New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-15
Kirchwey Tells How
He Took the Message
to Daniels
PARTS DELETED
BY NAVY HEAD
Taken Out "for Obvious
Reasons" Bryan Gave
Letter of Introduction

DR. George W. Kirchwey, former
dean of the Columbia Law School,
told Yesterday the story of the no
torious message which DR.. George
Barthelme sent to his newspaper, the
Cologne Gazette" on February II,
after Secretary Daniels had passed
on il. DR.. Kirchwey carried it to
Mr.. Daniels.
The Secretary suggested that
some parts Of the message be de-
Ieted. This was done, but one of the
passages that was not eXpunged is
this;
From high sources. whose identity
cannot be disclosed, l am urged. al
most implored, to convey TO the Ger
man people, and if possible TO the
oovernment, the idea that the mes
sage President Wilson's message TO
Congress- should not be construed
a. indicating any desire on the part
of the government or the people for
war with Germany.
Got Letter from Bryan
Although it was DR.. Barthelme's
purpose at first to solicit the help of
william ]. Bryan in getting the dis
match to Germany, Mr.. Bryan, DR..
Kirchwey said, was not appealed to.
Mr Brvan's part in the transaction
was to give DR.. Kirchwey a letter of
irtroduction to Secretary Daniels.
This letter, DR.. Kirchwey said, ne
had no occasion to use, as he found
his own card sufficient to get him
INTO Mr.. Daniels Office.
-itting in Mr. BryaD's room at
the hstel on the Sunday after relations
with Germany were severed" said Dr.
Kirchwey. "Mr Bryan had gone out
He bad told me l could stay in the room
until his return. / decided 70 wait
there. Later a gentleman came IN and
wanted to see yir Bryan. got into
a conversation with him, and as ne
seemed most intelligent l encouraged
MIN to talk. He told me ne was DIR.
Bsrthelme, correspondent Of The Co.
logoe Gazette
q asked him what were his views
ibout the relations with Germany and
he said he was convinced that the
American people did not want war. He
said. in fact, he had partly prepared
dispatch 70 that effect, and he wanted
20 smplify his dispatch on the basis OF
an interview with Mr.. Bryan. or
obvious reasons / told him ! thought 1t
would be .inadvisable 20 base his DIS
patch on Mr.. Bryan's views. ] asked
him what ne had already prepared. de
tsid what he had prepared was based
partly on extracts from President Will
son's address 70 Congress and partly on
a. address % the American people Dy
Nr. Bryan, which had appeared IN the
newspapers that morning.
No Sentiment for War
Eve talked at length about the stu
alton in the two countries. Finally he
iold me he was perpleXed as 10 whether
he would be able 70 send his message
over the wireless as formerly, now that
diplomatic relations were broken. he
said he had called up the Navy Depart
meat about il. but couldn't get much
abstraction.
@Sinee Germany and the United
states we're still a. peace. / told HIM,
! didn't see why ne couldn't communi-
cate with his paper as usual, so long
a. he didn't send anything improper
sndcr the new circumstances that had
arisen. Then he said he was extremely
ANXIOUS 70 get his dispatch of, as he
had found no sentiment for war here
ard be really had been begged by prom
merit people 20 send word % that
effect.
Il advised him 10 would be proper
. tell the German people that, while
mere was no sentiment for war the
american people were behind the
rfssident and would resist any further
-ggressions by Germany. 1 suggested
nat he tell Germany through his news
PAPER the adtisability of Germany's al.
,ering its submarine policy. He said
he was in doubt whether the Navy De-
p~rlment would let him send it.
Goes to See Daniels
told DR.. Barthelme that might
@saitt him with Secretary Daniels, but
no unless he first let me see MS dis-
yeSh. Ihis he agreed 70 do. Accord
MY that same night he brought ms
Woposeo dispatch - me. read ~
t and urged changes, with an idea
N' ~ eliminating certain parts ne
r pAa better t. He took n away again
% ihf next day Monday came back.
Dad provided myself with formal
esle from Nr Bryan introducing me TO
10fslsry Daniels. and with this and
- barhelme'k dispatch J went 70 the
department There ] sent my
~ 70 Secretary Daniels, and he re-
e re without my having 20 make
" oi hr bryans note.
a.. s4plzined u Secretary Daniels the
ssfe o. my business. and We read the
,lge,th OYER told Secretary Daniels
-. ~. Bartaeime vas very anxious 20
Nht aispatch oG ~ once, but didn't
en1, whether the wireless ccnsOrs
,s"9 Permit 70 % pass. Secretary DAN
r.f,1in re- raw no reason for them 20
,sskt % let it pass, provided IL con.
49, nolhing improper Then he read
ss,s. ne Dispatch and suggested that
' parts might be cot OUT
hgfeed on Examinations
~. what parts did he suggest
-, ba ept ogt| Dr.. KirehHey was
,s,.s.l s.,s.l don't 5ike 70 mention for