New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-09

IL was learned tonight that since
the Cabinet meeting OF last Friday Sec
retary Bryan has repeatedly offered his
resignation. He felt that his useful
ness in the Office of Secretary of State
was ended. The President. however.
hoped to convert him.
The resignation thus came this after
noon like bolt out Of a clear sky.
Mr.. Bryan's resignation has cleared
the atmosphere in the German situa-
ton considerably, and his retirement
from the Cabinet means that the ag-
gressive, or war" part, of which Sec-
retary Of War Garrison is the head, is
now in the saddle.
The differences between Secretary
Bryan and the President began over
the wording of the Presidents first
note to Germany, following the sink
ing Of the Lusitania. Secretary BRYAN
was opposed to any step that might
lead the United States to war. On the
other hand, President Wilson insisted
that vigorous and uncompromising
attitude had to be taken by this coun-
try. Secretary Bryan signed this note
reluctantly, after securing the insertion.
in il Of single paragraph which he
himself had prepared At the Cabinet
meeting at which this note wss ap-
proved. Secretary Bryan, In a speech,
advocated a moderate course, suggest
ings arbitration as the ultimate solu-
ton of the differences between this
country and Germany.
Works for Modera ..
When the German reply to the Presi-
dents note was received, Secretary
Bryan again tried to use his influence
for a moderate policy. He had signed
half of the United States, he sale.
which would have prevented hostlities
for at least year, and that while no
such treaty existed between the United
States and Germany, the latter govern
ment had accepted such treaty in
principle. Mr.. Bryan's contention was
that a rejection of any offer to srbi-
trate the Lusitania affair would
itself be reputation of the treaties
he had negotiated on behalf Of the
United States.
President Wilson could rot look on
the loss Of women and children on the
Lusitania as q thing to be arbitrated.
Backed by Secretaries Garrison and
Lane, he insisted that the fundamental
principle Of the sanctity of human life
was a thing that did not admit Of any
argument, and that unless Germany
recognized this principle il was useless
for the United States 70 maintain
friendly relations with her.
The two men began to drift apart.
Slowly. but steadily. the distance grew
until about week ago Secretary Bryan
discovered that he no longer had the
confidence OF his Chief.
Secretary Bryan did not 20 to to-
days Cabinet meeting until an hour
after his fellow members got together.
This was at noon. Only a short while
before he had sent his resignation to
the President. When Mr.. Bryan en-.
tered the Cabinet meeting he found
the President and the nine other men,
bers Of the Cabinet arrayed against
him, so far ss the note was concerned.
He realized that his usefulness wee
ended, and he at once insisted upon
the acceptance Of his resignation. kr.
Bryan's resignation will take effect -
soon as the Presidents second note 10
sent TO Germany.
One of the things responsible for the
break between Secretary Bryan and his
Chief was the preparation OF n note 70
Great Britain following the Presidents
first note to Germany on the Lusltaaia
disaster. Mr.. Bryan had this note pre-
pared in his own Office.
This was ? rather sharp document