Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-06-17


ity Of the cabinet decided that the
United States in the new note to Ger
many would stand firmly for the
broad, humanitarian principles upon
which the presidents first note was
| based, Bryan decided he could not con-
scientiously give his approval to such
a course AS it would be necessary
that any note of the Importance of the
German note should bear the sigma
ture Of the secretary of state, Bryan
had to decide whether or not he would
aff1x his signature to a declaration abb
solutely opposite to his conscientious
views. He decided that he could not
do it. And his resignation then be-
came inevitable.
Lansing Authority on Law.
Robert Lansing, who succeeds Mr..
Bryan as secretary Of state, has been
counsel for the state department since
the early days of Mr. Wilson's admin
istration. He is a son-in-law of former
Secretary Of State John ". Foster, and
1t is understood that Mr.. Lansing has
received valuable advice from this
source during the trying days of the
European war.
Mr.. Lansing is fifty years old. He
Is son of the late John Lansing Of
Watertown, n. Y, where he had made
his home for many years. He has been
counsel for the government in many
important controversies with foreign
governments, notably in the Boring
sea dispute with Great Britain.
5ryan's Letter Of Resignation.
Following is Mr.. Bryan's letter OF
resignation:
Secretary Of State, Washington,
June 8, 1915.
MY Dear Mr.. President:
ut is with sincere regret that |
have reached the conclusion that /
should return to you the commission of
secretary of state with which you hon
ored me at the beginning of your ad-
ministration.
"Obedient to your sense of duty and
aotuated by the highest motives, you
have prepared for transmission to the
German government note in which l
cannot join without violating what l
deem to be an obligation to my coun-
try, and the issue involved is of such
moment that, to remain a member of
the cabinet would be as unfair to you
as 1t would be to the cause which is
nearest my heart, namely, the pre-
vention of war.
Il. therefore, respectfully tender my
resignation to take effect when the
note is sent, unless you prefer an
earlier date. Alike DESTROYS of
reaching peaceful solution of the
problem arising out of the use of
submarines against merchantmen, we
find ourselves differing irreconcilably
As to the methods which should be en-
ployed.
ut falls to your lot to speak off,
cially for the nation; I consider it to
be none the less my duty to endeavor,
as private citizen, to promote the
end which you have in view by means
which you do not feel at liberty to
use.
I'm severing the intimate and pleas
ant relations which have existed be-
tween US during the past two years,
permit me to acknowledge the pro-
found satisfaction which it has given
me to be associated with you in the
important work which has come be-
fore the state department and to
thank you for the courtesies extended.
With the heartiest good wishes for
nj F0r
cess of your administration, am, my
dear president,
Very truly yours,
CIV. J. BRYAN"
President Wilson's Answer.
The president, replying to Mr..
Bryan, said:
June 8, 1915.
MY Dear Mr.. Bryan:
81 accept your resignation only be-
cause you insist upon its acceptance,
and I accept it with much more than
deep regret, with a feeling of personal
sorrow. Our two years of close asso-
citation have been very delightful to
me. Our judgments have accorded In
practically every matter of official
duty and Of public policy until now;
your support OF the work and pur-
poses of the administration has been
generous and loyal beyond praise;
your devotion to the duties Of your
great Office and your eagerness to
take advantage Of every great oppor-
tunity for service 1t offered has been
an example to the rest of US; you
have earned our affectionate admira-
ton and friendship. Even now we
are not separated in the object we
seek, but only in the method by which
we seek it.
ct is for these reasons my feeling
about your retirement from the Sec
retaryship of state goes SO much deep
er than regret. / sincerely deplore It.
Our objects are the same, and we
ought to pursue them together.
yielded to your desire only because 7
must; and wish to bid you Godspeed
in the parting. We shall continue to
work for the same causes even when
we do not work in the same way.
with affectionate regards,
Sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON"