Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-09
nearest my heart, namely, the
prevention of war"
Continued from Page one.)

As~SAA ~0S Any AsS&sA -
prevention of war"
President Accepts
The President accepted the resigna-
ton in a letter of regret, tinged with
deem personal feeling Of affection. The
letters constituting the Official an
nouncement Of Mr.. Bryan's departure
from the cabinet to private life were
made public at the White House early
tonight.
| Dramatically the Official relation OF
| Mr.. Bryan with the administration OF
the man whose nomination he assisted
materially in bringing about at the
Baltimore convention Of 1912, came to
an end
Sensation at Capital
!! 1t caused a sensation in the nation
al capital, scarcely paralleled in recent
years. Ambassadors, ministers. oiplo-
mafists from foreign lands. officials OF
every rank and station, heard the news
as it was flashed by newspaper extras
tonight. They interpreted variously its
effect on the delicate situation that
had arisen between Germany and the
United States. The resignation OF the
staunchest advocate Of peace in the
President official family, spread
broadcast the belief that the policy OF
the United States as definitely deter
mined upon. would assert and defend
the rights OF the United States in any
eventuality that might arise.
Rumors Forced Announcement
Originally it was the intention Of the
President and Mr.. Bryan TO have the
announcement Of the resignation made
simultaneously with the dispatch OF
tie note to Germany. but when Mr.
Bryan did not attend the cabinet meet
ing today until President Wilson sent
for him, rumors that the President had
been unable TO bring the secretary OF
state TO his point Of view filed the air
Finally, shortly before O'Clock, the
news leaked out and was confirmed.
Just when the subject was first
preached between the President and
MIR. Bryan is not known definitely. but
the fact that Mr. Bryan would resign
was known to a small circle of officials
as early as last Sunday. When the prin-
ciples On which the note to Germany
should be based were discussed at the
abinet meeting Of Friday, Mr.. Bry-
an found that he could not reconcile
his own position with that Of the ad-
ministration. Work on the note went
forward, however. Mr.. Bryan keeping
his secret, as did other officials, await
ing the hour when the communication
would be ready to be cabled. Today
the cabinet assembled for final reading
of the note. Mr.. Bryan was absent. He
declined to receive newspaper men or
callers and sent out word that he had
been delayed son account Of important
businss. At the White House, no word
as to the reasons for his failure to ap-
pear at the meeting were given, but
after the cabinet had been discussing
the note for an hour, Mr.. Bryan ar
, rived, telling the newspaper men at
the White House that he regretted be-
ing late.
Presidents Invitation
Later, il was learned tonight that
with the knowledge that his resignation
had already been accepted by the
President, Mr.. Bryan felt it would be
indicate to attend todays session un-
less his presence was desired by the
President When Mr.. Wilson telephored
an invitation. the secretary hurried to
the White House, his face somewhat
drawn and Lale. When the cabinet ad-
journed, shortly after l o'clock Mr.
Bryan entertained seven of his col
leagues all who could attend. at lunch
con at the University Club. The lunch
con was in the nature of a farewell.
Friction Long Suspected
That there had been friction between
the President and Mr.. Bryan has been
the undercurrent of comment for sever
al weeks, but as the President here
tofore had always been able to secure
the acquiencence of the secretary in his
point of view. talk of resignation was
discounted generally. 1t came to light
today that the position of Mr. Bryan in
the cabinet recently has become very
embarrassing-his advocacy Of peace
being so pronounced that other mem
bers of the cabinet who felt that the
United States should assert its policy
irrespective of the consequences were
understood to have on one occasion de-
clared their intention of resigning If a
policy Of firmness and vigor was not
adopted.
The real disagreement dates back to
the famous session Of the cabinet,
when the note Of May 10, following
the sinking of the Lusitania, was
drafted. informing Germany that the
United States would not omit any
| ~ ifS rights