Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-08
BRYAN SAYS He WON'T
FIGHT ARMED NEUTRALITY
Indicates TO Friends That He VIII
Urge Followers in Congress to
Support President.
WILL FIGHT IF WAR COMES
Says it Is Unfair to Wilson to As
sumo That He Wants the Au-
thOrity to Declare War

WASHINGTON, ID. Co. March l.
William Jennings Bryan who was re.
ported in Jacksonville, Fla, dispatch
es as rushing to Washington to fight
President Wilson's attempt to secure
from Congress authority to arm
American ships, announced upon his
arrival here yesterday such was not
the purpose of his visit. In an au-
thorized interview he indicated his
approval of the Presidents desire to
put EARNED neutrality into effect"
In talks with friends, Mr.. Bryan
left the impression he would urge his
followers in Congress to support the
President. Later he dictated a state
ment, in which he said he proposed to
aid the President in keeping the coun-
try out of
Mr.. Bryan announced he had not
come to Washington to interfere with
the Presidents plans, but had come
here to speak today at the annual din
ner of the Nebraska Society.
81 am for peace" said Mr.. Bryan.
81 feel I owe a great deal to the
American people. They have honor
ed me and l believe the way to help
repay them is to do all l can to keep
the country out of war. But if war
comes, then l shall defend my coun-
try with all my heart and soul.
Scouts Idea of War
"Hitherto advocates of war have
misrepresented the President. He
said in his message: 4 am not now
proposing or contemplating war or
any steps that lead to it, As he is
not proposing war and not contem-
plating it, it is not fair for jingoes to
assume he wants the authority either
to declare war or to commence one.
There ought to be no objection to such
a working of the proposed resolution
that will make it clear Congress is not
surrendering its power to declare war
or giving authority for entering upon
a war.
"The President does not ask for
this. And Congress would not sur
render authority as the war-making
power. If the resolution could be
construed as authority to make war,
the lingo part of the press would be
constantly insisting the President
carry us into war.
Sees Need of Balance
81 am interested, as every American
should be, in the action of Congress.
l have noticed some prominent citizens
and a few newspapers are trying to
force the President into war, and |
think it important those opposed to
shall confirm the President in the
belief to which he gave expression in
his last talk to Congress, to the eff
feet the American people devoutly
hope the use of force may not be nee
essary.
"He interprcts correctly, l believe,
the almost unanimous wish of the
American people. He says he shares
in hat wish. l am sure he does, and
| am sure the American people re-
joice in the fact the President wishes
to avoid war.
81 have urged the doing of things,
which, in my judgment, lessen the
chances of war. One is to keep Amer
leans off belligerent ships, for no
American should be allowed to risk
his country's peace and welfare at a
time like this either to crafty his
pleasure in travel or to advance his
profits. Second, no belligerent ship
owner should be allowed to use Amer
lean citizens to safeguard his cargo.
81 would like to see the line drawn
between all eontraband and passen-
gers, but it certainly ought to be
drawn against arms and ammuni-