The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-06-11

the possibilities OF the note which
President Wilson has ordered for.
warded to Germany is war. The other
construction was that Secretary Bryan
feared that his acquiescence in the
presidents refusal to discuss the Lu-
sitania facts with the Berlin govern
ment would be a death blow to arbi-
tration principles for which Mr.. Bryan
has contended and which he has en-
bodied in twenty peace treaties with
foreign governments.
While the correspondence between
the president and Mr.. Bryan is marked
with the utmost cordiality on the pres.
ident's part, in fact with manifesto
tions OF deep regret and sorrow, there
was one sentence In Secretary Bryan'a
letter which indicates that he will not
hesitate to use all means at mis- com
mand to prevent rupture with Ger
many. The inference seems to be that
Mr.. Bryan would throw the weight OF
his great personal power against any
such contingency.
Serious Phase Of Resignation.
On the other hand, President Will
son makes it plain that he has accept
ed Secretary Bryans resignation only
because Mr. Bryan has insisted, and
that he expects the cooperation OF
Mr. Bryan in accomplishing not only
this governments present object vita
Germany, but the other policies OF the
administration. These are the presi
dents exact words. We shall con.
tinue TO work for the same causes
even when we do not work in the
same way"
The most serious Phase of the Bryan
resignation. so far as it affects the
German situation. seems to be the
possibility OF dividing the country in
regard to President Wilson's policy.
| The fear expressed in Washington la
that MIR. Bryan's stand will give rise
to n difference OF opinion in regard To
| the presidents note. Such division
will, of course, not only add to Presi
dent Wilson's tribulations, but will
! greatly weaken the strength OF this
| governments representations IN Ger
| many.
| Many of Mr.. Bryan's friends are al
ready busy. Representative Buchanan
OF Illinois has undertaken to line or
ganized labor up against any possible
ity of war with Germany, and other
supporters of Mr. Bryan are at worn
In other directions. OF course, II Ger
many feels that the United States is
divided against itself on this issue
the Berlin authorities will be certain
to adopt a less conciliatory course.
On the other hand, the retirement
! OF Mr.. Bryan Is sure to create pro
found impression in Berlin. Official
reports received here recently have
Indicated that the kaiser's advisers
We're not alive to the seriousness ol
the controversy with the United
States.
The retirement OF Secretary Bryan
viii throw flood of light upon the
determination OF President Wilson
and IL bound to have good effect un
less n feeling against the administra
tons course Immediately asserts 1t
self in this country.
Bryan's Influence.
Bryans retirement was said to bs
due to his overthrow as a force IL
shaping the administrations foreign
policy. Whatever may be said o
President Wilson's disposition to con
duct his administration In his owl
way, Mr.. Bryan's influence has oper
ated powerfully in determining tn.
policy Of this government until re
Gently. MIR, Bryan as an adviser OF
foreign affairs has been supersede,
by Secretary OF War Garrison and Sec
retary OF the Interior Lane. Thes
are the two members OF the cabine
who have from the start asserted III
necessity OF pursuing a vigorous poi
icy not only with regard TO Germany
but in the case of Mexico. They hav
encountered the opposition OF Nj
Bryan from the START. There hay
been many tests of strength In tn
cabinet The president has seemed a
times to oscilate between one grou
! and the other. out with the arising @
the German situation he took nj
I stand firmly ON the side Of those VIII