The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-04-10

COMPLAINS
THAT UNITED STATES HAS Ac-
MANps ON ENerSND
Regarding Right to Ship Food to Ger
many-Note objects 70 Sending
Munitions to Allies.

WASHINGTON, April 9.-Germany
has sent to'the United States govern
ment note complaining that the
latter has accomplished nothing in its
diplomatic correspondence with the
allies TO obtain for German exporters
the right TO ship foodstuffs to the
civilian population OF a belligerent
country. The communication inti-
Inmates also that the United States
has virtually acquiesced in the Brit
ish order in council prohibiting COM
merce with Germany.
In view OF these Considerations, the
German government then calls at
tention TO the fact that the allies
daily are obtaining large Shipments
OF arms and ammunition from dealers
In the United States. and declares
that the American government. while
insisting on its legal right TO ship
arms to belligerents. does not with
equal energy pursue fits right to ship
foodstuffs and non-contraband ar
teles TO the civilian population OF
Germany.
The note urges that Irrespective OF
the formal aspects OF the question OF
shipping arms TO belligerenta the
spirit Of neutrality should be observed.
In support OF this contention. a quota
tion Is cited from President wilson's
address to Congress on Mexicon af-
fairs in August, 1913. when he said:
Quotes Wilson.
II shall follow the best practice OF
nations In tho matter OF neutrality by
forbidding the expectation OF arms or
munitions OF war OF any kind from
the United States to any part OF the
republic OF Mexico-a policy suggested
by several interesting .precedents and
certainly dictated by many manifest
considerations Of practical expedi-
ency. We cannot, I'm the circum-
stances, be partisans of either party
n hn a
leo. OF constitute ourselves the virtual
umpire between them"
Ofhcials of the State Department
have begun the preparation OF a reply
which will be delivered shortly to
Count Won Bernstroff. the German am
bassador here. The complaint that
neutral countries had submitted to the
influence Of the allies in connection
with the right to ship conditional con
traband and fOOdstuffs TO the civilian
population OF a beliigerent has been
made before by Germany in her dlplo-
matte notes-this being cited by the
German foreign Office as one OF the
reasons for proclaiming a submarine
war zone OF the waters surrounding
Great Britain and Ireland.
The United states denied In the re-
ply then that Il had been silent on the
question. and called attention to its
diplomatic notes TO Great Britain deal
Jus WIN NAFHf NNNNfNNH
Vigorous Denial.
II Is understood that the reply 10 the
present complaint will deny vigorous
ly that this government has acqui-
eFced IN any way 20 the order IN cOun-
cil. and probably will refer 10 the last
note sent By the United States 10
Great Britain arguing at length It's
opposition 20 the viewpoint OF the al
lies on the blockade question.
As for the utterances Of the Presi-
dent on the shipment Of arms into
Mexico. officials here hold that the
Mexican situation constitutes a spe-
cial case. In no way comparable with
the relations between the United
States and the European beiligerenta.
Officials pointed out that the Presi-
dent said In the same address 70 Con
greas.
II deen u my duty 20 exercise the
authority conferred upon me BY the
law Of March ~, 1912. 20 SEQ 10 DO
that neither side 20 this struggle now
going on IN Mexico receive any assist
ance from thN side of the border