Richmond times-dispatch. [volume], June 09, 1915, Image 1

About Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current

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65th YEAR
VOLUME OA.
XTMHEa 160
RICHMOND, VA., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1915.?FOURTEEN PAGES.
HPAGEEn. -FAIR
PRICE, 2 CENTS
BRYAN QUITS AS SECRETARY OF STATE;
CLIMAX TO CRISIS OVER GERMAN NOTE
, n
UNFAIR TO WILSON
TO REMAIN MEMBER
OF OFFICIAL FAMILY
Resignation Tendered, to Take Effect When
Note to Germany Is Sent, on Account
of Irreconcilable Differences
as to Methods.
CORDIAL LETTERS EXCHANGED BY
PRESIDENT AND RETIRING PREMIER
Bryan Says Ho Considers It His Duty to Endeavor as a
Private Citizen to Promote End in View by Means
Which His Chief Does Not Feel at Liberty to Use in
Furtherance of Cause Nearest His Heart, Namely,
Prevention of War?Chief Executive's Acceptance,
in Letter of Regret Tinged With Deep Personal Feel
ing of Affection, Pays Tribute to His Loyalty and
Unselfish Service.
WASHINGTON, June 8.?Secretary Bryan's letter of
resignation was as follows:
"My Dear Mr. President:
"It is with sincere regret that I have reached the conclusion
that I should return to you the commission of Secretary of
State, with which you honored me at the beginning of your
administration. *
"Obedient to your sense of duty and actuated by the highest
motives, you have prepared for transmission to the German
government a communication in which I cannot join. What
I deem to be an obligation to my country and the issue involved
i? 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.
"I therefore respectfully tender my resignation, to take
effect when the note is sent, unless you prefer an earlier hour.
Alike desirous of reaching a peaceful solution of the problems
arising out of thp use of submarines against merchantmen, we
find ourselves differing irreconcilably as to the methods which
should bf1 employed.
"It falls to your lot to speak officially for the nation; I
consider it to be none the less my duty to endeavor as a private
citizen to promotf the end which you have in view by means
vhich you do not feel at liberty to use.
"In severing the intimate and pleasant relations which
have existed between us during the past two years, permit me
to acknowledge the profound satisfaction which it has given me
to be associated with you in the important work which has
come beforf the State Department, and to thank you for the
courtesies extended.
"With the heartiest good wishes for your personal welfare
and for the sticcess of your administration, T am, my dear Mr.
President.
"Yerv trulv vours,
(Signed) "W. J. BRYAN."
PRESIDENT'S LETTER TO RETIRING OFFICIAL.
The President's letter to Mr. Bryan was as follows:
"My Dear Mr. Bryan:
"I accept your resignation only because you insist upon its
' acceptance, and I accept it with much more than deep regret,
with a feeling of personal sorrow. Our two years of close
association have been very delightful to me. Our judgments
have accorded in practically every matter of official duty and
of public policy until now; your support of the work and
purposes of administration has been generous and loyal beyond
praise: your devotion to the duties of your great office and
your eagerness to take advantage of every great opportunity
for service it offered have been an example to the rest of us;
you have earned our affectionate admiration and friendship.
Even now we are not separated in the object we seek, but only
in the method by which we seek it.
"It is for these reasons that my feelings about your
:etirement from the secretaryship of State go so much deeper
than regret. I sincerely deplore it. Our objects are the same,
;.nd we ought to pursue them together. I yield to your desire
only because I must, and 'wish to bid you God-speed in the
parting. We shall continue to work for the same causes, even
when we do not work in the same way.
"With affectionate regard.
"Sincerelv yours,
"WOODROW WILSON."
TO INVENT NEW DANCE
Demonstration by Dancing MnnterH "Will
lie filvtn on Thursdny.
SAN* FRANCISCO, June 8.?The Inter
national Association of Dancing Mas
ters. in convention here, has decided to
invent :omething to take the place of
the so-called "zoo" dances, now de
clared taboo.
Tho new step, it was announced to
day, is to be a medium between the
fox trot, canter waltz and the one-step
on!the one hand, an?l the old-fashioned
vj'.tz and two-step on the other. A
ri/^ionstration will be given next
Tf rsday.
'/VARENFORD DECORATED !
pn ng Canadian Aviator In Given the
- Victoria Cro*H.
LONDON, June 8.?Reginald A. J.
War<srt5?-?'?1. the young Canadian sub
lieutenant in the royal navy who yes
terday in an aeroplane attacked and
wrecked a Zeppelin dirigible over Rel
glum. was given the Victoria Cross to
day.
Ji Warenford's exploit marks the flrst
time a Zeppelin has been brought to;
earth by a monoplane. i
DERNBURG SOON TO LEAVE
Expected to Depart From United States
on Saturday.
[Special to The Times-Dispatch.]
NEW YORK. June S?Dr. Bernhard
Dernburg, who has been frequently re
ferred to as the unofficial representa
tive of the Kaiser here, will leave the
United States next Saturday on the
steamer Bernsfjord. according to infor
mation given by the Norwegian-Ameri
can T.,ine, whose ships ply between New
York and Norwegian ports.
Dr. Dernburg came to this country
as a special commissioner of the Ger
man Red Cross. Despite the fact that
he was most active in spreading a Ger
man propaganda here, he continued his
Red Cross work. As an official of the
organization, he cannot, under the rules
of modern warfare, be seized by the
enemies of Germany.
The only official statement hearing on
the situation came from Count von
Bernstorff, the German ambassador at
Washington, several days ago. He
said:
"Dr. Dernburg has decided of his
own free will and volition to leave the
United States. His decision was with
out suggestion from the embassy or the
German government."
Wi/1ie?m <J&n njng-5 23rycxri
E
Life Devoted to Political Campaign
ing, Lecture Platform and Cause
of Universal Peace.
BRYAN LONG IX PUBLIC EYE
Switch of Support From Clark to
Wilson Gave Latter Nomination at
Baltimore and Caused Personal
Break With Speaker.
WASHINGTON, June S.?William
Jenning Bryan's resignation as Secre
tary of State because of a question of
principle at a critical moment in the
nation's history, added another sensa
tion to a spectacular career?a life de
voted to arduous political campaigning,
the lecture platform, and the cause of
universal peace.
Attracting attention when he \vent
to Congress in 1S91, he leaped into
prominence at once with a speech that
electrified his audience. The tall, lanky
Westerner had early earned the name
of "Boy Orator of the Platte." His
famous "Cross of Gold and Crown of
Thorns" speech in 1S96 at the psycho
logical moment at the Democratic con
vention won him the nomination for
the presidency.
When the Spanish-American War
broke out he enlisted and went to thej
front as colonel of a regiment he j
helped to form. On his return he again
came into prominence at the Demo
cratic convention of 100^, and in his
campaign against McKlnley advocated
the granting of independence to the1
Philippines and a policy of "anti
lmperlaliem."
Notwithstanding his political defeats
he was acclaimed as the "Peerless
Leader" of Democracy, and was sup
ported by a large personal following.
He made speeches in nearly every city
and town In the country, and his bitter
political fights with factions in many
States kept him in the forefront of
public attention.
STIRS t'P SENSATION'
IX DOMESTIC CinCI.ES
When Mr. Bryan returned from a trip
around the world in 1010, and was
greeted by a great crowd in Madison
Square Garden, his speech advocating
government ownership of railways
stirred up a sensation In domestic poll
tics. It was shortly after this that
Woodrow Wilson, the President of
Princeton University, wrote the famous
letter to Adrian Jollno declaring that
the speech made him feel that Mi
Bryan "ought to be knocked iato a
cocked hat."
The record of Mr. Wilson as Governor
of New Jersey in advocating progres
sive legislation attracted Mr Bryan to
him, and he visited the Governor at his
Princeton home. Although instructed
(Continued on Second Page.)
FIRM NOTE TO GERIIIiANf !
WILL GO FORWARD TD-OAT
Unfavorable Reply Almost Certain to
Mean Severance of Diplomatic
Relations.
j FINAL APPROVAL BY CABINET j
Acceptance of Bryan's Resignation
Spreads Impression That Wilson Is
Determined Rights of I". S. Must
Be Upheld in Any Eventuality.
WASHINGTON, June S.?The policy
| of the United States toward Germany?
! an insistence on the observance of neu
| tral rights and the safeguardinB of the
lives of Americans on the high seas?
was determined finally to-day at a
Cabinet discussion.
Secretary Bryan's resignation had
beer, submitted and accepted when the
meeting convened, and he took little
| part in the discussion. The note, which
is to be sent to Germany to-morrow,
was read over to-day for the last time
to the Cabinet by President Wilson.
Suggestions of some minor changes j
| were noted by the President.
The resignation of Mr. Bryan, who'
advocated a course that under no!
| circumstances would involve the
United States in war, spread the im
pression that the President and his
I Cabinet had decided firmly that the
rights of the United States must he
j upheld in any eventuality that may
arise. While no intimation of the con
tents of the rote was given, it is un
derstood an unfavorable reply will
mean the severance of diplomatic re
lations with Germany, and that at
tacks on Americans thereafter might
lead even to greater complications.
FORECG.N DIPLOMATS
The effect of the general situation of
I Secretary Bryan's withdrawal from the
| Cabinet was a subject of comment
I everywhere. Foreign diplomatists in
terpreted it as significant of a force
l ful course on the part of the United
| States. They were busy with their
j code hooks and cablegrams to-night
I advising their respective governments
j of the Cabinet change and Its signifi
| cance.
| In Austro-German quarters, where,
j there has been some confidence that
Secretary Bryan's stand for peace
would make Impossible a rupture be
tween the United States and-Germany,
the resignation of the secretary caused
much uneasiness.
In other official and diplomatic quar
ters the view was held that by accept
ing the resignation of Mr. Bryan the
President had demonstrated to Ger
many his earnest intention of securing
reparation for the loss of American
lives on the Liusitania and a guarantee
against other violations of American
(Continued on Second Pago.)
ADVISK GOVEHXMKXTS
PROBABLE SUCCESSOR
Names of Secretary of War and j
Counselor of State Department j
Most Frequently -Mentioned.
CLIMAX TO CABINET CRISIS
i
News of Bryan's Resignation Creates j
(?enuino Sensation in Washington ;
and Causes Belief That He Expects j
Note Decided On Will Cause War. I
BY JUSTIN McGRATII.
WASHINGTON, June S.?Secretary of
State Bryan handed his resignation to
President Wilson immediately after the
Cabinet meeting to-day. ^t was ac
cepted.
Mr. Bryan's resignation came as a
climax to the Cabinet crisis over the
German note.
Immediately upon the acceptance of
Mr. Bryan's resignation by the Presi
dent, Counselor Robert Lansing be
came the acting Secretary of State.
It will be Mr. Lansing's name which
will be signed to the American note to
Germany which was put in its final j
form at the Cabinet meeting to-day, j
and which the President said this j
evening, through his secretary, Mr. |
Tumulty, he hoped would go forward i
to-morrow.
It was the decision of the President j
and the majority of the Cabinet on the j
form and language of this note which i
Induced Mr. Bryan to tender his resig
nation.
MITCH SPKCULATIOX
AS TO HIS SlTCESSOR
There is much speculation here to
night as to who will permanently suc
ceed Mr. Bryan as head of the State
Department, and as to whether the
friction In the Cabinet would end with
his resignation. The choice for Mr.
Bryan's successor most probably lies
between Secretary of War Garrison and
Mr. Lansing. The name of Secretary
Lane was quite generally mentioned In
this connection, hut the fact that Mr.
Lane was born in Canada is thought
to preclude his selection In the present
international crisis.
Secretary Bryan's letter of resigna
tion and the President's letter of ac
ceptance were given out this evening.
The first definite news of Secretary
Bryan's resignation was obtained
about 5:30. It created a genuine sen
sation. Within fifteen minutes every
one In Washington was discussing It
and what It portended. The reason as
cribed by Mr. Bryan for his reslKnation
caused as much if not greater interest
than the resignation Itself. In the
second paragraph of his letter to the
President he said:
"The issue Involved Is of such mo
(Continued on Third Page.)
HANDS RESIGNATION
TO WILSON AFTER
CABINET MEETING
Retirement Comes as Dramatic Sequel to
Disagreement With President and His
Other Advisers Over Government's
Policy Toward Germany.
COUNSELOR LANSING TO SIGN NOTE
WHICH WILL BE SENT TO BERLIN TO-DAY
Head of State Department Gives Up Office, Rather Than
Put Namr- to Document Which He Thinks Might
Draw United States Into War?Retires to Private
Life To-Day, but Will Continue His Political Support
of Present Administration?Action Is Outcome of
Differences, Constantly Growing Larger During Con
sideration of Reply to Berlin, Until Finally They Be
come Irreconcilable.
WASHINGTON. June 8.?William Jennings Bryan, three
times Democratic candidate for the presidency of the United
States, and author of nearly thirty peace treaties with the
principal nations of the world, resigned to-day as Secretary of
State as a dramatic sequel to his disagreement with President
Wilson over the government's policy toward Germany.
The resignation was accepted by the President. The,
Cabinet then approved the response which had been prepared
to the German reply to the Lusitania note. Acting Secretary
Robert Lansing will sign the document, and to-morrow it will
be cabled to Berlin.
Secretary Bryan will return to private life to-morrow, when
his resignation takes effect. It 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 a letter, declaring that "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
ray heart, namely, the prevention of war."
The President accepted the resignation in a letter of regret,
tinged with deep personal feeling of affection. The letters
constituting the official announcement of Mr. Bryan's departure
from the Cabinet to private life were made public at the White
I House at 6 o'clock to-night.
DRAMATIC END TO CABINET CAREER.
Dramatically the official relation of Mr. Bryan with the administration
and with the man whose nomination he assisted so materially in bringing
about at the Baltimore convention of 1912 came to an end. It caused a
sensation In the national capital scarcely paralleled in recent years.
Ambassadors, ministers and diplomatists from foreign lands, officials of
every rank and station, heard the news as it was flashed by newspaper
extras to-night. They interpreted variously its effect on the delicate
situation that has arisen between Germany and the United States.
The resignation of the stanchest advocate of peace in the President's
official family spread broadcast the belief that the policy of the United
States aB definitely determined upon would assert and defend the rights
of the United StateB in any eventuality that might arise.
Originally, it was the intention of the President and Mr. Bryan to
have the announcement of the resignation made simultaneously with the
dispatch of the note to Germany, but when Mr. Bryan did not attend the
Cabinet meeting to-day until President Wilson sent for him rumors that
the President had been unable to bring the Secretary of State to his point
of view filled the air. Finally, shortly before 6 o'clock, the news leaked
out, and was confirmed.
Just when the subject was first broached between the President and
Mr. 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 principles on which the note to Germany should be based were
discussed at the Cabinet meeting on Friday Mr. Bryan found that ho
could not reconcile his own position with that of the administration.
Work on the note went forward, however. Mr. Bryan keeping his
secret, as did other officials, awaiting the hour when the communication
would be ready to be cabled.
CABINET MEETS FOR FINAL READING OF NOTE.
To-day the Cabinet assembled for a 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 on account of important business.
At the White House no word as to the reasons for his failure to appear
at the meeting were given, but after the Cabinet had been discussing the
note for an hour Mr. Bryan arrived, telling the newspaper men at the
White House that he regretted being late.
It was learned to-night that, with the knowledge that his resignation
had already been accepted by the President, Mr. Bryan felt it would be
indelicate to attend to-day's session unless his presence was desired by
the President. WThen Mr. Wilson telephoned an invitation the secretary
hurried to the White House, his face somewhat drawn and pale. When
the Cabinet adjourned shortly after 1 o'clock Mr. Bryan entertained seven
of his colleagues, all who could attend, at luncheon at the University Club.
The luncheon was In the nature of a farewell.
That there had been friction between the President and Mr. Bryan
has been the undercurrent of comment for several weeks, but as the
President heretofore always had been able to secure the acquiescence of
the secretary in his point of view, talk of resignation was discounted
generally. It came to light to-day that the position of Mr. Bryan in the
Cabinet recently had become very embarrassing?his advocacy of peace
being'so pronounced that other members of the Cabinet who felt that
the United States should assert its policy, iriespective of the consequences,
were understood to have on one occasion declared their intention of
resigning if a policy of firmness and vigor were not adopted.
The real disagreement dates back to the famous session of the
Cabinet when tho note of May 13, following the sinking of the Lusitania.
was drafted, informing Germany that the United States would not "omit"
any word or "act" to protect its rights. At that time Mr. Bryan made a
speech counseling peaceful measures and cautious action. He gave his
consent to signing tho note only after it was tentatively arranged that a
statement should be issued at the White House and transmitted to the
German government announcing that, inasmuch as Germany had accepted
the principle of the peace treaties negotiated between tho United States
and other countries, differences between the two nations might be adjusted
by a committee of investigation. Opposition to this course was moat
vehement in some Cabinet quarters, and the President, after having
considered at length Mr. Bryan's suggestion, finally disapproved it at the
hour tho note was sent. Some Cabinet officers argued that such an
appendix to the note of May 13 would be corstrued abroad as a weakening
of the American position, and their counsol prevailed.
SINCE THEN OFFICIAL RELATION'S STRAINED.
Since then the official relations of Mr. Bryan with the President and
the other Cabinet officers have been somewhat strained, although tho
closest personal friendship has been maintained.
Officials of the administration were unanimous to-night in their
expressions of personal regret. Secretary Tumulty issued a statement to
i