Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1915-06-18

been accepted by the President. Mr
Bryan felt it would be indelicatc to
attend the session unless his presence
was desired by the President. When
Mr.. Wilson telephoned an invitation,
the secretary hurried to the White
House, his face somewhat drawn and
pale. When the cabinet adjourned
shortly after l O'clock, Mr.. Bryan en-
tertained seven OF his colleagues, oil
who could attend, at luncheon at the
University club. The luncheon was III
the nature Of a farewell
That there had been friction be.
tween the President and Mr. Bryan
has been the undercurrent of comment
for several weeks, but as the Pres-
dent heretofore had always been able
to secure the acquiescence Of the
secretary In his point Of view, talk of
resignation was discounted generally
1t came to light that the position of
Mr.. Bryan in the cabinet recently has
become very embarrassin g-his adyO-
cacy Of peace being so pronounced that
other members Of the cabinet, who felt
that the United States should assert
itself, irrespective Of the c0nse.
quences, were understood to have on
one occasion declared their intention
Of resigniug If policy of firmness and
vigor were not adopted
Disagreement on May 10.
The real disagreement dates back TO
the famous session of the cabinet
when the note of May Is, following
the sinking Of the Lusitania was draft
ed, informing Germany that the United
States would not omit any word or
any act to protect its rights. At
that time Mr. Bryan made a speech
counseling peaceful measures and eau
tious action. He gave his consent to,
signing the note only after it was ten
tatively arranged that q statement at
the White House should be issued aud
transmitted to the German govern
ment, announcing that inasmuch as
Germany had accepted the principle Of
the peace treaties negotiated between
the United States and other countries,
differences between the two naEOns
might be adjusted by q commission
Of Investigation. Opposition to this
course was most vehement in some
cabinet quarters, and the President,
after having considered at length Mr..
Bryan's suggestion, finally disapprOved
it at the hour the note was sent.
Some cabinet officers argued that such
an appendix to the note of May 3
would be construed abroad as weak
ening OF the American position, and
their counsel prevailed.
Since then the official relations Of
Mr.. Bryan with the President and
the other cabinet officers have been
somewhat strained, although the clos
est personal friendship has been main
tanned. Officials OF the administra-
ton were unanimous in their express
sions Of personal regret. Secretary
Tumulty issued a statement to that
effect, and the President reflected the
same sentiment in his letter. Admira.
ton and praise for the courageous
manner in which MIR. Bryan had fought
for and held to his convictions were
expressed by officials on every side
including those who had been most
vigorous in their opposition to his
policies.
The strong personal attachment OF
the President and Mr. Bryan has long
been noticeable in their everyday con
ferences. Even as they met in the
cabinet room for the last time their
greeting was one of affection and re.
gard.
It became known recently that twice
before in the two years and three
months of his term Mr.. Bryan had Of
fered to resign so as to save the Presi-
dent from embarrassment, and each
time the President refused to accept
his resignation.