Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-22

Excellcncy is laboring under certain
false Impressions that ] cannot &c too
explicit In setting forth the facts as
they are. when fully reviewed and COM
pretended.
In the first place. this government
has at no time and in no manner yield
ed any one of its rights as u neutral to
any ono of the present belliEcrentS. II
has acknowledged, as matter of
course, the right of visit and search.
and the right TO apply the rules of
contrabaud OF war To articles OF COM
mcrce. IL hss. indeed insisted upon
the use OF visit and search as an alb
soiutcly necessary safeguard against
Enistakins neutral vessels for vessels
owned by an enemy and against mis-
taking legal carCoes for illegal. II has
admitted also the rirh; OF blockade il
actually exercised. and effectively
maintained. These arc merely the we'll
known limitations which war places
Upon neutral commerce on the high
seas Eut nothing beyond these has
II conceded. ! call Your EXcellcncy's
attention TO this. notwithstanding il is
already known to All ghe world az a
consequence OF the publication OF our
correspondence in regard to thes- mat
ters with several OF the hclliGcr"ut ma
lions because cannot assume that YOU
have official cCunzance OF K.
SOUGHT toN( f.SSlo<S
MERELY As FRIEND
I'm the second place, his government
attempted to secure from the German
and British governments mutual CON
cessions with regard To the measures
these governments respectively adopted
FOR the interruption OF trade on tho
hiGh seas. This il did. not OF right bat
merely as exercising the privileges OF
sincere friend of both parties. and
aS indicating lis impartial good Will
The attempt WAS nnsucCcssfui but I
regret that Your ENcellency did not
deem IL worthy Of mention in modi'-
cation OF the Impressions YOU en-
pressed We had hoped that this act
on your part had shown our spirit in
these times of distressing war rs our
dip!omatiC correspondence had shown
onr steaGfast refusal To acknowledge
the right OF any belligereut to alter
thv accepted rules OF war ri SEA in so
far rs they affect the rights and inter
cets of ueutrals.
II note with sincere regret that in
discussing the sale and expectation of
arms by citizens OF the United States
I" the enemies OF Germany. Your EN-
cheney seems to be under the impress
son that il was within the choice of
tho government OF the United states.
Notwithstanding its profcsScd neu-
;rality. and it's diliScnt efforts to main
Tain il in other particulars. 10 inhibit
manifested an unfair attitude to-
wards Germany. This government
holds, rs believe Your ENcellcncy is
aware. and as IL is constrained to hold
in view of the present indisputablc doc
trines OF accepted international law.
that any change in its own laws Of
neutrality during the progress of a
war which would affect uncuually the
relations OF the United states with the
nations at war would hc an Unjustih
able departure from the principle Of
strict neutrality by which 1t has con
sistcntly sought TO direct it's actions,
and | respectfully submit that none OF
the circumstances urged in Your EN-
ccllencys memorandum alters the
principle involved. The placing Of an
embargo on the trade in arms at the
present time would constitute such Il
change and he direct violation OF the
neutrality uf The United states. III
will. feel assured. be clear 10 Your
Exccllcncy that holding this Wow and
considering itself in honor bound by
it, il is ont OF the question for this
government 10 consider such course.
ANXIOUS To REMOVE
ANY MIST UNDERSTAND
IL hope that Your Exccllency will
realize the spirit in which | am draft
ing this reply. The friendship between
The people of the United States and the
people Of Germany is so warm and of
SNCl LONE SltnUlNS, Lnt tlcS "nlCIi nltu
them to one another in amity arc SO
many and so strong that this govern
-mcut feels under a special compulsion
10 speak with perfect frankncss when
any occasion arises which seems likely
80 create amy MISUNDERSTANDING how
ever, slight or temporary, between those
who represent the governments of tho
TWO countries. II viii bc a matter OF
qualification 10 me If have removed
from Your ENccllcncy's mind any mis-
apprehension You may have been under
l. regarding either the policy or the spirit
Nand purpose OF the government Of tho
2 limited States. It's neutrality IL founded
upon the firm basis OF conscience and
good viii.
Accept. Excellence The renewed as
suramcc OF my highest consideration.
tSiGnedD Nv. j. BRYAN"
At the German embassy 80 comment
was made on the note further than a
statement that il had keen transmitted
TO tho Foreign oniC2 N Berlin. and
that as 1t WAS a reply from. the Amcri-
can government to u communication
from the German government, the cm
bassy was without authority TO say
anything until il was Instructed 10 do