The Oskaloosa herald., 1915-06-17
STATEMENT BY
EX-SEC'Y BRYAN
DEFENDS U. S. SALE OF AMMUNI-
TON TO THE ALLIES.
SAYS PRESIDENT is NEUTRAL
Nebraskan In Message to German
Americans Says Mr.. Wiison Has
Been unjustIy Criticised by
Partisans of Both Sides.

! Partisans of Both sides.
Washington, June 12.-In pursuance
OF his announced intention Of conduct
ing a publicity campaign for approval
of the American public of his with.
drawal from President Wilson's cab
met, ex,Secretary OF State Bryan IS
sued statement which in part fol-
lows:
To the German-Americans:
Permit me to address a word to
you as one American citizen speaking
to fellow citizens in whose patriotism
he has confidence. 1t is natural that
in a contest between your fatherland
and other European nations, your SYM
pathies should be with the country of
your birth. 1t is no cause for CEN
sure that this is true; it would be a
reflection upon you If 1t were not true.
Do not the sons of Great Britain SYM
pathize with their mother country?
Do not the SONS of France sympathize
with theirs? Is not the same true OF
Russia and of Italy? Why should 1t
not be true of those who were born, in
Germany or Austria? The trouble is
that the extremists on both sides have
mistaken a natural attachment left for
birthplace for disloyalty to this coun.
try.
The president has been unjustly
criticized by the partisans Of both
sides-the very best evidence Of his
neutrality.
II he had SO conducted the govern
ment as to wholly please either side.
It would excite not only establishment,
but misgivings, for partisans cannot
give an unbiased judgment; they Will
of necessity look at the question from
their own point of view, giving praise
or blame: according as to the act or
belief OF it's real character, helps or
hurts the side with which they have
aligned themselves.
The fact that the administration
has received more criticism from Ger
man-Americans than from those In
sympathy with the allies is due to the
fact that, while both sides are at lib
erty, under international law, to pur-
States, the allies, because of their con-
troll Of the seas, have the advantage
of being able to export 1t. 1t Is I'M
fortunate that partisan supporters OF
Germany should have overlooked the
legal requirements of the situation
and thus misunderstood the position
OF the administration The admins
| hnnn
perfectly neutral but 1t could not have
been otherwise without palpable and
intentional violation Of the rules gov
erning neutrality. This government
is not at liberty to materially change
the rules of international law during
the war because every change sug'
gested is discussed, not upon its mer-
its as an abstract proposition, but
according to the effect it will have
upon the contest. Those who wanted
to lay an embargo upon the shipments
Of arms defended their position on the
ground that ii would hasten peace. but
1t = Is strange that they could have
overlooked the fact that the only way
in which such action on our part could
hasten peace would have been by
helping one side to overcome the
other.
While the attacks made upon the
president by the extremists of both
sides were very unjust, 1t was equally
unjust to suspect the patriotism Of
those who took sides. feel well
enough acquainted with the European
| ~ hn1 hot tn,
war between this country and any Eu-
ropean power, the naturalized citizens
from that country would be as quick
to enlist as native-born citizens. AS
l am now speaking to German-Ameri-
cash, / am glad to repeat in public
what | have often said in private and
would have said in public before but
for the fact that 1t would not have
been proper for one in my official po-
sition to do so-namely, that in case
of war between the United States and
Germany-if so improbable supposi-
ton can be onsidered-GeTman-
Americans would be as prompt to en-.
list and as faithful to the flag as any
other portion of our people.
II any of them have ever in a mo-
ment of passion or excitement sus-
pected the president of lack Of neu-
trality or lack of friendship toward
the German government and the Ger
man people, let that thought be for
gotten, never again to be recalled.
have, since my resignation, received
numerous kilograms from German.
Americans and GermanAmerican So
cieties commencing my action; I
think the senders of these kilograms
understand my position, but that no
one may mistake it, let me restate It.
The president is not only DESTROYS Of
peace, but he hopes for II and has
adopted the methods which he thinks