New Britain herald., 1915-06-11
Former Secretary of State Says lingo Editors Put Own Con-
 struction Upon it in Advance
COLORED IT TO SUIT j.
 THEIR OWN PURPOSES

But Will Support Wilson to Find
 Peaceful solution of Problem Raised by Submarine Warfare. @
 Washington, June 11.-Former Sec retarys Bryan today issued state rnent- expressing his qualification over what he termed a change in the tone of the press regarding the American note to Germany. The statement fol- lows: a.
 II am glad to note the change in the tone of the press in regard to the note to Germany. From the time the papers began to publish forecasts down to yesterday, the jingo editors have been predicting that the matter would be dealt with with great firm ness, that Germany would be told that there must be no more delay in the acceptance of this country's de- mands, etc. ' Made Own Construction.
 i"Instead of waiting until the note was issued they put their own con- sstruction upon it in advance and ;colored it to suit their own purposes.
 a It is a relief to find the papers now emphasizing te friendly. tone of the note and pointing out that it does not necessarily mean war.
 ''Something has been gained if the warrior Journalists at lasS realize that the country does not want war, but that on- the contrary, it will support the president in his efforts to find a peaceful solution of the difficult prob fem, raised by the use UT the sub- marine against merchantmen
 Supplemented With Anecdote.
 The former secretary, giving out his formal statement supplemented it with the following aneodote:
 "A congressman replying to a. lingo speech recently said While am personally against war, l am in favor of the country having what it wants. If the country wants war, let il have war, but let it first find out if the country does want war. If it be- comes necessary to ascertain the sentiment of the country, I suggest that ballot be taken; let those who want war vote for war, and those opposed to war vote against it, and let the vote be taken with the un- derstanding that those who vote for var will enlist for war and that those who vote against war will not be called upon until after those who want 1 war have exhausted their efforts" People Should Rule.
 sI still believe" added MT. Bryan. | Tn the right of the people to rule, | and think the congressman's sug- yestion might ensure deliberate action | nn the part of the voters
 . MT. Bryan was reminded of the of some of h1s friends that n case of war he would be one of the 5rst to enlist. T do not want to talk u out war, but on one occasion en- :sted to defend my country. on the ! first day war was declared" he re- ,1ied.
 Appeal to American People.
 In his second statement, addressed l @ the American people and which 1as coincidenaally issued with the of the American rejoinder c the German governments reply to he note following the sinking of the 4usitania, MT. Bryan asked the public Q sssit in judgment Upon my decision Q resign rather than share responsi- ,ility for it.'
 He contends that the American .ote conforms to the standards of the Id system of force, while he is an ydvocate of the new system of per- !.asion and ' as an humble follower # the Prince of Peace" pleads that he United States lead the world out , f the black night of war into the 1 , lght of that day" when swords shall 1 e beaten into plowsnares." ,
 Confidence In Public.
 MT. Bryan expresses confidence that he public will credit him with honor ble intentions, but says that good in- entions are not enough. He adds |, lat of the public verdict Is against im,, he asks no mercy, declaring that i ublic men must be willing to bear | ( ny deserved punishment from os- -acism to execution :. "A --------- r