Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-10
GOES TO COUNTRY
FOR ITS JUDGMENT
ON HIS ATTITUDE
Washington Re-
ceives His Statement With
Undisguised Amazement.
NO COMMENT is MADE
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
High Officials Think 1t Most
Unfortunate Just at This
Critical Time.
RETIRING SECRETARY EXPLAINS
First Act as Private Citizen Is to
Tell Why He Left VIII
sons Cabinet.
NO COMMENT is MADE
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
RETIRING SECRETARY EXPLAINS
First Act as Private Citizen Is to
Tell Why He Left VIII
sons Cabinet.


nings Bryan retired to-day as Secre-
tary OF State. His hrst act as a private
citizen was to issue a statement ex
planning his reasons for leaving the
Cabinet. and announcing that he in
tended to lay his view OF what
the American policy toward Germany
should be before the public for judg-
ment.
The statement came as sensational
climax to day OF farewell speeches
and good wishes from President VIII
son and executive collea CUES OF the re-
firing secretary.
In his explanation Mr. Bryan re-
vealed that the President had not felt
justified in adopting two suggestions
made by his Secretary of State-that an
offer should be made to Germany to
submit the questions in dispute with
the United States to international
commission for investigation during q
years time, and that, meanwhile.
Americans should by proclamation be
warned not to take passage on any
belligerent ships or on American ves-
sells carrying ammunition. These propo-
sitions Mr.. Bryan expects to urge upon
the people "in hope of seeing such an
expression of public sentiment as will
support the President In employing
these remedies II in the future he finds
1t consistent with his sense Of duty to
favor them"
BRYAN'S NOTE RECEIVED WITH
UNDISGUISED ABATEMENT
Mr.. Bryan's statement was received
with undisguised amazement in official
quarters. No comment was made at
the White House. but some high Of
HNia a1o i,,rli tai
most unfortunate that so profound an
expression of opinion should be made
public while the discussion with Ger
many was in progress 1t became
known. too. that Mr.. Bryan told his
colleagues in general way Of the con-
tents Of his statement. and some had
advised against it,
The principle advocated by Mr..
Bryan is embodied in treaties of peace
negotiated by the United States with
thirty nations. and was accepted by
Germany, although no treaty was ever
drafted. The statement Is a condensa-
tion OF the argument which Secretary
Bryan has been making repeatedly to
President Wilson in the last few weeks.
and upon which he hopes to build up
public sentiment In the United States
that will make war with Germany i'm
possible.
TELLS WHY HE COULD NOT
CONTINUE IN CABINET'
The text of the statement follows:
My reason for resigning is clearly
stated in my letter of resignation,
namely, that may employ. a. n private
citizen, the means which the President
does not feel at liberty to employ
honor him for doing what he believes
to be right. and I am sure that he
desires. IS do. to find a peaceful solu-
tion OF the problem which has been
created by the action of the subma-
rines.
Two OF the points on which we
differ. each conscientious in convic-
ton. are: first. as to the suggestion OF
investigation by an international COM
mission. and. second as to warning
Americans against travelling on beliig-
erent vessels or with cargoes OF am
munition. believe that this nation
should frankly state to Germany that
we are willing to apply in this case
the principle which we are bound by
treaty to apply to disputes between tho
United States and the thirty countries
with which we have made treaties pro-
vtding for investigation OF all disputes
OF every character and nature. These
treaties, negotiated under this admins
tration, makes war practically impos-
sible between this country and these
thirty governments. representing nearly
! three-fourths OF all the people OF the
world.
CONFIDENT THAT OFFER
SHOULD DE MADE To GERMANY
Among the nations with which we
have these treaties are Great Britain,
France and Russia. No matter what
disputes may arise between us and
these treaty nations, we agree that
there shall be no declaration OF war and
no commencement OF hostilities until
the matters in dispute have been In
vestigated by an International commits
sion and a years time is allowed for
Investigation and report. This plan
was offered to all the nations without
any expressions whatever. and Germany
was one OF the nations that accepted
the principle. being the twelfth. think,
to accept. No treaty was actually en-
tered into with Germany. but I cannot
500 that that should stand In tho way