The Penn's Grove record., 1915-06-11
The PENIS Grove Record
FRIDAY, JUNE II, 1915
Bryan Resigns Secretary Of State
Sees No Need of War With Germany
Because Americans Are Injured
ON Belligerent Ships
American People Are With Bryan

The political sensation of the world
is the resignation Of William j. Bryan
rs Secretary of State from President
Wilson's cabinet. He refused to en-
dOrse the message sent to Germany
made public this Friday morning.
The kernel in the Presidents mes
sage is as follows:
"The Government of the United
States cannot admit that the pEOcla-
nation of a wal zone from which
neutral ships have been warned to OPP
crate as in any degree an Authorization
of the rights either of American ship
masters or of American citizens bound
on lawful errands as passengers on
merchant ships Of ~belligerent national
ity."
MI. Bryan objects to having the
United States being drawn into a fight
by protecting American citizens on
ships of nations at war. When there
is a fight OF a riot citizens are warned
to keep off the street? When there is
val why should not American citizens
be kept out of it and off ships likely to
be attacked by an enemy.
If they go ON foreign battle fields or
OH ships OF nations al wal the lives and
properties of other peaceful citizens
should not be called upon to protect
them in their foOlhardiness and reck-
lessness.
The laws of the United States forbid
the transportation of citizens in cars
and boats with ammunition, powder,
benzine and gasoline. Why should we
contend for the transportation of citi-
zens on ships Of belligerents with such?
Is there an Americ IN who wishes to
enlist for such a contention? Has he
a son he wishes sent to war; Has he
any money he wishes to pay in tax to
uphold such policy.
If there be a reader of the Penns
Grove RECORD who endorses such we
wish to hear from him.
INVESTIGATION BEFORE WAR
MI. Bryan has made public his
reasons for resignlng outside the felicl-
tous letters between him and the Pres
ldent. They are i'll part Is follows:
1.-TWO of the points OH which we diff
fer, each conscientious i'll his conyic-
ton, are:
First, as to the suggestion of in
~vestigatiOn by an international COM
mission, and,
Second, as to warning Americans
against travelling Oh belligerent vessels
or With cargOes OF ammunition.
II believe that this nation should
frankly state to Germany that we are
willing to apply i'll this case, the prin-
cipal which We are bound by treaty to
apply to disputes between the United
States and thirty countries with which
we have made treaties providing for
lnvegtigation of all disputes of every
character and nature.
NATIONS WELFARE ABOVE CITIZENS
RIGHTS
"Why should an Americon citizen
be permitted to involve his ountry in
war by travelling upon a %belligerent ship
when he knows that the ship will pass
through a danger zone? The question
Is not whether an American citlzen has
a right, under information law, to
travel on a belIigerent ship; the ques-
lion is whether he ought not, out of
consideration for his country, if not for
his w safety, avoid danger when
avoidance is possible.
sit is a very one-sided citizenship
that eompels a government to go to war
over a citizens rights, and yet relieve
the citizen of all obligations to consider
his nations welfare. l do not know
just how far the president cen legally
go in actually preventing Americans
from travelling on belligerent ships, but
1 believe the government should 90 as
far as it can, and that in case of doubt
1t should give the benefit of the doubt
to the government.
But even if the government could not
legally prevent citizens from travelling
on belllgerent ships, it could, and in
my Judgement, should, earnestly advise
American citizens not to risk them
selves OR the peace of their country. anu
l have no doubt that these warnings
would be needed.
president Taft advised Americans
to leave Mexico when Instruction |
broke out there, and President Wilson
has repeated the advice. This advice.
III my Judgement, was eminently wise. |
and l think the same course should be
followed in regard to warning Ameri-
cans to keep off vessels subject to at
tack.