Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-06-17

OSGA 0NNCRtCu ny LAG AAGSiUEuts FHBs
BRYAN felt II would be indicate to
attend the session unless his presence
was desired by the President. When
Mr.. Wilson telephoned an Invitation,
the secretary hurried to the White
House. his face somewhat drawn and
pale. When the cabinet adjourned
shortly after o'clock. Mr.. Bryan en-.
tertained seven Of his colleagues, ail
who could attend, ut luncheon at the
university club. The luncheon was In
the nature Of farewell.
That there had been friction be-
tween the President and Mr.. Bryan
has been the undercurrent OF comment
for several weeks. but - tho Presi
dent heretofore had always been able
to secure the acauissccncs Of the
secretary In his point OF view, talk Of
resignation was discounted generally,
II came to light that the position Of
Mr. Bryan In the cabinet recently has
become very embarrassing his adyo-
cacy OF peace being so pronounced that
other members OF the cabinet. who felt
that the United States should assert
itself, irrespective OF the consc.
Quences, were understood to have on
one occasion declared their Intention
OF resIgning II policy OF firmness and
vigor were not adopted
Disagreement on May f3.
The real disagreement dates back to
the famous session OF the cabinet
when the note OF May Is. following
the sinking OF the Lusitania was draft.
cd, informing Germany that the United
States would not omit ANY word or
any act" to protect its rights. At
that time Mr.. Bryan made speech
counseling peaceful measures and cau
tious action. He gave his consent to
signing the note only after Il Was ten.
tatively arranged that statement at
the White House should be issued and
transmitted to the German govern.
ment, announcing that inasmech az
Germany had accepted the principle OF
the peace treaties negotiated between
the United States and other countries,
differences between the two nations
might be adjusted by commission
| OF investigation. Opposition to this
| course was most vehement In some
cabinet quarters. and the President,
after having considered at length Mr.
Bryan:s suggestion, finally disapproved
| Ii at the hour the note was sent.
/ Some cabinet officers argued that such
/ an appendix to the note OF May Is
| would be construed abroad as q weak.
| ening OF the American posittox. and
| their counsel prevailed
| Since then the official relations oil
Mr.. Bryan with the President and
the other cabinet officers have beer
somewhat strained, although the clos
| est personal FRIENDSHIP, has been main
! tanned Oficials of the administra
ton were unanimous In their expires
/ sions OF personal regret Secretary
/ Tumulty issued statement to thai
effect, and the President reflected the
same sentiment In his letter. Admira
ton and praise for the conrageou,
manner In which Mr. Bryan had Tough,
for and held to his convictions were
/ expressed by officials on every side
including those who had been most
vigorous In their opposition to hii
| policies.
| The strong personal attachment OF
the President and Mr. Bryan has Ions
been noticeable In their every day con
ferences. Even as they met in the
cabinet room for the last time theii
! greeting was ono of affection and re
gard.
1t became known recently that twice
before In the two years and three
months of his term Mr.. Bryan had of
fered to resign so az to save the preei
dent from embarrassment, and each
time the President refused to accept
| his resignation.