The Washington herald., 1915-01-08
u. 5. MAY STOP
BULLET EXPORTS
Wilson Must Have the Facts
About Dumdum Kind Be-
fore Order Issued.
BRYAN WRITES ENVOY
Evidence that They Are Sent to Allies
Asked Makers Have Denied Won
Bernstorf's Statement.
BRYAN WRITES ENVOY

While unwilling to investigate or COM
ment upon charges made against any of
the belligerents in the present war with
regard to the use OF dumdum bullets.
President Wilson will use his influence TO
prevent American manufacturers supply
ing belligerents with such bullets.
This statement is contained in the reply
OF Secretary OF State Bryan to Amba ssa-
dor Bernstorff. who presented at the
State Department charges that not only
were the French and English using soft
nOsed bullets, but that American manu-
facturers are supplying them with such
ammunition. Secretary Bryan declares
that the time will come when the truth as
to charges against belligerents will be
determined and opinion will be passed
upon the accused. This statement is sim
liar to that made by President Wilson in
reply to the Belgian commission which
presented charges that the German forces
had been guilty of atrocities in Belgium.
Evidence Is Lacking.
Regarding the charges against the
American companies named by Ambas-
sador Bernstorff. Secretary Bryan as
serts that the department has found no
evidence in support of them. He de-
clares, however. that il at any time the
Ambassador can furnish evidence that
:
with prohibited ammunition, the Presi-
dent will seek to stop the traffic. with
out regard to whether or not il is
the duty of this government on legal
or conventional grounds TO take such
action. As a matter of fact, the United
States government is not signatOry to
The Hague agreement prohibiting the
use Of dumdum bullets.
The evidence cited by Secretary Bryan
in regard to the charges against the
companies is regarded here as conclu-
sively disproving them and it is believed
the incident is ended. Following is Mr..
Bryan's note to the Ambassador:
have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your note OF the 5th ul-
limo, calling attention to fresh viola
lions or the Geneva Convention as we'll
as of section two, article twenty-three
of The Hague Convention Of July a9.
1899, by the British government in the
use of dumdum bullets | can assure
your eXcellenCy that | am not unmind-
full Of the spirit in which you bring
TO the attention of this government
the improper practices which are al
legged to have occurred in the conduct
OF the present wear. But while this
government may take these statements
and charges under consideration II is
in its effort to maintain strict neu-
trality in the present conflict. obliged
to refrain from investigating their
or making any comment
in regard to them. The time will come
however, when the truth may be i'm
determined. and when the
judgment OF the world will be passed
upon the charges made by the various
belligerCnts OF violations of the rules
of civilized warfare.
Company Denies ChnrEes
Your ExccIIcncy also states that the
British government have ordered from
the Winchester Repeating Arms Com
panv e0eI0 riot guns" Model 1897. and
N. .un,OO0 'buckshOt cartridges for use in
such guns. This Department saw a pub
hshed statement Of the Winchester Com
pany, tn" correctness Of which the Com
nany has confirmed to tn" Department
by telegraph. In this statement the COM
Dany categurically denies that it has rc-
eived an order for such guns and car
tridges from, or made any sales OF such
n atcriaI to the British Government. or
-n any other government engaged in the
present war.
Your ExrclIpncy further calls attcn- |
ion to information, the accuracy Of |
which is not to be doubted, that $780, |
~ cartridges fitted with mushroom bull |
ITS have Dcen delivered since October |
y this year by the Union Metallic Cart |
idgc Company for the armament of the |
English army
In reply have the honor to refer to |
he letter Of December 10, 1914. of the |
Remington Arms-UniOn Metallic Cart |
'idge Company Of New York to your ex-
called forth by certain news
paper reports of statements alleged to
nave been made by you in regard to the |
;aleS bV that company Of sOft-nosed bull
cts From this letter. a copy of which |
vas sent to this department by the COM
rany, it appears over 117,O0O were manu-
aCtured and 1O9 600 were sold. The letter
urther asserts that these cartridges were
made to supply a demand for a better
porting cartridge with a soft-nosed bull
ct than had been manufactured there
ofore; and that such cartridges cannot
3e used in the military rifles OF any
Oreign power.
VIII SubstantIate Claims.
The company adds that its statements
an be substantiated and that II is
eady to give you any evidence that you
nay require on these points. The de-
,artment is now in receipt from the COM
,any of a complete detailed list of the
PERSONS to whom these cartridges were
old. From this list it appears that the
artridges were sold to firms in lots of
wenty to 1000 and one lot each OF 1900.
900, and 5000 OF these only 900 cartridges
vent to British North America and 100
o British East Africa.
"If. however, you can furnish the de-
,artment with evidence that this or any
,ther company are manufacturing and
elling for the use of the Contending
rmies in Europe cartridges whose use
would contravene The Hague conventions,