Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-09

| ate attention. and stated that he would
| go to the White House before the Cabi-
net adjourned. True to his word. he
did go to the White House at IL o'clock
and remained in tho Cabinet meeting
until 1t adjourned an hour later.
The important business which de-
| tanned Mr.. Bryan was the writing of his
| letter of resignation. But there was
another reason, Indicative Of Mr..
| Bryan's fine sense of propriety. He
had sent to the Cabinet meeting a draft
! Of the note which he believed was the
wise to adopt. He desired that the
| President and the Cabinet should have
an opportunity to discuss his draft
| freely, unembarrassed by his presence.
/ Accordingly, during the first hour Of
the Cabinet session, Mr.. Bryan re-
| manned in his Office and penned the
letter Of resignation to be offered only
in the event that the President and
| his colleagues in the Cabinet finally de-
| cided to take diplomatic course which
| he could not indorse.
When he did enter the Cabinet meet
! Ing he found that the Presidents mind
had been made up. and that he was
supported in his decision by all the
members of his Cabinet except Mr..
| Bryan.
REALIZES USELESSSESS
| OF FURTHER APPEAL
Mr.. Bryan is understood to have said
that he realized the uselessness of
view. and then he announced quietly.
but dramatically. that. as he could not
in good conscience sign the note which
had been decided upon, he believed
! there was no other proper course open
to him except to offer his resignation.
. Thereupon he handed his letter of res
| ignation to the President
Not until the President had prepared
his reply and the correspondence was
ready to be handed out was the infor-
nation of Mr. Bryans resignation given
circulation.
Precisely at five minutes of o'clock
when the exchange of notes between
Mr.. Bryan and the President was made
public at the White House, Secretary
Bryan emerged from the side door OF
his office and walked down the corri-
dor OF the State Department to Coun-
selor Lansngs office After a few min
utes conversation with the man who Is
to be his temporary. If not his per-
manent successor, as premier in the adj
ministration. Mr.. Bryan came out OF
the counselor's office and walked slow
ly and meditatively down the stairway
to the street. where his carriage was
| waiting.
Usually when Mr.. Bryan leaves his
office in the afternoon he is accom-
panied by one or more Of his friends.
NO matter what mental strain the
stress Of affairs put upon him during
the day. almost invariably he has been
In cheerful mood upon leaving the de-
partment. 1t seemed to those who have
observed him that IL was mental
habit with him to throw off the cares
of the day when leaving his office.
APPARENTLY oBLIvIoUs
TO HIS SURROUNDINGS
But when he went away to-day for
the last time he wore look OF gravity
which amounted almost to gloom. His
mead was bowed and he appeared to be
in such deep concentration Of mind as
TO be absolutely oblivious TO his sur
roundings He smiled when he saw
Mrs. Bryan awaiting in the carriage,
but as he settled down in his seat his
countenance again became sombre. And
as they drove away Mr.. Bryan appar-
entity was again lost in his own refiec-
lions.
The most important members of the
Cabinet left the city shortly after the
cabinet meeting. Doubtless they de-
sired TO be freed from the importuni-
ties for expression of opinion on Mr.
Bryans resignation and the causes
which led UP to II. AT his home, Sec
rotary Garrison was reported to have
gone either 10 Atlantic City or New
YORK. Secretary Lane was said by his
lamiiS TO have taken late afternoon
train for New York. Postmaster-Gen-
eral Burleson and Attorney
Gregory made hurried arrangements
FOR fishing trip on Chesapeake Bay.
When seen aboard the river steamer
just before il departed. Postmaster
General Burleson said:
| Il do not feel that ] ought to dis
cuss the resignation of the Secretary
| of State except to say this:
| Il am sincerely sorry that Mr.. Bryan
felt impelled TO take the action he has
| taken"
Attorney General Gregory said:
My view accords with that OF Post
| master-General Burleson. prefer not
| to discuss the matter further"
The Postmaster-General was clad in
| a khaki suit. and was with a con-
genial party In A stateroom when SEEN
Accompanying him and the Attorney
| General on the fishing trip are Otto
Praeger. postmaster Of Washington,
and Thomas j. Pence. publicity director
of the National Democratic Commit
tee.
LANSING REFUSES
| TO MAKE COMMENT
simultaneously with the giving out
of the note of resignation the Presi-
/ dent announced that Robert Lansing
would be the acting Secretary of State.
Mr.. Lansing WAS seen at his home
tonight. but refused to comment upon
Mr.. Bryan's resignation. except to say
| that the main reason was as stated in
Mr.. Bryans own letter. L
However, it was admitted generally
by State Department officials to-day
that Mr.. Bryan had prepared note
| OF protest to Great Britain which he
insisted should be sent to Great Britain
| Simultaneously with the forwarding of
the German note. 1t has been Mr.
| Bryan's opinion that unless this were
done, the administration would court
criticism of partially toward Great
| Britain. He has not been able to per-
| suade the President and his colleagues