Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-06-09
RRYAN.s RESIGNATION


= done something. 1t was the right
thing. but at the wrong time.
From the very moment he entered the
Cabinet it was apparent that he was a
misft in the chair of Secretary of
State. His appointment was in pay
ment OF a political debt contracted at
the Baltimore convention when he was
instrumental in the nomination OF
Woodrow Wilson for the presidency.
Bryan's selection for this important
place was the first error of the Wilson
administration and the President is now
payinE for il by the embarrassment
of internal differences at a time when
the government should be presenting
q solid front to the outside world. 1t
is a heavy price. but the recompense
of Bryan's elimination will go a long
way toward balancing h account.
Bryan's whole course as Secretary
of State has been painful to Americans
who remember the distinguished men
who preceded him n the high place
accorded American diplomacy under
their administration. At the very out
start he signed a message addressed to
Henry Lane Wilson. the then ambas-
sador to Mexico. co~ngratulating him on
the pursuit of a policy in direct oppo-
sition to the views of-the President,
and when called to account demanded
the head of an efficient subordinate
upon whom he found it convenient to
place the blame.
Immediately thereafter, with affairs
IN Mexico near the breaking point, the
Secretary of State started off on a long
lecture our in company with a BAR
OF Alpine yodlers, this joint attrac-
ton playing one-day stands for forty
consecutive days. During his absence
the heavy diplomatic work of the do
partment was performed by the coun-
selor and in some cases by the Presi-
lent himself. In 1918 he repeated his
chautauqua lectures and in 1914 OPP
posed the President when the latter
insisted upon sending the fleet to Vera
Cruz During h trying period that
followed he again permitted the sit
uation to be handled entirely by Coun-
selor Moore. who resigned rather than
perform double duty, and the present
counselor. the well-trained and efficient
Mr.. Lansing. has performed the bulk
of the labors of the department since
that time.
Bryan has been a f~gurehead or an
obstructionist in the Cabinet ever since
he entered. His only constructive
efforts have been in the negotiations
Of peace treaties between the United
C%.S.. a-J znua1p oNAz-
tons. These have been both praised
and condemned. Worthy in
diplomats Of experience have pro-
nounced them OF small practical value,
and in the light OF recent occurrences
In Europe many others have come to
that view OF them.
The resignation OF Bryan at this
time is unfortunate only because Ger
many and other foreign governments
mas misunderstood. They may see IN
II not the severance by a mere indi-
vfdus1 of the ties that have held him
very loosely connected with official life,
hut may get the idea that the Presi-
dent does not have the support of the
entire nation in his present course.
There should be no room left for doubt
on this score. The President has the
backing Of men OF all parties. Ameri-
can rights must be upheld at this time
at all costs. or we must stand ready to
submit to the tyranny of whatsoever
International bully may in the future
care TO challenge them. In his action
Bryan stands almost alone. as un-
popular a he once was popular and
as dismal q failure as ever stepped out
Of a Cabinet. At any other time his
going would have been hailed with
universal delight.