New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-22
GERMANY GETS
YELLED REBUKE
Continued from page !

setting forth the facts as they are,
when fully reviewed and comprehended.
an the first place, this government
has at no time and in no manner yielded
any one Of its rights as neutral TO
any one Of the present belligerents:
II ha acknowledged, as a matter OF
course, the right of visit and search
and the right to apply the rules Of con-
traband of war to articles OF commerce.
II has, indeed, insisted upon the use
of visit and search as an absolutely nee
essary safeguard against installing
neutral vessels for vessels owned by
any enemy, and against mistaking legal
cargoes for illegal.
4 Few Reminders.
at has admitted also the right Of
blockade. if actually exercised and ef-
fectively maintained. These are mere
~ the well known limitations which
war places upon neutral commerce on
the high seas. But nothing beyond this
has il conceded. call your Excellency's
attention to this, notwithstanding it ia
already known TO all the world as
consequence of the publication of our
correspondence in regard to these mat
ters with several of the belligerent ma
tions, because | cannot assume that
you have official cognizance of It.
"In the second place, this govern
ment attempted to secure from the
German and British governments
mutual concessions with regard to the
measures those governments respec-
lively adopted for the interruption Of
trade on the high seas. This it did, not
of right, but merely as exercising the
privileges of a sincere friend Of both
parties and as indicating its impartial
goodwill. The attempt was unsuccess-
full, but ! regret that your excellency
did not deem il worthy of mention in
modification Of the Impressions you ex-
pressed. We had hoped that this act
on our part had shown our spirit in
these times of distressing war, as our
diplomatic corresp ondence had shown
our steadfast refusal to acknowledge
the right of any belligerent to alter
the accepted rules Of war at sea in so
far as they affect the rights and inter-
ests Of neutrals.
Under Erroneous Impression.
ain the third place, note with sim
cere regret that in discussing the sale
and expectation of arms by citizens OF
the United States TO the enemies OF
Germany your excellency seems TO be
under the impression that IL was with
in the choice of the government Of the
United States, notwithstanding its pro-
fessed neutrality and its diligent eff
forts to maintain II in other particu-
lars, TO inhibit this trade, and that It's
failure TO do so manifested an unfair
attitude toward Germany.
This government holds, as ! believe
your excellency is aware, and as II is
constrained to hold in view of the
present indisputable doctrines Of ac-
cepted international law, that any
change in its own laws of neutrality
during the progress Of q war which
would affect unequally the relations OF
the United States with the nations at
war would be an unjustifiable depart
ure from the principle of strict nel-
trality by which it has consistently
sought to direct its actions, and | re-
specially submit that none of the cir
cumstances urged in your excellency's
memorandum alters the principle in
volved. The placing of an embargo on
the trade in arms at the present time
would constitute such change and be
a direct violation of the neutrality of
the United States. j will, feel as
sured, be clear to your excellency that,
holding this view and considering itself
in honor bound by il. IL is out of the
question for this government 70 con-
slider such a course.
Speaks with Perfect Frankness.
81 hope that your excellency 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
such long standing, the ties which bind
them 20 one another in amity are so
many and so strong that this govern
ment feels under q special compulsion
10 speak with perfect frankness when
any occasion arises which seems likely
TO create any Misunderstanding, how
ever slight or temporary, between those
who represent the governments OF the
two countries. It will be a matter OF
gr tifcation 70 me if | have removed
from your excellency's mind any mis-
apprehension you may have been under
regarding either the policy or the spirit
and purposes OF the government of the
United States. Its neutrality is founded
upon the firm basis of conscience and
goodwill.
Accept, excellency, the renewed as
surances of my highest consideration.
(Signed) "W. J. BRYAN"
At the German Embassy no comment
rs made on the note further than a
statement that IL had been transmitted
10 the Foreign Office in Berlin, and that
as II was a reply from the American
government 10 a communication from
the German government, the embassy
was without authority 10 say anything
until instructed TO do SO,