Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-06-09
Mr.. BRYAN's RESIGNATION.


administration in the most critical hour since
the Civil War.
Mr.. Bryan's policy, undoubtedly that of a
sincere, high-minded man, bears too much the
tinge of peace-at-any- price TO suit the American
conscience, the American patriotism, the Ameri-
can temper at this moment We are in no mood
for peace,at-an price. We demand peace, but
not at the price of any yielding of honor; not
at the price Of surrendering the rights of
American citizens at home and abroad.
Until the announcement of Secretary Bryan 8
resignation was made public, there was not
even hint of discord in the cabinet; not even
q hint that the chiefs of the national admins
tration were not standing together firmly to
protect Americans from death at the hands of
ruthless belligerents in the great war. The
news that twice previously Mr.. Bryan had pre-
sented his resignation and twice had been per
suaded TO withdraw it is amazing. 1t was
known that President Wilson personally wrote
the first note TO Germany and that he wrote
most of the second note. The conjecture has
been that he felt so strongly personal re-
sponsibility for the administration acts that
he wished to mould even the phrases and SEN
fences, of the note. Now it is apparent that
Secretary Bryan disagreed with the spirit of
the first note; that he felt it might involve the
United States too deeply and irrevocably; and
though he signed it, the signature was that Of
fhe Bryan hand, not of the Bryan heart.
Mr. BrSan's retirement will strengthen the
administration because it is the president and
not the secretary Of state who is in step with
the American people today.
The president cannot possibly be accused of
combativeness; he cannot possibly be accused
OF oyer-readiness to quarrel with Germany, or
with any other nation Nine-tenths of the criti-
cism that has been hurled at the president has
been on the other side-tllat he sat too long
passive while American rights were violated
and American lives sacrificed in the turmoiled
war-zone. His note to Germany brought even
from his critics, even from his deadliest politi-
cal enemies, splendidlchorus of praise, fine
pledge of support The president had shown
that he was willing to suffer misunderstanding
and affront abroad if thereby the United States
might give the world a better example of peace
with great humanitarian end in view; the
country supported him in this position-it, too,
was willing 10 suffer much. But when it be-
came apparent that sacred national and inter-
rational rights were being more ruthlessly
shattered day by day, the president and the
country realized that further yielding was not
compatible either with constructive peace or
with national honor Then came that mastery
note to Germany.
That Mr. Bryan differs with the administra-
tion's program so vigorously as to quit the
cabinet at national crisis does credit to his
independence but not to his conception of the
country IS duty at this time Nor does it display
the practically necessary in truly. great sec
rotary of state Perhaps he still relies upon the
tabled virtues of his twenty -seyen-or was it
iifty-seven !-peace treaties that were to make
war impossible. Perhaps he has expected
somehow that the United States could get along
IN peace through Gulflight and Lrisitania and
Gushing incidents, and could retain respect at
home and abroad by a program of mute pas
siyity or unresistng sufferance. He is much
better ont of the cabinet than in it with these
views The American people retain no such
Illusions.
There are political aspects in the cabinet
split which Immediately suggest themselves
But they may for the moment be forgotten. The
prime consideration now is that the admins
iration be united upon course which the whole
country can applaud. LIN Mr.. Robert Lansing
the president finds master of international law
and a personality just beginning to be appre-
eiated as it is just beginning to be generally
known. He is Mr.. Bryan's equal in high
3m;ndedness and his superior in practically.
Mr. BRYAN will continue to occupy the posi-
t;an af an eminent critic of public affairs. As
-, axecntiye he has been of negligible force in
- ,ab;nat. ne a diplomat he has made more