The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1915-06-11

was already accepted Mr.. Bryan felt
1t would be indelicate to attend the
session unless his presence was de-
sired by the president. When the
president telephoned an invitation,
secretary Bryan hurried to the White
House his face somewhat drawn
and pale.
When the cabinet adjourned short
ly after 1 o'clock, Mr.. Bryan enter
tanned seven of his colleagues, all
who could attend. at luncheon at
the University club. The luncheon
was in the nature of farewell.
Twice Before Bryan Has offered To
Resign.
The disagreement dates back to
the famous session of the cabinet
when the note of May 10. following
the sinking of the Lusitania. was
drafted, informing Germany the
United States would not omit ANY
word or act" to protect rights. Mr..
Bryan then spoke, counselling peace
full measures and cautious action.
II became known only tonight that
three months of his term Mr.. Bryan
has offered to resign so as to save
the president embarrassment, and
each time the president refused to
accept. Throughout the constant
newspaper bombardment of Bryan
for his views OF peace. the advocacy
of prohibition and chautaqua
speeches. the president has stood by
the secretary. resenting criticism of
him.
Friction Has Existed For Several
Weeks.
That there has been friction be-
tween the president and Mr.. Bryan
has been an undercurrent of comment
for several weeks, but as the presi-
dent heretofore has always been able
to secure acquiescence of the secre-
tary in his point Of view. the talk of
resignation was discounted generally.
It came to light today that the posi-
ton Of Mr.. Bryan in the cabinet re-
Gently has become very embarrass-
ing-his advocacy of peace being so
pronounced that other members of
the cabinet who felt that the United
States should assert its policy, ir-
respective of the consequences, were
understood to have on one occasion
declared their intention of resigning
II a policy of firmness and vigor was
not adopted.
Washington. June Secretary
w. J. Bryan's letter of resignation
Is as follows:
my Dear Mr.. President:
1T is with sincere regret that !
have reached the conclusion that /
should return to you the commission |
Of secretary Of state with which you |
honored me at the beginning Of your
administration.
obedience to your sense of duty. |
and actuated by the highest motives. !
you have prepared for transmission
to the German government a note in
which I can not join. without violat-
ing what I deem to be an obligation |
to my country, and in which the is
sue involved is of such moment that !
to remain a member of the cabinet |
would be as unfair to you as II would |
be to the cause which is nearest to !
my heart. namely. the prevention OF |
war.
81, therefore. respectfully tender
my resignation, to take effect when |
the note is sent, unless you prefer at !
an earlier hour. Alike DESTROYS of |
reaching a peaceful solution of the
problems arising out of the use of /,
submarines against merchantmen.
we find ourselves differing irrecon-
cilably as to methods which should
be employed.
1T falls to your lot to speak Off
cially for the nation; consider it to
be none the less my duty to endeavor /
as a private citizen to promote the
end which you have in view by the
means which you do not feel at liber-
ty to use.
''In severing intimate and pleasant
relations. which have existed between
US during the past two years, permit
me to acknowledge the profound
satisfaction which 1t has given me
to be associated with you in the i'm
portant work which has come before
the state department. and to thank
you for courtesies extended. With
the heartiest good wishes for your
personal welfare and the success of
your administration. I am. my dear
Mr.. President. very truly yours.
wv. J. BRYAN"
Presidents Letter Accepting Resig-