Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-12
BRYANMAKESPLEA
TO j. S. CITIZENS
Of GERMAN BIRTH
Asks Their Influence in Di-
recting Berlin Govern
ment Away From War.
WANTS NO HASTY ACTION
THAT MAY CAUSE BREAK
Urges Them to Forget Any Sus-
picion of Lack of Neutrality
on Part of President.
HE IS UNJusTLY CRITICIZED
Statement Ends for Present Efforts
t" Explain Reasons for Former
Premier's Leaving Cabinet.

- tuDlIlet.
"ASH1NGTON. June ll-Willian m
Jennings Bryan tonight issued an ap-
peal addressed ITO the C;erman-Amcri-
cans urging them TO assist in main
tanning peace between the United
States and the Fathcrland by exertinE
their Influence with the German gov
crnment to persuade II not 10 take
any steps that would lead in the direc-
ton OF war
with this statement MIR Bryan cx-
poets 10 end FOR the present his efforts
TO lay before tho public the situation
which caused him to resign Nhe port
folio OF Secretary OF state On We'd.
ncsday he gave out an explanation of
why he left tho Cabinc, rather than
s.gn the last American note TO Ger
many regarding submarine warfare:
Yesterday he issued an appeal ITO the
American people" 20 stand for persua
sion rather than for force in asserting
rights under international law. and
today he made a brief statement ex-
pressing qualification AT what he
termed change Of tone on tho part
Of the, ''jingo editors" regarding the
note 10 Germany
EXPRESSES PATRIOTISM
IN FELLOW -CITIZENS
Eeferrinc TO COMMUNICATIONS as
fellow citizens. in whose patriotism
have entire confidence" Mr. Bryan. be-
sides asking them 10 use their !nnu-
cnce with the German government.
urged:
That they forget. never to he re-
called. any suspicion OF lack Of neu-
trality or friendship toward the Ger
man people the part OF the Presi-
dent Of the United States
That they should not attempt to con
meet negotiations between the United
States and Germany with those be-
teen the United States and Great
Britain, because ";he cascs are diff
ferent."
That Germany should acquisscc N
demands tha, have been made by the
United States without condition. trust
ing tho United states TO deal Justly
with her in the consideration Of any
changes she may propose in the inter
national rules that govern the taking
OF prizes" growing out of submarine
warfare.
Mr Bryan declared President wilson
had been unjus,iy criticized by parti-
sans OF both sides in tho European con-
nct expressed confidence that Ger
man Americans would stand by their
adopted country in case Of war between
the United States and Germany: main
tanned the killing Of innocent women
and children, either by drowning or
starving. could not be justified. and
suggested change in the shipping
laws 10 exclude passengers from ships
carrying contraband or ammunition.
As AMERICAN SPEAKING
TO FELLOW-CITIZENS
',To the Germa Americans:
Permit me TO address "A word TO YOU
as one American citizen speaking to
fellow citizens in whose patriotism he
has entire confidence. 1t is natural
that in contest between your Father
land and other European nations. your
sympathies should be with the country
of your birth II is no cause for CEN
sure that this is true: il would be n
reflection upon you if it were not true.
Do not the sons of Great Britain SYM
pa,hize with their mother country?
DO not the sons of France sympa arhize
with theirs? Is not the same true of
Russia and OF Italy? Why should il
not be true OF those who are born in
Germany or Austria? The trouble is
that the extremists on both sides have
mistaken natural attachment felt for
birthplace for disloyalty to this
country.
The President has been unjustly
criticized BY the partisans of both sides
the very best evidence of his neu-
-,trality. If he had so conducted the
government as to wholly please either
side. II would excite not only astonish-
ment. but misgivngs. for partisans
cannot give unbiased Judgment;
they will Of necessity look at the Ques-
tion from their own point of view
giving praise or blame according as
the act. regardless of its real character,
helps or hurts the side with which
they have aligned themselves.
MIsUNDERsTAND POSITION
OF ADMINISTER ALTON
The fact that the adminiStra ton has
received more criticism from German
Americans than from those i'm sympa-
thy with the allies is due to the fact
that while both sides are at liberty.
under international law, to purchase
ammunition in the Unified States. the
allies, because of their control of the
seas. have the advantage of being able
10 export it. 1t is unfortunate that
partisan supporters of Germany should
have overlooked the legal requirements
of the situation, and thus misunder-
stool the position of the administra-
tion. The administrations position has
not only been perfectly neutral. but 1t
could not have been otherwise without
n palpable and intentional violation of
the rules governing neutrality. This
government is not at liberty to ma