New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-10
BRYAN WOULD KEEP
AMERICANS OFF SEA
Says He Resigned Because President Opposed Arbi
tration and Would Not Warn Citizens Against
Travel in Bellgerent Ships.

permitted to involve his country 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 citizen has
a right, under international law. to
travel on a belligerent ship; the ques-
tion is whether he ought not, out OF
consideration for his country, II not
for his own safety, avoid danger when
avoidance is possible. :.
at is a very one-sided citizenship
that compels a government to go 70
war over a citizens rights and yet re-
lieves the citizen of all obligations TO
consider his nations welfare. | do
not know Just how far the President
can legally go in actually preventing
Americans from travelling on belliger-
ent ships, but I believe the govern
ment should 20 as far as it can. and
that in case Of doubt il should give
the benefit of the doubt to the govern
ment. =,
But even IL the government could
not legally prevent citizens from trav'
elling on belligerent ships, 1t could
and in my judgment should, earnestly
advise American citizens not TO risk
themselves or the peace of their coun'
try, and I have no doubt that these
warnings would be needed.
Cites Taft's Act as Precedent.
president Taft advised Americans to
leave Mexico when insurrection broke
out there. and President wilson mas
repeated the advice. This advice. IN
nv Judgment, was eminently wise. and
I think the same course should be FOL
lowed in regard to warning Americans
TO keep off vessels subject to attack.
81 think, too. that American passen-
ger ships should be prohibited from
CARRYING ammunition. The lives OF
passengers ought not to be endangered
by cargoes of ammunition, whether that
danger comes from possible explosions
within or from possible attacks from
without. Passengers and ammunition
should not travel together. The at
tempt to prevent American citizens
from incurring these risks is entirely
consistent with the effort which our
government is making to prevent at
tacks from submarines.
"The use of one remedy does not ex-
clude the use of the other. The most
familiar illustration is to be found in
the action taken by municipal authori-
ties during riot. II is the duty OF
the Mayor to suppress the mob and to
prevent violence. but he does not hesi-
tate to warn citizens to keep of the
streets during the riots. He does not
question their right to use the streets,
but for their own protection and in the
interest of order he warns them not
to incur the risks involved in going
upon the streets when men are shoot
ing at each other.
Wants to Aid President.
"The President does not feel iusti-
fed in taking the action above stated.
That is, he does not feel justified.
first. in suggesting the submission OF
the controversy to investigation. or,
second. in warning the people not to
incur the extra hazards in travelling
on belligerent ships or on ships carry
ing ammunition. And he may be right
in the position he has taken. but as q
private citizen I am zee to urge both
of these propositions and to call public
attention 20 these remedies in the
hope of securing such an expression
of public sentiment as will support the
President in employing these RENE
dies. il. in the future. he finds 1t con-
sistent with his sense Of duty to favor
them"
Secretary BRYAN said. in giving out
his statement. that while IL mentioned
only two points of difference he re-
served any others for presentation in
; the future.