The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-09

tne larger view OF the SITUATION ana
demonstrate that 1t stands IA heartily
behind the President In his present
course as il did when the first note
was despatched. I
e Many of Mr.. Bryan's friends are
already busy. Representative Bu-
chanan of Illinois has undertaken to
line up organized labor against II
possibility Of war with Germany, and
other supporters of MIR. Bryan are at
work in other directions.
OF course If Germany feels that the
United states is divided against IT.
self on this issue the Berlin author'-
ties will be certain to adopt q less
conCil!atory course.
on the other hand. the retirement
.of Mr.. Bryan is sure to cause a pro-
found impression in Berlin. OhicaI
reports received here recently have
Indicated that the kaiser's advisers
were not alive to the seriousness Of
the controversy with the United
States. I
he retirement of Mr.. Bryan will
throw a hood of light upon the De
termination OF President Wilson. and
Is bound to have "a good effect unless
n feeling against the Administrators
course Immediately asserts itself In
this country.
The action Of Mr.. Bryan to-day was
due to his overthrow as Il force In
shaping the ADMINISTRATORS foreign
policy. Whatever may be said OF
President Wilson'S disposition to con-
duct his Administration in his WI
way, Mr.. organs influence has
operated powerfully in determining
the policy Of this Government until
recently.
Mr.. Bryan as an adviser on foreign
effairs has keen superseded by Secre-
tary Of War Garrison and Secretary OF
the Interior Lane. These are the two
members Of the Cabinet who have
from the start asserted the necessity
Of pursuing a vigorous policy not
only with regard TO Germany but In
the case of Mexico.
Opposed ny Bryan.
They have encountered the OPPOSE
tion Of Mr.. Bryan from the start.
There have been man tests OF
strength in the Cabinet. The Presi-
dent has seemed at times to oscillate
between one group and the other, but
with the arising of the German situa-
ton he took his stand firmly on the
side of those who favor a vigorous as
sertion of America : rights.
When this stand by the President
became known it seemed certain that
the parting OF the ways between MIR.
BRYAN and Mr.. Wilson must come
eventually. The only thing which
surprised Washington was that It
came so soon and that Mr. Bryan
selected as the occasion for his re-
tirSment a great crisis in the affairs or
the American Government.
The difference between Mr.. Bryan
and the President began even before
the despatch of the Presidents first
note to Germany. When the Falab
case first arose Mr.. Bryan was in
favor of applying the principles m
bodied in his peace treaties by in
v~estlgating the facts through a COM
mission. The President opposed this
suggestion and later the issue was
Joined when all Of G~ermany's SUBJ
marine offences came before the
Cabinet to be made the basis Of a
single note.
The President had prepared a draft
OF a note which he thought met the
situation. He submitted it to the
Cabinet and Immediately encountered
the opposition of Mr.. Bryan.
sir. Bryan insisted that the issues
with Germany should not be allowed
to go beyond a discussion Of facts and
n peaceful settlement. He regarded
the Administrator and particularly
himself bound to the principle Of In
~vestigating and discussing disputes
with other Governments.
Mr.. Bryan was supported In a some
VIVA ~perfunctory way by one or Two
other members OF the official family.
Another group in the Cabinet, headed
by Postmaster-General Burleson. was
in favor of a less vigorous urs VITA
Germany on the ground OF political
eXpediency.
Secretary Garrison and Secretary
Lane insisted upon the necessity OF a
firm stand by the United States for the
principles OF international law and
humanity.
Bryan Virtually Alone.
The President himself was inclined to
their view from the start. and in the
end Mr., Bryan found himself standing
practically alone.
When it became apparent that ne
could not carry the day he arose In the
Cabinet meeting and delivered n re-
markable speech, in which he pledged
his loyalty TO the President.
Even after the Cabinet meeting. how
ever. Mr.. Bryan did not cease his efforts
10 change the Presidents mind, His
activity along this line, especially after
the Cabinet had formally Endorsed the
note, aroused resentment on the part OF
some OF the Presidents advisers.
Mr.. Bryan's efforts after that first
note had been decided upon were so
earnest that he had practically per-
suaded the President at one time TO at
tach an addendum to the note which
would have had the effect of making IL
certain that the issues would be con-
fined to discussion and INVESTIGATION.
II is the understanding in Washington
that the note with this addendum had
almost reached the telegraph wire he
fore the President changed his mind and
decided to stand by the original draft
OF the note.
Even at that time President Wilson
apparently fores4w the crisis toward
which his relations with Mr.. Bryan were
rapidly drifting, Nevertheless Mr.. Wal
son decided that he had a duty to
perform to the American people. and.
regardless Of political expediency or tho
welfare Of his party, he must follow the
course as he saw Il.
The interval between the. sending O.
the Presidents first note and the recelp 4
of the German reply was used by Mr..
Bryan in an endeavOr to prepare the
IDa@a1I 49, IL ~ yLr ,La .