Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-06-14
BRYAN INSISTS
REPLY REVISED
AFTER he QUIT
Nebraskan Says Change Not Enough
to Justify Him in Withdrawing
His Resignation from
Cabinet.
TENSION GENERALLY RELAXED
Gerard Officially Announces Deliv-
cry to German Government of
American Rejoinder.
FEELING OF OPTIMISM STRONG

WASHINGTON June 1S.-Of-
ticial announcement of the delivery
of the American note to the German
government reiterating insistence
that submarine warfare conform to
the laws of humanity and interna-
tional law was received today from
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin.
The message came at the close OF a
day marked by a more optimistic
feeling in official quarters that the
German answer would forestall any
possibility of war between the ma
tions and also avoid breach OF dip
lomatic relations.
Tension Relaxed.
Apparently there was a general relax
alton of tension in the international
situation. President Wilson spent part
OF the day at golf and let it be known
that later in the month he planned to
take a short vacation ct his summer
home in Cornish, n. VI. No answer TO
the American reioinder is expected for
ten DAYS at least, and there is conVic-
tion here that the Berlin authorities Will
await the arrival there of Meyer Ger
hard. official representative Of Ambas-
sador Bernstorff, before their answer is
framed.
Former Secretary of State Bryan, who
resigned his portfolio rather than sign
the second note to Germany. Issued an
other statement late today. declaring
that the note was materially revised fol-
lowing the presentation of his resisna-
tion. The revision, Mr.. Bryan averred.
softened the note. but was not sufficient
10 Justify him in Withdrawing mis- resig-
nation.
cit is true" said Mr.. Bryan, that l
saw the final draft of the note just
before my resignation took effect but
Il contained an important change.
had no knowledge Of this change at the
time NV RESIGNATION wds rendered and
accepted.
:. Note Much sOftened.
ssrhis change, while very much soften
ing the note, was not. however. sufficient
In my Judgment. to justify me In asking
permission to withdraw my resignation
A. Germany had suggested arbitration.
felt that we could not do less than
replv 20 this offer by expressing Il Will
inRness to apply the principle OF the
ueace treaties to the case"
.sWhat was the change in the noteF
Mr. Bryan was asked.
'I cannot discuss that" he replied.
II was suggested that the clause added
70 the note was that saying the United
states would entertain any evidence Ger
roanv might have that officials of this
government had not thoroughly performed
their duty in examining the Lusitania
before its departure to see that 1t was
not armed for Offensive action MT
Bryan only smiled at the suggestion
Lansing Also silent.
Secretary Lansing also declined TO dis
cuss 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 officials OF
tha government OF the United states did
not perform those duties with thorough
ness tho government Of the United
states Eopes that it will submit that
evidence for consideration"
"IrregpectiSe Of whether that clause was
inserted or not" Mr. Bryan was asked.
does il not open the way for further
negotiations with Germany?
Il 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 "a Charges.
IN his statement tonight Mr.. Bryan re-
piled 70 published charges Of inconsis-
tency because he signed the first note
following the Lusitania incident and re-
fused to sign the second.
THE notes." he said. must be eonsid-
cred in connection with the conditions
under which they were sent. The first
note presented the case OF this govern
ment upon such evidence as we then had.
II was like the plaintiffs statement in
case. his claim being based upon the
facts as he presents them. Y did not
agree entirely with the language of the
first note. but the differences were not
so material as to justify refusal to
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