The Washington herald., 1915-04-22

call your exceliency's attention to this,
notwithstanding II Is already known to
all the world as a consequence Of the
, publication of our correspondence in re-
gard to these matters with several of the
belligerent nations because / cannot as
sumo that you have official cognizance
of it.
shown Impartial Good Will.
in the second place, this govern
metn attempted to secure from the
German and British governments mu-
tual concessions with regard to the
measures those governments re-
spectively accepted for the Interrupt
ton of trade on the high seas. This
1t did. not of right. but merely as
exercising the privileges Of a sincere
friend Of both parties and as indicat-
ing its impartial good will The at
tempt was unsuccessful: but 1 regret
that your excellency did not deem II
worthy of mention In modification OF
the fmpressions you expressed. We
had hoped that this act on our part
had shown our spirit in these times
of distressing war as our diplomatic
correspondence had shown our stead
fast refusal to acknowledge the right
of any belligerent to alter the ac-
cepted rules of war at sea in so far as
they affect the rights and interests of
neutrals.
Unneutral to Inhibit Arms Export..
I'm the third place. 1 note with sincere
regret that. in discussing the sale and
expectation Of arms by citizens of the
United States to the enemies Of Germany
your excellency seems to be under the
impression that it was within the choice
Of the government of the United States
Notwithstanding its professed neutrality
and It's diligent efforts to maintain il in
other particulars. to inhibit this trade.
and that its failure to do so manifested
an unfair attitude toward Germany
This government holds. as l believe your
cXcellency is aware, and as it is con-
strained to hold in view of the present
indsputable doctrines of accepted inter-
national law. that any change in its own
laws of neutrality during the progress
of a war which would affect unequally
the relations of the United States with
the nations at war would be an unjusti-
liable departure from the principle of
strict neutrality. by which it has con-
sistently sought to direct its actions, and
respectfully submit that none OF the
circumstances urged in your excellency's
memorandum alters the principle in
volved. The placing OF an embargo on
the trade in arms at the present time
would constitute such change and be
a direct violation OF the neutrality of the
United States. 1t will. feel assured. be
clear TO your eXcellency that. holding
this view and considering itself in honor
bound by it, it Is for this government to
such a course.
L. ). Compelled to SPEAK Frankly.
Il hope your eXcelency will realize the |
spirit in which l am drafting this reply |
The friendship between the people of the |
United States and the people OF Germany
is SO warm and of such long standing |
the ties which bind them to one another |
IN amty are SO many and SO strong, that |
this government feels under special |
to speak with perfect frank |
ness when any occasion arises which |
seems likely to create any misunder- |
however slight or temporary.
between those who represent the govern
ments of the two countries. 1t will be a |
matter of qualification to me IL | have
from your eXCellcncy's mind any
you may have been I'M
der regarding either the policy or the
spirit and purposes of the government of
the United States. Its neutrality is
upon the firm basis of conscience
and good will.
Accept. your eXcelency. the renewed |
of my highest consideration.
(Signedp w. ]. BRYAN"