New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-13
NOTE MODIFIED,
BRYAN INSISTS
right Of the United States to trade with
neutrals.
Continued from page I
Feared Germany's Anger.


Feared Germany's Anger.
The third refers, Of course, to the
interference by Great Britain with the
commerce between this country and
the neutral countries bordering on
Germany and Austria, due to the order
in Council.
In further detailing his reasons for
refusing to sign the recent note MI.
BRYAN declared he feared Germany
might, in her anger. break off diplo
matte relations with this country, due
to the state of feeling in Germany, and
precipitate situation out of which
war might come without the wish OF
either side. He pointed out that II
this country were drawn into the war
it would lose its opportunity to act as
mediator, and, in addition, belllg-
erent United States might result IN
other countries being drawn into the
war. No one could foresee, he said
what the result would be If Germany
in anger, broke off diplomatic relations,
and he was not willing to face any
such contingency.
That the country would support
President Wilson unanimously during
a war Mr. Bryan did not doubt at all,
but he declared his belief that the
chances of war would be lessened lin
proportion as the country expresses
itself in favor of pesce-not peace at
any price but peace in preference to a
war waged for the redress OF such
grievances as we have against Ger
many"
Text Of Bryan Statement.
The text Of Mr.. Bryan's statement is
as follows:
"My attention has been called to q
number of newspaper editorials and ar
ticles which, in varying language, ask
the question, why did Mr.. Bryan sign
the first note to Germany, d then re-
fuse to sign the second? The argu-
ment presented in the question is based
upon the supposition that the two notes
were substantially the same, and that
the second note simply reiterates the
demands contained in the first. They
then declare it inconsistent to Ign one
and refuse TO sign the other.
"The difference between the two
cases would seem obvious enough to
make an answer unnecessary, but, lest
silence on the subject be taken as an
admission of inconsistency, the follow
ing explanation is given:
-The notes must be considered in
connection with the conditions under
which they were sent. The first note
presented the case Of this government
upon such evidence as we then had. II
was like the plaintiffs statement in a
case, his claim being based upon the
facts as he presents them. ! did not
agree entirely with the language of the
first note, but the difference was not
so material as 10 justify O refusal to
sign il. Then, too, ! was at that time
hoping that certain things would be
done which would make it easier for
Germany to acquiese n our demands.
Things Which Didn't Happen.
"The three things which | had in
mind, which in my judgment would
have helped the situation, were, first,
al announcement of a willingness upon
our part to employ the principle of in
vestigation embodied in our thirty
peace treaties; second, action which
would prevent American citizens from
travelling on belligerent ships or on
American ships carrying contraband,
especially II that contraband consisted
of ammunition, and, third, further in
sistence upon our protest against inter
ference of our trade with neutrals.
thought that these three Things were
within the range Of possibilities, and
that two, or at least one, was probable
Some weeks have elapsed since the
first note was sent, and we have not
only failed 10 do any of these things
hoped for, but Germany has in the
meantime answered, and In her answer
has not only presented q number of
alleged facts which, in her judgment,
justified the deviation which she has
made from the ordinary rules applica-
Bile TO prize cases, but she has sug-
gested arbitration.
"A rejection OF the arguments which
she presented and Of the allegation
made, together with a reiteration of
the original demands, creates a very
different situation from that which ex-
listed when the first demand was made.
As have before stated, my fear has
been thai, owing 20 the feeling ex-
listing in Germany. the government
might, upon receipt OF such a note
under such circumstances, break of
diplomatic rplationa and TINS eraata a.