The Detroit times., 1915-08-16
Teuton Arms Sales in
Previous Wars B
Cited
EXPORT BAN MUST
BE UNNEUTRAL
Says America Would
Need Arms in Time
of War

WASHINGTON, July 16.-The ad-
ministration last night made public
the text of its reply to Austria's pro-
test regarding the export OF arms
and munitions by the nited States
to enemies of the teutonic powers.
II amounted to a fat refusal to con-
slider the Austrian request.
The note on'ended that any EN-
barge place or munitions would be
unneItral. cited the huge sales Of
munitions made to belligerent
countries In the past by Austria and
Germany and maintained that inasl
much as the United States In time
OF war would be forced to depend
on other nations for its munitions
supplies, il could not deny to others
what Il claims for itself.
The text OF the ,o;- is as follows:
THE Secretary of state to Ambas-
sador Penield
"Denartment OF state. washington,
Aug IL 1915:
please present note to the royal
foreign office in reply to its note of
June ~ IN the IDllONlHk Sf0St
THE government OF the United
States has given careful consideration
to the statement Cf the imperial 'nd
royal government in regard To the
expectation OF arms and ammunition
from the United states To the corN-
tries at war with Austria Hungary
and GERMANY The "over~'ne~f of
the United states notes with salts
faction the recognition by the inn
periai and royal government of the
undoubted fact that its attitude with
regard to the expectation of arms
and ammunition from the United
States is prompted nv it's intention
to maintain the strictest neutrality
provisions Of international treaties,
but is surprised To hnd the imperial
and royal government Implying that
the observance of the strict p~irci-
pies uf the law under the conditions
which have developed In the present
war is insufficient. and asserting that
this government should go beyond
the long recognized rules governing
such traffic by neutrals and adopt
measures to maintain an attitude of
strict parity with respect 10 both
beiiive-ent parties
ITO this assertion OF an ohliga ton
to change or modify the rules of in
te~1atioral usage on account Of spe-
cial conditions. the government OF
10 t'-i'ed states cannot accede The
recognition OF an obligation Of this
sort unknown TO the international
practice of the past. would impose
unco 900. reutrql rntipn n duty 20
sit in Judgment on tho progress of n
wa- nnd to restrict it's commercial
Intercourse with n bellige-ept whose
naval successes prevented the neu-
trois from trade with the enemy
THE contention or the imperial
and roval government appears to he
that the advantage gained To n hel-
liverent bV its sunerioritv IN the
~eas should he eduslized by the neu-
trail powers by the establishment "
n sVstcn Of non-intercourse with the
victor The imperial and royal gov
ernment confines Its comments to
arms and ammunition. hut. " the
principle for which " contends I.
sound. 10 shoulf apply with equal
force to all articles Of contrehand
"A belliRerent controlling the high
seas might possess an ample supply
az arms and ammunition. but he IN
want OF food and clothing. On the
novel principle that eauaiixation r. \
neutral duty. neutral nations would
(Cestiaasa On Psge Twe.)