Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-07
Secretary Bryan Informs
Bernstorff He Can't Probe
Dumdum Charges.
NEUTRALITY RULES
WOULD BE VIOLATED
Bryan Makes Plain Attitude Of United
States and Presents Evidence to In
dictate American Firms Have Not
Sold Soft Nosed Bullets to Warning
Nations, As Charged in German
Protest.


| today informed Count Bernstorfr. the
| German ambassador. that the United
States. in maintaining strict neutrality
must refrain officially from investigat-
were being furnished the French from
this country.
Secretary Bryan told the ambassador
that IL he could furnish proofs that
American manufacturers were making
such shipments Mr.. Wilson would use
his influence to stop the traffic.
Quotes Manufacturers.
In a letter to Count Bernstorff, Sec
rotary Bryan referred to denlals of
American manufacturers to his recent
charge of dumdum bullets and riot guns
being furnished to the allies. The let
ter follows:
Il have the honor to acknowledge
yours OF the 9Th ulto., calling attention
to fresh violations of The Hague con-
vention of July 20. 1892 by the British
government, in the use of dumdum bull
let's
Il can assure your excellency that /
am not unmindful OF the spirit in which
yon bring to the attention of this gov
eminent the alleged improper conduct
which has occurred in the progress Of
the present war;
Can Not Investigate.
"But while the government may take
these charges under consideration. 1t is.
in it's effort to maintain a strict neu-
| trality In the present conflict, obliged
to refrain from investigating their
truthfulness or making any comment in
regard TO them.
The time vii come, however. when
the truth may be inpartially deter
mined and when the Judgment of the
world will be passed on the charges OF
the violation of the rules of civilized
warfare.
Your excellency also states that the
British government has ordered from
| the Winchester Repeating Arms Com
pany. 10000 riot guns model 1897, and
50,O00,0o0 'buclsshot cartridges for use
in such guns. This department saw a
published statement of the Winchester
company, the correctness Of which the
company has confirmed by telegraph.
| In this statement the company catagor-
! ically denies that 1t has received an
from England or any other government
engaged in the war
Your excellency calls attention to
information that is not doubted that
| 100000 cartridges fitted with 'mush-
room bullets have been delivered since
October by the Union Natalie Com
pany for the armament of the British
army.
Claims Disputed.
| I'm reply I have the honor to refer
to the letter Of Dec, 10. 1914, Of the
Remington Arms Union Metallic Car
fridge Company to your excellency,
called forth by certain newspaper re-
ports Of statements alleged to have
been made by you in regard to the sale
by that company OF soft nosed bullets.
From this letter it appears that, in
stead of 100000 cartridges having
been sold, only little over 1000 were
manufactured, and 100000 were sold.
The letter further asserts that these
cartridges were made to supply de-
mand for better sporting cartridge
with a soft-nosed bullet and that such
| cartridges can not be used In the mill
tary rifle of any foreign power. The
company adds that its statement can
be substantiated and that 1t is ready
to give you any evidence that you may
require on these points.
Has List of Purchasers.
1.-The department. is now in receipt
from the company Of complete de-
tailed list OF the persons to whom these
! cartridges were sold. From this list
appears the cartridges were sold to
! firms in lots Of from 10000 to $4,000
and one lot each Of 5000. 1000 and
| 5000. or these only 800 cartridges
went to British North America, and
100 to British East Africa. If. how
ever. you can furnish tho department
with evidence that this or any other
company is manufacturing or selling
| for use in the contestlng armies in
Europe, cartridges whose use would
contravene The Hague convention. the
government would be glad to be fur
nished the evidence and the president
directs me to inform you that IL any
| company Is sending such munitions
abroad he will use all the means in
his power to end the traffic.
ri view Of the publicity given your
excellency's complaint 1t Is taken for
granted that there can be no objection
on your part to giving equal publicity
| to this note and to the letter from the
Union Metallic Company, addressed "a
you on Dec. 10. 1914.
| Accept, excellency, the renewed as
surances OF my highest consideration
FRESH REVOLUTION BEGUN.