The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-10

on It's way over the telegraph wires MT. Bryan, at his home. gave out this state ment on his position:
 My reason for resigning Is clearly stat ed in my letter Of resignation namely, that l may employ as a private citizen the means which the President does not feel at liberty to employ. I honor him for doing what he believes to be right, and l am sure that he desires, as l do, to find peaceful solution of the problem which has been created by the action of the submarines.
 Two of the points on which we differ, each conscientious in conviction, are, first. as to the suggestion of investigation by an international commission. and, second. as to warning Americans against travel ing on belligerent vessels or with eargoes of ammunition. I 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 the 30 countries with which we have made treaties providing for in vestigation of all disputes of every char acter and nature. These treaties, nego- tiated under this administration, make war practically impossible between this country and these 30 governments, rep resenting nearly three-fourths of all the people of the world.
 Offered Plan to Nations
 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 no commencement of hos tilities until the matters in dispute have been investigated 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 that accepted the principle, being the twelfth. I think, to accept. No treaty was actually entered into with Germany, but l cannot see that that should stand in the way when both nations indorsed the principle. l do not know whether Germany would &C., cept the offer, but our country should, in my judgment, make the offer.
 Such an offer if accepted would at once relieve the tension and silence all the jingoes who are demanding war. Ger many has always been friendly nation and a great many of our people are of German ancestry. Why should we not deal with Germany according to this plan to which the nation has pledged it's sup port.
 "The second point of difference is as to the course which should be pursued in regard to Americans travelling on nellig- erent ships or with cargoes of ammuni- ton.
 Why should an American citizen be permitted to involve his country in war by travelling upon bellgerent ship when he knows that the ship will pass through a danger. zone? The question is not whether an American citizen has d right, under international law, to travel on a belligerent ship; the question is whether he ought not, out of consideration for his country, if not for his own safety. avoid danger when avoidance is possible.
 One-Sided Citizenship
 Tt is a very one-sided citizenship thar compels a government to go to war over citizens rights and yet relieves the citizen of all obligations to consider his nations welfare. l do not know just how far the President can legally go in &C., tualiy preventing Americans from travel ing on beligerent ships, but I believe the government should go as far as it can and that in case of doubt it should give the benefit of the doubt to the govern ment.
 But even if the government could not legally prevent citizns from traving-v = legally prevent citizens from travelling on belligerent ships, it could and sn my judgment should, earnestly advise Amer- can citizens not to risk themselves or the peace of their country, and I nave no doubt that these warnings would be needed.
 President Taft advised Americans to leave Mexico when insurrection broke out there and President Wilson has repeated the advice. This advice, in my judg- ment, was eminentIy wise. and I think the | same course should be followed in regard to warning Americans to keep off vessels | subject to attack.
 ! "I think, too, that American passenger ships should be prohibited from carry ing ammunition. The lives of passengers ought not to be endangered by cargoes of ammunition whether that danger comes from possible explosions within or from possible attacks from without. Passen- gers and ammunition should not travel together. The attempt to prevent Ameri- can citizens from mourning these risks l is entirely consistent with the effort which our government is making to pre- vent attacks from submarines.