New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-10
Berlin Complains That the
U. S. Acquiesces in Brit
ish Blockade Order.
OBJECTS TO SENDING
OF ARMS TO ALLIES
New Communication Quotes
Presidents Words on Mexican
Embargo to Prove Point.

Washington. April 9. Germany has
sent to the United States government
note complaining that the latter has
accomplished nothing in its diplomatic
correspondence with the Allies to OBJ
tain for American exporters the right
70 ship foodstufrs to the civilian popu-
lation of bellgerent country. The
communication intimates also that the
United States has virtually acqulesced
in the British Order in Council prohibit
ing commerce with Germany.
In view Of these considerations. the
German government then calls atten-
tion to the fact that the Allies daily
are obtaining large shipments Of arms
and ammunition from dealers in the
United States and declares that the
American government. while insisting
on its legal right 10 ship arms to bel
ligerents. does not with equal energy
pursue its right TO ship foodstuffs and
non -contraband articles to the civilian
population Of Germany.
President Is Quoted.
The note urges that, irrespective of
the formal aspects Of the question OF
shipping arms to belligerents, the spirit
Of neutrality should be observed. In
support of this contention a quotation
is cited from President Wilson's sd-
dress to Congress on Mexican affairs
in August, 1913, when ne said:
II shall follow the best practice OF
nations in the matter Of neutrality by
forbidding the expectation Of arms or
munitions Of war of any kind from the
United States 70 any part of the Re
public of Mexico-a policy suggested
bv several interesting precedents and
certainly dictated by many manifest
considerations of practical expediency.
We cannot in the circumstances be par
tisans Of either party TO the contest
that now distrscts Mexico. nor constl-
tute ourselves the virtual umpire be
tween them
Officials Of the State Department
have begun the preparation of re-
ply, which will be delivered shortly to
Count Won Belnstorff. the German Am
bassador here. The complaint that
neutral countries had submitted to the
influence Of the Allies in connection
with the right to ship conditional con-
aaband foodstuffs to the civilian pop
u.-tion of a belligerent has been made
bef."e by Germany in her diplomatic
note. this being cited by the German
ForeieL Office as one OF the reasons
Tor proc ming a submarine war zone
Of the was surrounding Great Brit
ain and lre.a.d. The United States de-
MED in its reply then that 1t had been
silent on the question. and called at
tention 10 its diplomatic notes 10 Great
Britain dealing with these subjects.
II is understood that the reply TO
the present complaint will deay vigor-
ously that this government has acGul-
esced in any way 10 the Order in COun-
Gil. and probably will refer to the last
note sent by the United States to
Great Britain arguing at length It's op-
position 10 the viewpoint OF the Allies
on the blockade question.
officials Unconvnced.
As for the utterances of the Presi-
dent on the shipment of arms into
Mexico. officials here mold that the
Mexican situation constitutes special
case. IN no way compatible with the
relations between the United States
and the European belligerents. Officials
pointed out that the President said in
the same address TO Congress:
81 deem it my duty to exercise the
authority conferred upon me by the
law of March IA, 1912, TO see to it that
neither side to the struggle now going
on in Mexico receives any assistance
from this side of the border"
There is no law by which the Presi-
dent Of the United States, il was de-
clared, could exercise the same author
ity, even If he were desirous of for
bidding the expectation OF arms TO all
belligerents, as 10 do so without au-
thority from Congress would be uncon-
stitutional.