The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-06-11
SHOULD STAY OFF
BELLICERENT Ships
AMERICANS SHOULD BE WARNED
TO KEEP OFF.
Former Secretary William J. Bryan
Gives Out Statement On His
Position.

Washington, June 9.-Just as the
American note to Germany was start
ed on its way over the telegraph wires,
Mr.. Bryan, at his home, gave out a
statement on his position.
Secretary Bryan's statement con-
tends the difficulties between Germany
and the United States should be in
vestigated by an international COM
mittee and that Americans should be
warned to keep off belligerent ships
Or those carrying ammunition through
the danger zone.
At the White House Secretary Tu-
multy stated positively that no COM
ment would be made on Mr.. Bryan's
statement.
The statement of Secretary Bryan
follows:
"My reason for resigning is clearly
stated in my letter of resignation,
namely, that l may employ as pri-
vate citizen the means which the
president does not feel at liberty to
employ. l honor him for doing what
ne believes to be right, and 1 am sure
that he desires, as l do, to find a
peaceful solution OF the problem which
has been created by the action Of the
submarines.
1.-TWO of the points on which we diff
fer, each conscientious in convictions,
are, first, as to the suggestion of in
Yestigation by an international COM
mission, and, second as to warning
americans against travelling on belli-
gerent vessels or with cargoes of am
munition. I believe that 1.is nation
should frankly state to Germany thai
We are willing to apply in this case
the principle which we are bound by
treaty to apply to disputes between
the United States an the 80 countries
with which we hive made treaties pro-
viding for investigation all disputes
of every character and nature. These
treaties, negotiated under this admin
istration, make war practically i'm
possible between bais country and
these 80 governments, representing
nearly three-fourths of all the people
of the world.
Among the nations with which we
have hese-t1eaties are Great Britain,
France and Russia. No matter what
disputes may arise betw cen us and
these treaty nations, we agree that
there shall be no declaration and no
commencement of I1ostilities until the
matters in dispute have been investi-
gated by an international commission
and a years time is allowed for in
vestigation and report. This plan was
offered to all the nations without any
exceptions whatever, and Germany
was one of the nations that accepted
the principle, being the 18th, think,
to accept. No treaty was actually en-
tered into with Germany, but I can
not see that that should stand in the
way WREN both nations endorsed t1e
principle. I do not know whether
Germany would accept the offer, but
our country should, in my judgment,
make the offer.
"sucA an offer, if accepted, would
at once relieve the tension and 81
lence all the jingoes who are demand
ing war Germany has always been
a friendly nation and a great manv
of our people are Of German ances-
try. Why should we not deal with
Germany according to this plan to
wAich TIE nation has pledged its sup
port?
Citizen to Involve Nation.
"The second point Of difference is
as to the course which should be
pursued in regard to Americans trav-
cling on belligerent ships or with
cargoes of ammunition.
f'Why should al American citizen
be permitted to involve his country
in war by travelling upon a belliger-
ent ship when he knows that tie ship
will pass through danger zone? The
question is not whether an American
citizen has right under internation-
al law, to travel on belligerent ship;
the question is whether he ougtt not,
out Of consideration for his country,
if not for his own safety, avoid dan
oror yI.bop ovoiSopco ic Doccih1a