Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-25

while Germany has no such coaling
facilities. Thus II is intimated the
United States should balance the in
equalities of geographical position by
refusal to allow amy warships of bel
liGcrents to coal in the canal until the
war liz over. AS no German warship
has sought to obtain coal In the Canal
Zone. the charge of discrimination
! rests upon II possibility which during
several months OF warfare has failed
to matcrializc.
GOVERNED BY EXISTING RULES
OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
"Uo) Failure to protest against tho
notifications of the Declaration OF
London by the British government.
The German Foreign Office pre-
sentcd to the diplomats in Berlin
memorandum dated october 10, calling
attention to violations of, and changes
in, the Declaration of London by the
British government. and inquiring as
to the attitude OF the United States
toward such action on the part of the
allies. The substance of the memo
randum was forthwith telegraphed to
the department on October %, and
was replied to shortly thereafter, to
the effect that tho United States had
withdrawn it's suggestion, made early
in the war. that for the sake of uni
| formity, the Declaration of London
should be adopted as Il temporary code
Of naval warfare during the present
war. owing to the unwilllngness OF the
belligerents to accept the declaration
! without changes and notifications,
! and that thenceforth the United States
would insist that the rights OF the
United States and it's citizens in the war
should be governed by the existing
rules of international law.
AS this government Is not now in
! terested In the adoption of the Decla-
ration OF London by the belligerents,
IN No. h,yt 1,n hall tvar 20, in,
/ that code of naval warfare are of no
concern to it except as they adversely
affect the rights of the United States
! and those of it's citizens as defined by
International law. In far as those
! rights have been infringed the de-
, partmcnt has made every effort to OBJ
tain redress for the losses sustained
MARKETS OF COUNTRY
ARE OPEN TO ALI.
"(2o) General unfriendly attitude OF
| government toward Germany and Aus
| tria.
III any American citizens. partisans
, OF Germany ana Austria Hungary, feel
| that this administration Is acting in q
way injurious to the cause of those
countries, this feeling results from the
/ fact that on the high seas the German
and Austro- Hungarian naval power is
/ thus far inferior to the British. 1t is
! the business OF Il belligcrent operating
! on the high seas, not the duty of IA
| neutral. to prevent ccntraband from
| reaching an enemy. Those in this
country who sympathize with Germany
and Austria Hungary appear to as
sumo that some obligation rests upon
this government, in the performance
! or It's neutral duty, to prevent all trade
/ in contraband and thus to eQualize the
: difference due to the relative naval
strength OF the belligercnts. No such
obligation exists: il would he an un-
neutral act, an act of Partially on the
part of this government, to adopt such
a policy II the executive had the power
to do so. If Germany and Austria
hungary cannot import yontraband
from this country, it ls nor. because of
that fact, the duty of the United States
to close it's markets to tho allies. The
markets OF this country are open upon
equal terms to all the world. to every
| nation, belllEerent or neutral.
The foregoing categorical replies to
| specific complaints is sufficient an
swer to the charge of unfricndliness
to Germany and Austria Hungary.
Il am. my dear Senator,
Very sincerely yours.
tSiEned) wv. j. BRYAN"