Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-14
Comment by
Newspapers
OF Germany
On Note

Berlin, June 13-Via London, S.55
p M.-The Sunday morning newspa-
pers of Berlin generally profess inabll-
ity to understand the motives prompt
ing William Jennings Bryan to retire
from the post Of secretary of state
The Morgen Post says: The for
mer secretary seems to have less con-
fidence than we in the honest desire OF
the American government to arrive at
peaceful compromise with us. Mr.
Bryan is convinced that President Will
son and his government will finally
appeal to force. We are not now dis
posed to believe this, but will await
events"
The Boersen Zeitung says: Bryan's
resignation has been interpreted as in
dicating that the note would be rather
blunt, which, however. no wise is the
case. The note shows, on the contra
~, an outspoken tendency to reach an
understanding with Germany on the
issues involved. If. therefore, Bryan
desires to be the representative of
peaceful efforts in opposition to the
jingoistic tendency of the American
government. we really do not know on
what ground he will base his asser-
tion''
The Boersen Zeitung terms ,Mr. Bry-
ans proclamation to the people even
harder to understand than is his res
ignation.
The Tageblatt suspects that practical
political differences played a part in
the resignation, saying:
1t may safely be assumed that Bry-
an did not leave office in order to with
draw himself from political life"
The Reichsbote. commenting on the
American note, says:
Either the tone was subdued fol-
lowing Bryan's sensational resignation
or Bryan desired to take advantage
Of an opportunity to escape easily from
situation which no longer was pleas
anti
The Deutsche Rundshau says:
After seeing the note it must be said
that Mr.. Bryan either was hasty or else
other reasons yet unknown decided his
action
The koelnische Zeitung of Cologne un-
derstands that Mr.. Bryan's withdrawal
from the American state department,
whatever else it may mean, also shows
that the koelnische lettings verdict
concerning the Cunard liner Lusitania
finds comprehension among the Ameri-
cans and that these are not disposed to
destroy the bridges connecting the two
nations.
The peace which Bryan breaches is also
possible along the ways followed by
President Wilson. the newspaper says,
and then adds:
For this, however, it indeed is neces-
sary that Americans respect also Ger
many's sacred rights"
The Berlin morning papers generally
comment more or less extendedly on the
American note along the lines followed
by the Saturday evening papers.
While there is a general disposition to
recognize the friendly tone of the note
and the fact that it makes further ne
gotiations possible, the press is divided.
roughly, into two. parties, one of which
appears disposed to enter into negotia-
tons looking to a compromise on a new
basis, while the other. by implication or
course heretofore followed Among the
representatives of the latter idea is the
Tagliche Rundschau, which declares that
while the note seeks way to a compro-
mise, it takes it along lines which must
result to the disadvantage Of Germany"
The Tagliche Rundschau continues:
The note, therefore. is calculated only
to postpone a settlement Of German
American relations and not bring 1t
about The friendly tone we acknowledge
but the declaration that the sinking of
the Lustania was unparalleled in mod
ern warfare seems opposed to the char
acter of upright friendship
The Rundschau defends the sinking of
the Lusitania and in conclusion declares
land the watchword is: The torpedoing
will go on .
The kreuze Zeitung emphasizes Ger
mans right to prevent the shipment OF
ammunition to an enemy by every means.
1t is also unable to see what England
can offer in return for the abandonment
OF the submarine campaign "since the
plan to starve Germany has finally
failed
Count Won Reventlow in the TaRes
Zeitung says:
If President Wilson persists in his
refusal to recognize the German decla-
ration OF war zone we are not able to
conceive Of an agreement. or even Of a
real understanding"
Count Won Reventlow adds: President
Wilson brushes aside with light gesture
the chief part of the German note as
unimportant. When President Wilson
appeals for morality and human rights
let him extend these noble motives first
Continued on Page 1o-column II