The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-12


ton OF Mr.. Bryan in the cabinet re-
Gently has become very embarrassing
his advocacy of peace being SO pro-
nounced that other members of the
cabinet who felt that the United
States should assert it's policy, ire
spectiye of the consequences, were
understood to have on ono occasion
declared their intention OF resigning
if a policy Of firmness and vigor were
not adopted. SO.
The real disagreement dates back
to the famous session Of the cabinet
when the note Of May 13, following
the sinking of the Lusitania, was
drafted, informing Germany that the
United States would not omit "any
word or any act" to protect it's rights
AT that time Mr.. Bryan made a
speech counseling peaceful measures
and cautious action. He gave his con-
sent to signing the note only after it
was tentatively arranged that a state
ment should be issued at the White
House and transmitted to the German
government announcing that mas
much as Germany had accepted the
principle of the peace treaties nego-
tiated between the United States and
other countries, differences between
the two nations might be adjusted by
a commission of investigation. Op-
position to this course was most vehe-
ment in some cabinet quarters, and
the president, after having considered
at length Mr.. Bryan's suggestion, final
ly disapproved it at the hour the
note was sent. Some cabinet officers
argued that such an apendix to the
note of May 13 would be construed
abroad as a weakening of the Amer
lean position. and their counsel pre-
vailed. Since then the official rela-
tions of MIR. Bryan with the president
and the other cabinet officers have
been somewhat strained, although the
closest personal friendship has been
maintained.
Officials Of the administration were
unanimous tonight in their expression
or personal regret. Secretary Tumulty
issued a statement to that effect, and
the president reflected the same sem
timent in his letter. Admiration and
praise for the courageous manner in
which Mr.. Bryan had fought for and
held to his convictions were expressed
by officials on every side, including
those who had been most vigorous. in
their opposition to his policies.
The strong personal attachment OF
the president and Mr.. Bryan has long
been e., noticeable in their every day
conferences. Even today as they met
In the cabinet room their greeting was
one, OF affection and regard. ,.
1t became known only tonight that
twice before in the two years and
three months of his term, Mr.. Bryan
had offered to resign so as to save the
president from embarrassment, and
each time the president refused to ac-
cept the resignation. Throughout the
constant newspaper bombardment OF
Mr.. Bryan for his views on peace, his
advocacy Of prohibition and his
speeches on the chautauqua, the pres
ident has stood by the secretary, re-
senting criticism Of him. In domestic
anairs the two men who were at the
helm of the democratic party in Its
first ascendency into power in 16 years
cooperated most harmoniously. Often
Mr.. Bryan yielded some of his own
views, as on the currency bill, and
used his influence to assist the presi
dents programme in congress. 1t was
not surprising, therefore, to officials
and friends Of the president and Mr..
Bryan to learn tonight that the latter
continued undaunted in his support
of the president politically. although
he could not remain in the cabinet
and give him official help on a matter
OF principle which affected his entire
philosophy of life.
Secretary Bryan virtually has con-
sidered himself as out Of the admins
tration all day. Denying himself to
newspaper men twice during the day
at his usual time for receiving them,
the secretary thereby aroused suspi-
cion that something unusual had oc-
CURED. After lunching with other
members of the cabinet, he returned
to his office, accompanied by Secre-
tary Daniels, who remained for q
few minutes. Later Secretary Daniels
steadfastly refrained from discussing
what had occurred at the cabinet
meeting.