Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-12
Text Of Bryan's Statement


him Is as to method, not as to purpose
and my utterances since resigning have
been intended to crystalize public SEN
timent in support Of his efforts to main
tain peace, or, to use q familiar phrase
Peace with honor But remember
that when use the phrase, Peace with
honor I do not use 1t in the same sense
that those do who regard every opo-
nent Of war as favoring peace at any
price Peace at any price is cpl
tibet not q true statement OF anyone's
position or Of the policy of any group.
The words are employed by jingoes as
an expression Of contempt and are ap-
piled indiscriminately to all who have
faith in the nations ability to find a
peaceful way out Of every difficulty, so
long as both nations want peace. The
laramists Of the country have had con-
troll Of the metropolitan press and they
have loudly proclaimed that the pro-
longation Of negotiations or the sugges-
ton Of Of international investigation
would be q sign Of weakness-and ev-
erything is weakness that does not
contain a hint Of war. The lingo sees
in the rainbow Of promise only one col
or, red.
Duty to Aid for Peace
, Second: knowing that the President
desires peace. 1t Is your duty to help
him secure 1t, and how? BY exerting
your influence to convince the German
government Of this fact and to persuade
that government to take no steps that
would lead in the direction of war. My
fear has been that the German govern
ment might, despairing of friendly set
Element, break Off diplomatic relations
and thus create condition out Of which
war might come without the intention of
either country. l do not ask you to min
imize the earnestness of the Presidents
statement-that would be unfair both to
him and to Germany. The sinking Of
the Lusitania cannot be defended upon
the facts as we understand them. The
killing of innocent women and children
cannot be justified, whether the killing
is by drowning or starving; no nation
can successfully plead the inhumanity of
her enemies as an excuse for inhumanity
on her own part. While it is true that
cruelty is apt to beget cruelty, it cannot
war we are not absolved from the obli-
cation to remedy evils by the influence
Of a good example. Let your lights so
shine is a precept that knows not times
nor seasons as it knows neither latitude
nor longitude.
Do Not Confuse Issues
Third: Do not attempt to connect the
negotiations which are going on be-
tween the United States and Germany
with those between the United States and
Great Britain. The cases are different,
but even If they were the same it would
be necessary to treat with each nation
separately. My personal preference has
been to repeat our insistence that the
Allies shall not interfere with our COM
merce with neutral countries. but the
differences on point was a matter Of
In the note to Great Britain dated
March Soth this government said:
:" In view of these assurances for
mally given to this government, it is con-
f1dently expected that the extensive pow
ers conferred by the Order-in-Councn on
the executive officers Of the crown will
be restricted by orders issued by the
government directing the exercise Of
their discretionary powers in such q man
ner as to modify in practical application
those provisions of the order in council
which, IL strictly enforced. would vio-
late neutral rights and interrupt legiti-
mate trade. Relying on the faithful per-
Torrance Of those voluntary assurances
by His Majesty's government. the Unit
ed States takes it for granted that the
approach Of American merchantmen to
neutral ports situated upon the long line
Of coast affected by the order in council
will not be interfered with when It is
known that they do not carry goods
which are contraband Of war or goods
destined to or proceeding from ports
within the belligerent territory affected.
U. s. Will Insist
There is no doubt that our government
will insist upon this position: that Is an
important thing, the exact date of the
note Is not material. Ny reason for de-
string to have the matter presented to
many had any right to ask 1t, but be-
cause was anxious to make it as easy
as possible for Germany to accept the
demands Of the United States and cease
to employ submarines against merchant
men. There Il no reason why any Ger
man-American should doubt the Presi-
dents intentions in this matter. am
sure that everyone, upon reflection, rec
ognizes that our duty to prevent loss Of
life n moro urKent than our duty TO pre-
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