American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-06-10
BRYAN LEAVES
The CABINET
RESIGNATION COMES AS SURPRISE
AND CREATES SENSATION IN
WASHINGTON AND THROUGH
OUT THE UNITED STATES.

Disagreed With the President Over
Character Of Note Sent to Germany
Believing 1t Might Lead to War and
Resigned Rather Than Sign it-Suc-
cessor Not Yet Named.
William Jennings Bryan, three times
Democratic candidate for the presi-
dency Of the United States, and author
of nearly thirty peace treaties with
the principal nations of the world, re-
signed Tuesday as secretary Of state
as a dramatic sequel to his disagree
ment with President Wilson over the
governments policy toward Germany.
The resignation was accepted by
the president. The cabinet then ap-
proved the response which had been
prepared to the German reply to the
Lusitania note Acting Secretary Rob-
ert Lansing signed the document and
1t was cabled to Berlin Wednesday.
Rather than sign the document,
which he believed might possibly draw
the United States into war, Mr.. Bry-
an submitted his resignation in a let
ter declaring that "the issue involved
is of such moment that to remain a
member of the cabinet would be as un-
fair to you as it would be to the cause
which is nearest my heart, namely,
the prevention of war"
The president accepted the resigna-
tion in letter of regret, tinged with
deep personal feeling of affection.
The letters constituting the official
announcement of Mr.. Bryan's depaT-
ture from the cabinet to private life
were made public at the White House
at 6 o'clock Tuesday night
Sensation in Washington
Dramatically the official relation of
Mr.. Bryan with the administration of
the man whose nomination he assist
ed 80 materially in bringing about at
the Baltimore convention of 1912
came to an end. 1t caused a sensa-
ton in the national capital scarcely
paralleled in recent years. Ambas-
sadors, ministers and diplomatists
from foreign lands, officials of every
rauh auu sva,rvu nv~rs s"~ -
a was flashed by newspaper extras
Tuesday night. They interpreted Vari-
ously it's effect on the delicate sltua-
tion that had arisen between Ger
many and the United States. Inc
resignation of the staunchest advo'
cate of peace in the presidents OIL
cial family spread broadcast the De
lief that the policy OF the unite'
States as definitely determined upoi
would assert and defend the rights o
the United States in any evehtuah''
that might pass.
Stay Away From Meeting
Originally it was the lntehtioh
the president and Mr.. Bryan TO nav
the announcement of the resisnauo
made simultaneously with the dis
patch of the note to Germany pu
when Mr.. Bryan did not attend I'd
cabinet meeting Tuesday until fres
dent Wilson sent for him rumors thi
the president had been unable 10 prih
the secretary OF state to his point
view filled the air. Finally, short
before six o'clock the news leaked o.
and was confirmed
Known Sunday.
Inst when the subject was fir
broached between the president al
Mr. BRYAN is not known deflnitel
lint the fact that Mr.. Bryan would T
siyp WAS known to q small circle
officials as early as last Sunday. Wh
the principles upon which the II.
IN Germany should be based were q
cussed at the cabinet meeting OF
day. MIR. Bryan found that ne couio
oncile his own position with u
of the administration. Work on
note went forward, however,
Bryap keeping his secret, as did otl
officials. awaiting the hour when
communication would be ready TO
cabled.
Friction With President
That there had been friction
tween the President and mir. Br'
has been the undercurrent OF c'
ment for several weeks but as
nresident heretofore had always b
able to secure the acquiescence OF
secretary in his point OF view, tall
resignation was discounted genera
II came to light Tuesday that the
sition of Mr. Bryan In the cab
recently has become embarrassiI
his advocacy Of peace being 80
nounced that other members OF
cabinet who felt that the uI
States should assert itself, irresI
i've of the consequence. were un
stood on one occasion to have
clared their intention OF resignir
a policy of firmncss and vigor
not adopted.
First Real Disagreement
The real disagreement dates
to the famous session OF the ca
when the note Of May 13 follovin
sinking of the Lusitania was dr'
informing Germany thaf the U