Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1915-06-10
Secretary of State Cannot Re-
COnCile Peace Views With
US. Action.
RESIGNATION WAS ACCEPTED
Great COmmOner to Continue
Political Support Of PreSi-
dent, He States.

Washington, June 9.-William Jen-
nings Bryan, three times democratic
candidate for the presidency of the
United States and author of nearly
thirty peace treaties with principal
nations of the world, resigned yes
terday as secretary of state, as a
dramatic sequel to his disagreement
with President Wilson over the gov
ernment's policy toward Germany.
The resignation was accepted by
the President. The cabinet then APP
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 it will be cabled to Berlin.
Secretary Bryan will return to pri-
vate life at once. 1t was learned that
he intends to continue his political
support of the President.
Rather than sign the document,
which he believed might possibly
draw the United States into war,
Mr.. Bryan submitted his resignation
in letter declaring that 1.-THE issue
involved 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;"
The President accepted the resig-
nation in letter of regret, tinged
with deep personal feeling of affec-
ton. The letters constituting the
official announcement of Mr.. organs
departure from the cabinet to priv
ate life were made public at the
White House at 6 o'clock last night.
BRYAN'S LETTER.
Secretary Bryan's letter of resig-
nation was as follows:
my Dear Mr.. President;
1T is with sincere regret that |
have reached the conclusion that |
should return to you the commission
of secretary of state with which you
honered me at the beginning of your
administration.
1 r
"Obedient to your sense Of duty
and actuated by the higest motives,
you have prepared for transmission
to the German government note in
which | 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
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"
81, therefore, respectfully tender
my resignation to take effect when
the note is sent, unlessyou prefer an
earlier hour. Alike DESTROYS of reach.
ing a peaceful solution of the prob
lens arising out of the use of sub.
marines against merchantmen, we
find ourselves differing irreconcilla-
bly, as to the methods which should
be employed.
1T falls to your lot to speak ofiici-
ally for the nation; | consider it to
be none the less my duty to endeav-
or as a private citizen to promote the
end which you have in view by means
which you do not feel at liberty to
use.
"In sevring the intimate and pleas
ant relations which have existed be-
tween us during the past two years,
permit me to acknowledge the pro-
found satisfaction which it has given
me to be associated with you in the
important work which has come be-
fore the state department, and to
thank you for the courtesies extend
ed.