The Harrison times., 1915-06-12
BRYAN RESIGNS AS
SECY OF STATE
BELIEVES DOCUMENT MAY DRAW
UNITED STATES INTO WAR
WITH GERMANY.
REGRET VOICED BY WILSON
Letter Of Resignation Tinged With
Deep Personal Feeling and
Affection.

Washington. - William Jennings
Bryan resigned as secretary of state
as a dramatic sequel TO his disagree.
ment with President Wilson over the
governments policy toward Germany.
Rather than sign the document,
which he believed might draw the
United States into war; Mr.. Bryan
submitted his resignation in letter,
which says, the issue involved is of
such moment that to remain a men,
Der Of the cabinet would be as un-
fair to you as it would be to the cause
which is nearest my heart, namely,
the prevention Of war"
The president accepted the resigDa-
tion in a letter Of regret, tinged with
deep personal feeling Of affection. The
letters follow:
Secretary Bryans letter of resigna-
tion was as follows:
MY Dear Mr.. President 1t is with
sincere regret that have reached the
conclusion that should return to
you the commission Of secretary Of
state with which you honored me at
the beginning Of your administration.
"Obedient to your sense Of duty
and actuated by the highest motives,
you have prepared for transmission
to the German government q note IN
which | cannot join without violating
what | deem to be an obligation to
my country and the issue involved Is
Of such moment that to remain
member of the cabinet would be un.
fair to you as 1t would be to the
cause which is nearest my heart, name.
ly the prevention Of war
II therefore respectfully tender my
resignation, to take effect when the
note is sent, unless you prefer an
earlier hour. Alike desirous OF reach.
ing a peaceful solution of the prob.
lens arising out Of the use Of submu.
rlnes against merchantmen, we find
ourselves differing irreconciably a.
to the methods which should be en-.
ployed.
ut falls to your lot TO speak official.
ly for the nation; consider It to
be none the less my duty to endeavor,
as q private citizen, to promote tho
end which you have in view by means
which you do not feel at liberty to
use,
I'm severlng the intimate and pleas.
ant relations which have existed be.
tween us during the past two years,
permit me TO acknowledge the pro.
found satisfaction which It has given
me 10 be associated with you in Tho
important work which ha3 come be.
fore tho State Department, and to
thank you for the courtese8 extended,
with the heartest good wishes for
your personal welfare and for the
success OF your administration, am,
my dear Mr. President
"Very truly yours,
(SIgned) "W, j. Bryan"
President Wilson's Acceptance,
The presidents letter TO Mr., Bryan
was az follows;
my dear Mr. Bryan
81 accept your resignation only be-
cause you insist upon its acceptance,
and | accept Il with much more than
deep regret with feeling OF per.
sonal sorrow Our two years Of close
association have been very delightful
10 me, Our judgments have accorded
IN practically every matter Of official
duty and Of public policy until nov,
your support Of the work and pur.
poses Of the administration has been
generous and loyal beyond prNigoi
your devotion 70 the duties Of your
great office and your eagefnesB 70
take advantage Of every great oppor'
tunity for service II afforded has been
an example 10 the rest Of u.s. you
have earned our NffoctlonRto ndmlrO.
tion and friendship, Even now we
are not separate In the object We
seek, but only in tho method by which
we seek it
"It Is for these reasons my feeling
about your retirement from the secrc.
taryship OF state goes no much deeper
than regret sincerely deporo II,
Our objects are the same and wo
ought 20 pursue them together, SUB.
nit 10 your desire only because I
must and wish 10 bid you God speed
In the parting We ehall continue TO
work for the same cause, even when
we do not work in the same way
with aifeetiohato regard
Sincerely yours,
Woodrow wilson,
AnthFraternIty Act Upheld