New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-12
American Government Is
Accused of Violating
Spirit of Neutrality.
FIGHT ON BLOCKADE
VIEWED AS WEAK
German Embassy Gives Out
COmmuricatiOn-Sale of Arms
to Allies Criticised.
lF-om TN. rrlhun. Bur.ul

y q
country has violated its pledge OF neu-
trality. are contained in the most re-
cent German note TO Washington. It's
text was given out tonight by the
German Embassy and not by the State
Department.
The note suggests TO the United
States that this government has not
made use of the club which it might
hold over the governments Of the Allies
an embargo on the expectation OF
arms and the munitions Of war-to
force Great Britain and France 20 al
low the shipment of foodstufs for the
civil population Of Germany and Aus
tria-Hungsry.
The tone OF the German note has
aroused resentment in official circles,
and the position outlined is regarded
as untenable. An exceedingly unfavor-
able impression has been created by
the statement that the conduct Of the
United States has been contrary 70 the
real spirit of neutrality and the refer
ence 70 the development Of IAN enor.
nous new industry Of war material OF
every kind built up in the United
States as a result OF the war.
United States Accused Of Weakness.
Germany admits the theoretical right
OF the United States 10 manufacture
arms and sell them 10 Germany's ens-
mics, but expresses the opinion tnat
this country has permitted the allied
governments TO override every tenet
of international law governing neutral
trade in non-contrabard goods. The
note holds that the British blockade
order has altered universally tecog-
nized rules of international law, and
intimates that the American govern
ment has been lacking IN forcefulncss
and sincerity.
1t was said tonight that the Amerl-
can answer 10 Germsny's compliant
would 90 forward in less than two
DAYS. The text Of Berlin's note fol-
lows:
Tine different British Orders in Coun-
Gil have altered the universally recog-
nized rules of international law IN such
one-slded manner that they arol-
trarily suppress the trade OF neutral
countries with Germany. Already prior
10 the last Order in Council the ship
ment of conditional contraband, es-
u lallv foodstuffs. 10 Germany was
practically impossible. I'm fact, prior
TO the protest which the American gov
ernment made in London on December
%, 1914. not a single shipment Of such
goods for Germany has been effected
from the United States. Also, after the
lodging of the protest, as far as is
known to the German Embassy, only
one such shipment has been attempted
by ar American skipper. Ship and
cargo were Immediately seized by the
British and are still detained at
British port.
Britain's Acts Criticised.
"As a preteXt for this unwarranted
action, the British government referred
10 decree Of the German Federal
Council concerning the wheat trade, al
though this decree only covered wheat
an -four and no other foodstuifs. al
though imported foodstufs were es-
pecially exempt from this decree and
although the German government had
given all necessary guarantees 10 the
United States government and had even
proposed a special organization IN or
exclusive consumption of the civilian
population.
THE seizure of an American ship un-
der these circumstances was in contra
diction with the recognized principles
of international law. Nevertheless, the
United States government has not yet
obtained the release Of the ship, nor
has il. after eight months Of war, sue
ceeded in safeguarding the legitimate
American trade with Germany Such a
DELAY. especially when the supply OF
foodstuffs is concerned, seems equiya-
lent TO complete failure. IL is there
fore TO be assumed that the United
States government has accepted Eng
lands violations of international law.
Export of Munitions Scored.
Furthermore has to be considered
the attitude of the government OF the
United States concerning the question
Of the expectation OF war material.
The imperial embassy hopes TO agree
with the government of the United
States IN assuming that, with regard
20 the question of neutrality, there -
not only the formal side 20 be consid-
cred. bIt also the spirit IN which neu-
trallty is enforced
Conditions i'm the present war are
different from those In any former
wars. For this reason it is not justi-
fed 10 point at the fact that perhaps IN
former wars Germany furnished bel
ligerents with war material. because In
those former cases the question was
not whether any war material was 20
be furnished 10 the belligerents but
merely which one Of the competing
countries would furnish It.
I'm the present war. with the oXcep-
tIon of the United States. all the coun-
tries capable OF a noteworthy produe-
tion Of war material are either at war
themselve. or completing their arms-
ments. and nave accordingly prohibited
the expectation of war material.
New Industry" Cited.
therefore the United States OF
America is the only country in a posi-
tion TO export war material. This fact
ought to give a new meaning 20 the
idea of neutrality, independent OF the
formal law.
"Instead Of that, and in contradiction
with the real spirit Of neutrality, an
enormous new industry Of war ma
terials Of every kind is being built up
in the United States, inasmuch as not
only the existing plants are kept busy
and enlarged, but also new ones are
continually founded.
"The international agreements for
| the protection OF the right OF neutrals
! originate in the necessity Of protect
ing the existing industries Of the nss-