East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-06-12
WILSON DEFENDED
IN APPEAL ISSUED
BY EX-SECRETARY
William Jennings Bryan, in State.
ment to German.AmeriCans Urges
Them to Aid in Maintaining Peace
HIS POSITION IS OUTLINED
Efforts of Bryan 10 Lay Before
the Public the Situation Which
Forced Him TO Retire, VIII BE
Ended-Declares Wilson Is Unjust
ly Criticised.

WASHINGTON, June 12.-William
Jennings Bryan last night issued an
appeal addressed to "the German-Am-
orleans" urging them to aid in main
tanning peace between the United
States and the fatherland by exerting
their influence with the German gov
ernment to persuade 1t not to take
any steps that would lead in the dl-
rectiOn OF war.
With this statement Mr.. Bryan ex-
poets to end for the present his ef-
forts to lay before the public the sit
uation which caused him to resign
the portfolio of secretary Of state.
MIR Bryan declared that President
Wilson had been unjustiy criticised by
partisans of both sides in the Euro
pean conflict; expressed confidence
that Germans would stand by their
adopted country in case Of war be-
tween the United States and Germany:
maintained that killing of innocent
women and children either by drown
ing or starving, could not be justl-
fled and suggested change in the
shipping laws to exclude passengers
from ships carrying contraband or
ammunition.
Attachment Declared Not Disloyalty.
Mr., Bryan's statement follows
ITO the German Per.
nit me TO address a word to you as
one American citizen speaking to fell
low citizens in whose patriotism he
has entire confidence. 1t is natural
that in contest between your father
land and other European nations
your sympathies should be with the
country Of your birth. 1t is no cause
for censure that this is true: it would
be a reflection upon you If it we're
not true Do not the sons OF Great
Britain sympathize 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 not It be true of those
who are born in Germany or Austria
The trouble is that the extremists on
both sides have mistaken a natural
attachment felt for birthplace for dis
loyalty to this country.
The president has been uniustly
criticised by the partisans of both
sides-the very best evidence of his
neutrality If he had so conducted
The government as wholly to please
either side It would excite not only as
constituent but misgivlngs. for parts
ans cannot give an unbiased iudg-
nent; they will of necessity look att
The question from their own point of
view giving praise or blame. accord
ng as the act, regardless of its real
character, helps or hurts the side with
which they have aligned themselves.
Rules Cannot BE Changed Now.
That the administration has re-
'eived more criticism from German
Americans than from the allies is due
o the fact that both sides are at lib |
'rty, under the law, to purchase am
In the United States. The |
lilies have the advantage of being
lble to control the seas 1t is unfor-
innate that partisan supporters of
Germany should have overlooked the
egal requirements of the situation,
md thus misunderstood the position
# the administration. The admins
rations position has not only been
leutral, but 1t could not have been
without a palpable and in
violation of the rules gov
rning neutrality. This government
5 not at liberty to change materially
he rules of international law during
he war, because every change sug-
ested is discussed, not upon its mer-
IS, but according to the effect it will