The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-06-09
SECRATARY BRYAN
HAS RESIGNED
FROM CABINET
2 S.
Disagreed With President WlISu"
Over Note to Germany
ISACCEpTED WITH REGRt 7
ssEst
Head of State Department Did Not
Wish to Sign Document Which
Might Mean War.
IsAcCEPTED WITH REGRtT

Washington, June 9.-Secretary Of
State William Jennings Bryan yester-
day resigned from the cabinet and
his resignation was accepted by Pres
ident Wilson. Mr. Bryan's action
was due to a difference of opinion
with the president over the note
soon to be sent to Germany in rela-
tion to the destruction of American
lives by submarine attacks.
The president, strongly supported
by the rest of the cabinet, hold to a
firm insistence upon the rights of
neutrals and strict accountability for
their violation Mr.. Bryan favored
arbitration of the questions at issue
with Germany.
President Wilson in accepting the
resignation wrote warm words of
praise for the retiring secretary, who
it is intimated will continue i'll his
political support of president
The disagreement dates back to
the first note to Germany following
the sinking of the Lusitania, in which
it was said that the United States
would not omit "any word or any
act" to protect the rights of its citi-
zens. Mr.. Bryan held that, inasmuch
as Germany had accepted the princi-
pie of the United States peace treat
les, differences between the two coun-
tries might be adjusted by a commits
sion of investigation. 1t is reported
that he signed the note only on the
condition that statement should be
sent from the White House to the
German government covering this
ground.
This course met with violent op-
position in the cabinet it is reported,
and the president finally disapproyed
of it, t'ii- tftY
The belief is general at Washing
ton that Counselor Lansing will be
appointed secretary of the state ad
interim. He is said to be in entire
accord with the presidents views on
the nations foreign policy.
secretary's Letter of Resignation
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 yon
honored me at the beginning OF your
administration.
Obedient to your sense of duty and
actuated by the highest motives, you
have prepared for transmission to
the German government note in
which | cannot join without violating
what ] deem to be an obligation to
my country, and the issue Involved is
of such moment that to remain a
member of the cabinet would be as
unfair to you as it would be to the
cause which is nearest my heart
namely, the prevention of war.
therefore, respectfully tender my
resignation, to take effect when the
note is sent, unles you prefer an
earlier hour Alike desirous of reach
ing a peaceful solution of the prob
lens arising out of the use of sub
marines against merchantmen, we
find ourselves differing irreconcilably
as TO the methods which should be
employed
1t falls to your lot to speak official
ly 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 means
which you do not feel at liberty to
use.
In severing the intimate and pleas
ant relations which have existed
between us during the past two years
permit me to acknowledge the pro.
found satisfaction which ii has given
me to be associated with you in the
important work which has come be-
fore the state department, and to
thank you for the eourtesies extend
ed.
With the heartiest good wishes for
your personal welfare and for the
success of your administration, | am
my dear President,
Very truly yours,
w. ]. Bryan
Washington, June s, 1915.
President Wilson to Secretary Bryan
My dear Mr.. Bryan
accept your resignation only be
cause you insist upon its acceptance;
and accept it with much more than
deep regret, with a feeling of person
al sorrow. Our two years of close as
sociation have been very delightful