Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-13
BRYAN SAYS NOTE
WAS "SOFTENED"
AF TER HE RESIGNED
Revision Not Sufficient to
Justify Him in Withdraw
ing Resignation
DID NOT KNOW OF CHANGE
AT TIME HE QUIT CABINET
Former Secretary of State Re-
plies to Published Charges
of Inconsistency.
RELAXATION OF TENSION
More Optimistic Feeling in Official
Quarters of Amicuble
4 IiItS 81
DID NOT KNOW OF CHANGE
AT TIME HE QUIT CABINET
RELAXATION OF TENSION
More Optimistic Feeling in Official
Quarters of Amicuble
Adjustment.

WASHINGTON, June 12-Omcial an
nouncement OF the delivery Of tho
American note TO Germany reiterating
lnsistence that submarine warfare con-
form to rules OF humanity and inter-
national law, was received TO day from
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin. The
message came at the close Of n day
marked by q more optimistic feeling
In Official quarters that the Germans
would forestall any possibility Of war
between the two nations. and also
avoid a breach of diplomatic relations
Apparently there was general re-
taxation of tension in the international
situation. President Wilson spent part
OF the day at golf. and let it he known
that later In the month he planned to
take n short vacation at Cornish No
answer TO the American rejoindcr is
expected for ten days At least.
Former Secretary Bryan. who re-
signed rather than sign tho second
note to Germany, Issued another state
mont to-day. declaring that tho note
was materially revised following the
presentation OF his resignation. The
revision. Mr.. Bryan nverrcd, softcned
the note. but was not sufficient to
justify him In withdrawing his resiE-
nation.
1T is true" said Mr.. Bryan. that
saw the final draft of the note just be-
fore my resignation took effect, but
it contained an important change. L
had no knowledge of this change at
the time my resignation was rendered
and accepted.
CHANGE NOT SUFFICIENT
n A
This change. while very much soft
ening the note. was not, however. suf-
fcient. in my opinion. to justify me In
asking permission to withdraw my
resignation. AS Germany had sug-
gested arbitration. I felt that we could
not do less than reply to this offer by
expressing a willingness to apply the
principle Of the peace treaties to the
case"
What was the change in the note 20
Mr.. Bryan was asked.
II cannot discuss that" he replied
II was suggested that the clause
added 10 the note was that saying the
United States would entertain any evil
dence Germany might have that Ameri-
can officials had not thoroughly per-
formed their duty in examining the
Lusitania before her departure TO see
tnHl Sne was not dTTleu LOT offensive
action. Mr.. Bryan only smiled at the
suggestion.
Secretary Lansing also declined to
discuss changes made in the note. The
clause referred to follows:
"If the imperial German government
should deem itself 10 be in possession
of convincing evidence that the Of
fcials Of the government of the United
States did not perform these duties
with thoroughness. the government Of
the United States sincerely hopes that
1t will submit that evidence for con-
sderation."
Irrespective OF whether that clause
was inserted or not" Mr.. Bryan was
asked. "does it not open the way for
further negotiations with Germany"
"I can only reiterate what have
said, that the note was softened" Mr..
Bryan replied. but not sufficiently to-
justify me in asking permission to
withdraw my resignation"
REPLIES TO CHARGES
OF INCONSISTENCY
In his statement to-day. Mr.. Bryan
replied to published charges OF incon-
sistency because he signed the first
note after the Lusitania disaster and
refused to sign the second.
1he notes, he SAID, must be con-
sidcred In connection with the condi-
tions under which they were sent The
first note presented the case OF the gov
ernment upon such evidence as we then
had. 1t was like the plaintiffs state
ment in a case, his claim being based
upon the facts as he presents them I
did not agree entirely with the lam
guage OF the first note, but the differ
ences were not SO material az to justify
n refusal to sign it. Then, too I was
at that time hoping that certain things
would be done which would make 1t
easier for Germany to acquiesce In our
demands"
Mr.. Bryan then repeats in his state
ment the three things he has empha-
sized in his proposal. namely, that the
United States should offer to employ
tho principle OF the investigation en-
bodied in thirty treaties with other
nations; take action. which swould pre-
vent American citizens frol& travelling
on belligerent ships. or American ships
carrying contraband, and that this gov
ernment should protest against inter-
ference with American trade with
neutrals.
"No one will be happier than J." said
Mr.. Bryan, "f the Presidents plan re-
suits in peaceful settlement; but no
feet our note would have upon Ger
many or what results would follow If
she. In anger, broke off diplomatic reIa-
tions, and I was not only willing to
Continued on Second paCe1