The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-06-10
DECLINED TO SIGN NOTE TO
GERMANY.
Could Not Reconcile LuSitania Note
to His Peace Policy.-Hands in
Resignation to President.


as a dramatic sequel to his disagree
ment with President Wilson over the
governments policy toward Ger
many.
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
Robert Lansing will sign the docu-
ment and tomorrow it will be cabled
to Berlin.
Secretary Bryan will return to prl-
vate life tomorrow, when his resig-
nation takes effect. 1t was learned
that he intends to continue his polit-
ical support OF the president.
Rather than sign the document
which he believed might possibl!
draw the United States into war, Mr..
Bryan submitted his resignation in
a letter declaring that the issue in
volved is of such moment that to
remain a member of the cabinet
would be as unfair to you as it would
be to the cause which is nearest my
heart, the prevention of war"
The president accepted the resig-
nation in a letter of regret, tinged
with deep personal feeling of affec-
ton. The letters constituting the
official announcement of Mr.. Bryan's
departure from the cabinet to pri-
vate life, were made public at tho
white house at 9 o'clock tonight.
They follow:
Letter of Resignation.
Secretary Bryan's letter Of resigna-
tion was as follows:
My Dear Mr.. President: 1t is
with sincere regret that l have reach
ed the conclusion that / should re-
turn to you the commission of seere-
tary of State, with which you honor
ed me at the beginning of your ad-
ministration.
"Obedient to your sense of duty
and actuated by the highest motives,
you have prepared for transmission
to the German government note in
which l cannot join without ,violat-
ing what | deem to be, an obligation
to my country, and the issue involv-
ed is of such moment that to remain
a member of the cabinet would be as
unfair to you as it would be to the
cause which is nearest my heart,
namely, the prevention of war.
Il, therefore. respectfully tender
my resignation, to take effect when
the note is sent, unless you prefer
an earlier hour. Alike desirous of
reaching a peaceful solution OF the
problems arising out of the use OF
submarines against merchantmen,
we find ourselves differing irrecon-
ciliably as to the methods which
should be employed.
1T falls to your lot to speak Off
cially for the nation: I consider it to
be none the less to be my duty to en-
deavor as private citizen TO pro-
mote the end which YOU have in view
by means which you do not feel at
liberty to use.
In severing the intimate and
pleasant relations which have exist
ed between us during the past two
years, permit me to acknowledge the
profound satisfaction which it has
given me to be- associated with you
in the important work which has
come before the State department,
and to thank you for the courtesies
extended.
with the heartiest good wishes
for your personal welfare and for the
success of your administration, am,
nv dear Mr.. President,
"(signed) w. J. BRYAN"
The presidents letter to Mr.. Bry-
an was as follows:
Presidents Acceptance.
My Dear Mr.. Bryan: l accept
your resignation only because you
insist upon it's acceptance; and ac-
cept it with much more than deep
regret, with feeling of personal sor-
row. Our two years of close associa-
ton have been very delightful to me.
Our judgments have accorded in prac-
tically every matter Of official duty
and of public policy until now; your
support of the work and purposes OF
the administration has been generous
and loyal beyond praise; your devo-
ton to the duties of your great office
and your eagerness to take advan-
tage of every great opportunity for