnings would be needed.
President Taft advised Americans
to leave Mexico when instruction