Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1915-06-18
BRYAN QUITS
The CABINET
Differed With President on
Mole to Germany. |
WISHED TO AVOID TROUBLE
Secretary Favored Course Which
Would Not Involve U. S. In Trouble
With Germany - His Resignation
Promptly Accepted.

Promptly Accepted.
Secretary of State Bryan submitted
his resignation to president Wilson
and it was accepted.
Robert Lansing, counsellor OF the
state department, automatically De-
came acting secretary Of state.
1t was stated authoritatively that
Mr.. Bryan's resignation, which had
been under consideration for several
days, was accomplished with the ut
most good feeling between the secre-
tary of state and President Wilson. II
resulted from differences OF opinion
over the note about to be sent to Ger
many.
Officials let it be known that Secre'
tary Bryan determined to leave the
cabinet because OF his desire not to
embarrass the president by his oppo-
sition to the policy of the administra-
ton in the present foreign situation.
While Secretary Bryan's attitude to-
ward the situation which has arisen
between this country and Germany Is
not definitely known, it has been gen.
orally believed that he favored note
of the character which, under no cir
cumstaNces, would involve the United
States in grave complications.
Bryan's Letter of Resignation.
In submitting his resignation, Mr..
Bryan outlined his viewpoint on the
administration policy. The following
is his letter of resignation:
"My Dear Mr.. Wiison-It is with
sincere regret that | have reached the
conclusion that | should return to you
the commission of secretary OF state
with which you honored me at the be-
ginning of your Administrations.
"Obedient to your sense OF duty and
actuated by the highest motives, you
have prepared for TRANSMISSION to the
German government a note III Wnlcn
| cannot join without violating what
| deem to be an obligation to my coun'
trv. and the issues involved is OF sucn
moment that to remain member OF
the cabinet would be as unfair TO you
as it W0u!d be TO the cause which IS
nearest my heart, namely, the pre-
vention OF war.
81, therefore, rcSpef fully tender my
resignation, 10 take eject "HcA the
note is sent, urle.S you prefer an
earlier hour; .r34iEe dcsiT6us ,, fGacI, Grch
ing a Te&ceul solution uf the. r-1-';
lens arising out of tie use OF SUB
marines against merchantmen,. we
find ourselves differing irreconci!ia5ly
as to the methods which should be en-
ployed. ~,
cially for tie nation; | consider it to
be none the less my 'duty to endeayor
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 severing the intimate and pleas.
ant relations which have existed be-
tween us during the past two years,
permit me to acknowledsge 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 cOurtesleS extend
ed.
with the heartiest good wishes for
your personal welfare and for the sue
cess of your administration, | am, my
dear Mr.. President,
"W. ]. BRYAN"
President Wilson's Acceptance.
President Wilson's acceptance Of
the resignation was as follows:
"My Dear Mr.. Bryan-l accept your
resignation only because you insist
upon it's acceptance; and l accept it
with much more than deep regret,
with a feeling OF personal sorrow. Our
two years CT close association have
been very delightful to me. Our judg-
ments have accorded in practically
every matter of official duty and of
public policy until now; your support
mnistration has been generous and
loyal beyond praise; your devotion to
the duties OF your great Office and
your eageraess to take advantage OF
great C,,icrtunity for service it Of
feicl has Eeen an example to the rest
OF us: YOU have earned our affection
at3 admiration and friendship. Even
now we arc not separated in the OBJ.
ject we seek, but only in the method
by which we seek it.
1T is for these reasons my feeling
, about year retirement from the sec
leta:ysliiD of state goes so much
Gce%er !liaD regret. | sincerely de-
plore it. Our objects are the same,
and we ought to pursue them togeth-
er. | Weld TO your desire only because
| must and wish to bid you Godspeed
in the parting. We shall continue to
work for the same causes even when
we do not work in the same way.
with a&ectionate regards, sincerely
yours, "WOODROW WILSON"