New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-10
HOW GERMANY REGARDS US
With Little Fear, but Growing In
tensity of Dislike.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: enclose for publication letter from
German friend which | think, throws
very clear light on the feeling in Germany
with regard to the United States.
New York June 7, 1915. ~ W.
II YOU were in Germany now you would,
indeed, be astonished how little good feeling
there is left toward our transatlantic FRIENDS.
would not like to repeat the terms which
most people now choose to express thor
opinion of the neutrality" Of America. No
doubt many conclusions are hasty and most
people unjust. But you cannot expect those
whose brothers, husbands and fathers are
being killed and mutilated by American shei's
to make great efforts to see your point of
view. You see we all know that American
ammunition is used almost exclusively ny our
enemies on the west front, that it is lar
superior to that which the French and even
the English are able to make themselves, and
we feel sure that this war would have ended
by now on account of lack of ammunition If
il were not for your valuable assistance to
the Allies. That is speaking only of ammu-
milton for artillery, and saying nothing about
other arms probably as we'll as contraband,
like gun carriages, cavalry saddles and the
like
Mr. Bryan is right, and undoubtedly is sin
cere in his Interpretation Of existing laws.
But the politest thing we, who are beirg
shelled with that unwholesome ammunition
of yours, can say about it is: Don't ask us
what we think of a nation that has framed
its laws from a commercial viewpoint only
When we read the American affrmations
of neutrality we reason like this: II the
U. S. A. declared war on us and joined the
Allies they could scarcely help our enemies
any more than they do, and surely could do
us no greater harm from military view
point than they are doing now. If you joined
the English, French and Russians we would,
of course, lose millions and millions invested
in your country, also many ships; would have
TO feed the Belgians and Poles entirely our
selves, and so on. But that would not alter
anything in the ultimate outcome of tn" war
You could not land any army that would
bring the decision. Your feet, powerful as
il is, could do no more than the even greater
British fleet is doing now. You would not
supply more, but probably less ammunition
of war to the Allies, as going to war yourself
you would begin by creating large supplies
for your own use.
That is why we ran 10 uhueis'anu 'nT "So'
trality of the United States. That IS why
those who know America and valued the
friendship that existed between our coun-
tries cannot save our relations from hecom-
ing cstranged There will be no boycott OF
American goods, no demonstrations in front
Of YOUR embassy, but the Germans of to-day
will Judge America from their experience
during the war. They will not forget. Some
dav we will treat you as you have treated us,
and YOU will remember that you have no
reason TO complain
Notwithstanding, | have always tn. sane
high opinion of my own friends in America,
and want you to know that | always will be
most sincerely yours.
BERNHARD w. BULOW
Nav 10l5