The Washington herald., 1915-06-09
The Break IN the Cabinet.

The Secretary of State has resigned from
President Wilson's Cabinet because no other
course open to him. hence it cannot be
said, it might if he had retired two months ago,
that he has done his greatest service to his
try For once a break in Cabinet occurs and the
world is told why the instant, in clear cut Eng
lish. 1t is because the President of the United
States, with the approval of every member of his
Cabinet but one, has determined to uphold the
nations honor with the whole force at his COM
mand, while that one-the who has sat at the
head of the council table-has adopted as his own
separate policy that of peace at any price. The
fact stands out clearly that Mr.. Wilson and Mr..
Bryan realized that there but one remedy for
the situation and it little matters who took the
initiative. There is suggestion in Mr.. Bryan's
letter OF resignation however, of reluctance to
quit and it appears to breathe the faintest
hope that the President would yield that Mr.
Bryan might remain Loftly proclaiming that
he is unable to join in the transmission of the
note to Germany, he tenders his resignation ito
take effect when the note is sent unless YOU pre-
fer earlier hour And the very prompt ac-
ceptance by the President might be regarded as
encouraging the impression that he would prefer
earlier hour. These details, however
which, while interesting unmportant
As for the effect of Mr.. Bryan's resignation
let any misgivings to the impression it will
in Berlin be thrust aside. By no process
OF reasoning can the Berlin government find
comfort in the event. The President and nine
members of his Cabinet stand firmly for a policy
that demands that the rights of the nation shall
be respected by the world and that its honor
shall be kept unsullicd. The tenth member stands
isolated for apology and Cancellation and takes
leave OF the administration as the people applaud
For by this time Germany must know that the
American people giving their President their
whole hearted support and are prepared to make
any sacrifice that may be demanded of them to the
end that American tradition shall not be furnished
but shall shine with luster. That is the mes
OF no misinterpretation.
1t is not inconccvablc that many thoughtful
persons will find today another question which
they will regard OF greater importance than the
effect OF Mr. Bryan's resignation in Germany
And this question is what its effect will be on
tho campaign OF President Wilson for re-
election Will Mr.. Bryan seek to wrest the
nomination from him. He writes in his letter of
resignation: at falls your lot to speak ofici-
ally for the nation; | consider it to be none the
less my duty to endcavor private citizen to
promote the end which you have in view by means
which you do not feel at liberty to use"
Quite likely this refers merely to course of
Chautauqua lectures the blessings of peace at
any price. Even Mr.. Bryan must realize that a
campaign for nomination election to any public
office with that even minor issue would be to
invite ridicule. But, out of the Cabinet and a
private citizen again with the national convention
year off, will the perpetual candidate be able to
bride his ambition for once or will he go about
his old, hopeless quest some newly invented is
sue, creating dissension in the ranks Of his party?
To what extent he might succeed in this direction
would depend almost wholly upon the outcome of
the crisis in foreign relations. With success
achieved by the wise craftsmanship and firm
foreign policy OF President Wilson, Democrats
would be deaf to any words of Mr.. Bryan The
reverse is picture the country is not called upon
to contemplate matter what might be its in
fuence upon the fortunes OF the former Secretary
of State. Nevertheless. Bryan at large is fac
tor for the Democracy to reckon with His rcsig-
nation is an incident OF little consequence as re-
lated to differences with Germany.