Arizona republican., 1915-04-22
Secretary Replies to Re- cent Memorandum of Won Bernstorff Which Said Americans Should Stop Exclusive Importation
SAYS NEUTRALITY
 IS MAINTAINED
Declares Relations of the United States With Any One of Belligerents Not Subject of Discussion With Third Government
ASSOCIATED PRESS DIsPArcHI

WASHINGTON, April 21. The United States replied today to the recent memorandum of Count von Bernstorff. the German ambassador, which declared that If the Ameri- | cans desire to observe neutrality they will find a means to stop the ex- elusive importation of arms to one side, or at least to the use of this export trade as a means to uphold legitimate trade with Germany, es- pecially the trade in foodstuffs.' Secretary Bryan signed the Ameri- can note, although the president him. self had finally passed on it. After pointing out the language used by Bernstorff as susceptible of being construed as impugning the good faith of the United States in the performance of it's duties as a neut- ral," the note takes for granted that no such implication is intended and suggests that evidently the ambassa- dor is "laboring under certain false impressions.''
 The note says the published cor respondence between the United States and the allies shows "a stead fast refusal to acknowledge the right of any belligerent to alter the mari time rules now affecting the neut- rals, and declares an embargo on arms would be directly in violation of the neutrality of the United States"
 It is declared the relations of the United States with any one of the belligerents cannot wisely be made the subject of discussion with a third government The note refers . States desires always to manifest to- ward Germany and it's people, and concludes with the declaration that the neutrality of the United States is founded upon the firm basis of conscience and good will.'
 The communication was delivered by d messenger to Count von Bern storff late today by mutual arrange ments with the German embassy and the state department made it public tonight
 The text of the note said in part:
 T have given thoughtful considera- tion to your excellency's note of the fourth of April. enclosing a memoran- dunn of the same date. in which your eXcellency discusses the action of this government with regard to trade bet ween the United States and Ger many, and the attitude of this gov ernment with regard to exportation of arms from the United States to the nations now at war with Ger many.
 q must admit that I am somewhat at a loss how to interpret your ex- Cellency's treatment of these mat ters. There are many circumstances connected with these important sub jects to which I would have expect ed your excellency to advert but of which you make no mention. and there are other circumstances to which you do refer which I would have supposed hardly appropriate for discussion between the government of the United States and the govern ment of Germany.
 q shall take the liberty, therefore, of regarding Your Excellencys ref erence to the course pursued by the government of the United States with regard to interferences with trade from this country such as the government of Great Britain has at tempted, as intended merely to il- lustrate more fully the situation to which you desire to call attention and as an invitation to discuss that course.
 Your eXcellency's long experience in international affairs will have sug- gested to you that the relations of the two governments with one anoth- CT cannot wisely be made a subject of discussion with a third government which cannot be fully informed as to facts