New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-09
BrvQn'S Act Discussed
in Editorial Comment
Effect Former Secretary's Attitude VIII f1aVe Oil
Present Crises with Germany and
Mexico Reviewed.
1.-THE World"

"The World"
"Mr. Bryan's resignation at TINS time
and in these circumstances is a sorry
service to his country.
an his letter TO the President the
Secretary of State declares that Ito re.
main a member of the Cabinet would
he as unfair TO you as it would be TO
the cause which is nearest my hearu.
namely. the prevention OF war we
cannot believe that this cause is nearer
TO William j. Bryan's heart than II Is
70 Woodrow Wilson's heart; but even
II il we're. Mr.. Bryan has done the one
thing in his power most likely to brlhR
about war between the United states
Americans understand Mr.. Bryan's
nassionate and often quixotic devotion
10 his ideals; but this is not how MS
resignation will impress the German
government. Germany does not know
him as America knows him. !.
at knows him only as Secretary OF
State. an Office corresponding TO that
held bv Herr Won Jagow in Berlin and
Sir Edward Grey in London.
at will see in his resignation a
divided government and its equivalent.
a divided people, which is the one thing
for which German diplomacy has been
striving in the United States since the
beginning of the war.
sThe n ,te to Germany has not been
made public, so we do not know the
provisions that so affronted Mr.. Bryan's
nrinciples that he could no longer re-
main in the Cabinet. But this we
know: At the Cabinet meeting which
discussed the original draft OF the
Tusitania note of May Is every eventu-
alitv was carefully considered: Inc
unsatisfactory nature of the German
renlv was foreseen. The American
answer was foreseen. The possible
suspension of diplomatic relations was
foreseen. After the discussion had
ended Mr.. Bryan accepted the Judgment
Of the President as his judgment ana
the verdict of the Cabinet as MS YER
diet,
If he could not conscientiously sup
nort the administration policy IN re-
spect 10 German submarine warfare,
the time TO have discovered II was
then. The time to have resigned was
then. To wait until he had signed his
name 10 the first note, TO wait until
Germanys reply had been received. TO
wait until the Presidents inevitable
answer had been formulated. and then
resign that is to subject his govern
ment and his country to an embarrass-
ment for which there is neither excuse
nor extenuation, however noble MI.
Bryan's ideals may be and however
sensitive his conscience may be IN re-
spect to these ideals.
"Mr. Bryan's resignation, however
unfortunate. cannot change the atti-
tude of the country toward the Presl-
dent. Rather it will mobilize public
sentiment still more strongly behind
Mr.. Wilson, realizing as every citizen
must realize that the President IN this
crisis has greater need than ever OF
emphatic popular support. Mr.. Wilson
has put his hand to the plough and he
cannot turn back until he reaches the
end OF the furrow."
'The SUM-"
an almost any other circumstances
the country would have rejoiced to
hear that Mr.. Bryan had given up
a place for which his fantastic unfit
ness has long been but too apparent.
He has chosen TO make his leaving
as unpleasant as his staying. lie
deserts the President at moment OF
grave international complication. He
deliberately does all that lies in his
rover TO create prejudice against
the note to be sent to Germany to-
day, note whose contents are still
unknown to the public. His remark
ably tender sense of duty makes him
forget that ne owes duty to the
United States
Instead. and here is the injury that
he can do. by creating semblance
of divided counsels in the Cabinet.
where he stands alone. he gives aid and
comfort to the opponents in Germany
and here of the firm assertion of the
rights of Americans upon the seas.
Germany, not knowing him as his
countrymen do. may be encouraged in
the Illusion that majority Of Ameri
cans will not hold up the hands of
Woodrow Wilson TO every issue.
Germany could make no greater
error
What political designs are behind
Mr.. Bryan's conduct or want Of con-
duct may be guessed. The
tents of Chautauqua are already flap
ping in the wind. A career of itinerant
rhetoric and Cave of Adullam politics
invites him.
Though Mr.. Bryans resignation
strengthens the Cabinet, il will be long
before Americans forgive the man who
sulked and ran away when honor and
patriotism should have kept him at his
post"
THE Herald"
"The very fact of Mr.. Brysn's resig-
nation as Secretary of State tells the
whole story of the momentous news.
Every man. woman and child in the
country can understand. President
Wilson intends TO pursue his course
made obligatory by the note of Feb
ruary and imperative by his note of
May IS. Be the consequences what
they may, this country will insist upon
the demands made upon Germany re-
garding its submarine warfare.
"A terrific struggle has been in prog
ress in Washington. How the Presi-
dent has been tried in the last few days
probably never will be known, but he
has pursued his course with the con-
sciousness that the entire American
people was behind him.
ut is well to give Mr.. Bryan the
credit for his convictions. But his
convictions are all wrong. His retire
ment should be heartily welcomed b.
the country. When war became in
evitable between Great Britain and
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