The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-22
AMERICAS REPLY
|. TO BERLIN PROTEST
IS UNANSWERADH
Wilson and Bryan Rap kaiser's
knuckles in Most Agreeable
Manner Imaginable
CAM Stop Shipment
Of War Munitions
Such Change in Policy of Gov
eminent at This ime Would
Prove a Violation Of Real
Neutrality. Says Note


of the United States to the recent
memorandum of the German ana
bassador. Count won Bernstorn. re-
nectinG upon the sincerity Of Amer
lean neutrality. In the aharpea1
diplomatic Communication that has
come from the state Department
since the war began. In 1t the aa-
mintstrstion clearly makes known
its disnpproval of both the subject
matter and the language of the
German mmunication.
While answering in considerable
detail the ambassadors contention that
the United States should prohibit the
expectation of arms to the allies, the
note goes further, and points out the
improperly of the ambassadors state
ment which have to do with the rela-
lions between the governments of the
United States and Great Britain. The
note also calls attention to the fAcs
that the language in the ambassadors
memorandum Is open to the eanatFuc--
ton that it impugns the good faith Of
the United States.
Note Viewed with Satisfaction.
The American note, which was de-
livered to the German embassy this
afternoon and made public few hours
later. Is viewed with much satisfaction
in official quarters. II Ia the joint
work of President Wilson and Sccrs-
tary Bryan. The belief that II will
accomplish all that was desired and
at the same time avoid all the dangers
feared in connection with the rather
delicate situation created by the am
bassadors memorandum.
Administration of!lcials are satisfied
that 1t will have the effect of abso.
lutely terminating further discussion Of
the issues raised by the Germans, and
that 1t will be out OF the question for
Germans. either here In Germany,
again to bring the issue before the
United States government or the Amer
lean public. 1t is felt. too. that II
upholds the dignity of this government
In manifesting Enthusiastically the disc
pleasure caused by features OF the en-
bassy memorandum, yet in way
which can cause no serious unpleas.
antness between tue United States ana
German governments.
Addressed to Ambassador.
The note lie addressed to the am.
bassador himself and makes no refer.
ence to his government. since his COM
munication was memorandum which
contained no statement to indicate
whether 1t originated with him or
with the Berlin government White
the administration has noted the am.
bassador's statements that the meme.
randum originated in Berlin, It wAe
decided to base no official assum ptiona
on his statements Thus the way q
open either to the ambassador or the
German government to take whatever
view they please OF the American
communication. %
While the Presidents note Is ge<~
orally regarded as singing rebuko
to the am bassador II need not be Of
ncially so viewed either by the United
States government nor the Ambassador
- a rnn rnr 10 ~
has repeatedly indicated that he wish~
ed the memorandum to be regarded ~
coming from his government The
am bassador does not need to feel that
he. personally is being in any wy
censured by the American govern.
ment. Count Won Bernstorff had n,
comment to make on the note thin
evening. When seen by your repre-
sentative he said:
"Bernstorn Says Nothing.
There Is absolutely nothing to N
said One government has sent re-
ply to a communication from another
government. Any statement on tho
subject must, therefore. come from NY
government" Ns
Officials here are confident that thVlN
will be no response. 1t Is held by the
that the presidents note is so dra&3
that. while making clear the viewE
this government, 1t contains nothi1@
winch can give onense IN Omclal GUS
tiers. 1t is likely. though, that tlj1
German press will bitterly criticize ~
tone.
The problem facing United StAtee
officials has been to make sucA
answer as would maintain the dignity
OF the United States in the face az
what was regarded as unwarrAntSv
and improper reflections on It's Actp
and motives without involving tn
United States in any serious ufi-
pleasantness with either the Gersnah
Ambassador. his Government. or the
German people. The credit for what
la regarded as tho successful a1~
complement Of this purpose II giyen
wholly TO the President. who. Arsar
receiving = number Of suggestions
from his advisers In the State Da~
partment. deliherated on them M
great length. and then composed tR4
note transmitted today.
Germany Can Raise No IGGue.
The fear was entertaiued when th9
German memorandum was recetv4A
that It represented purpose on tAee
part OF Germany to draw the Unita
States into a controversy. II y S0a&
that the President's note Of today -
made II impossible for this to b Au1s
on the iasues raised In the 0erM04.