The Washington times., 1915-04-22
Embargo Note Carries
Rebuke TO Ambassador
Diplomatic Reply to German Ambassador Resents
Questioning of Neutrality and Takes Firm
Stand as to Rights and Duties Toward
Begerents.

state Department opinion is divided
today on the matter Of n possible Ger
man rejoinder to Secretary of state
Bryans note of reply to the German
memorandum on the export OF arms,
addressed to the Eaiser's ambassador.
The State Departments communica-
ton was essentially a reply to COM
munication initiated by the German
government, but whether the depart
ment's reply will elicit a further state
ment of the German attitude cannot be
pre- edicted.s
The American reply undoubtedly ac-
cuses the German foreign office OF bad
diplomatic taste, II nothing eise' al
though 1t was addressed only to Am
bassador Won Bernstorff.
Though carefully couched In diplo-
matte phrase, the note of the state De
partment Is considered sharp notice
to Germany that 1t resents haV.ns i.s
good faith as neutral impueneo; .nst
Il dislikes the tone of the German COM
munication; that 1t is proceeding IN per-
fcctly legal manner with respect 10
the export, of arms and that 1t con
siders improper the statements OF inc
amba ssador with respect to relations
Britain.
Prepared Dy IICSiuC"s'
The note is comparatively brief. 1t
Is signed by Secretary Bryan but was
not prepared by him. President wilson.
with the aid of Counselor Lansing, OF
the State Department, drew 1t.
Apart from the language OF tne nots
itself the State Department took ooca-
sion to give Ambassador Won Bernstorn
a reminder Of the diplomatic proprietics.
The German note was made pupilc
without notice to TINS Government. IN
the case Of the American note in reply.
the German embassy was advised con-
cerning the desire to make the note
public. and it's consent was obtained;
Though the expectation of this Gov
ernment Is that there will be no other
Icorrespondence along this line, 1t is rec
ognized as possible that the German
government will not desire to drop the
subject.
International Interest.
international interest has attached to
the American reply, because the often
sivc tone of the German memorandum
cccasioned international comment and
there was some hint of a demand for
the recall of Ambassador Won Bern
storff.
ir the course of the reply. the am
bassador is reminded that he has
brought up some matters which are IN
appropriate for him to raise. and he Is
told that the United States Govern
ment regrets that he has used language
which may be construed as impugning
the good faith of the United States az
neutral
At the German embassy it was stated
/ that the American reply was forwarded
| to the German foreign ofice. and tha'
the embassy could not discuss the terms
! of the communication There is
strong belief that Germany has beer
''set right" on the American attitud'
concerning arms shipments to belltger
er is. and that no further diplomatic
discussion will arise.
Diplomatic experts agreed that tht
| American reply was masterpiece o.
! dignity and firmness. and that deli
cate situation had been handled we'll II
the reply.
Text of Note.
Here is the text of the note:
Il have given thoughtful considera
tion to your eXcellency's note or tn
4th of April, 1915, inclosing a mem
orandum of the same date, in whicl
| your cXcellency discusses this actor
of this Government with regard to trad
| between the United States and Ger
many, and the attitude Of this Govern
arms from the United States to the ma
tons now at war with Germany.
Il must admit that l am somewha
at loss how to interpret your ex
There are many circumstances con
nected with these | important subject
to which ] would have expected you
eNcellency to advert, but of which yo
make no mention. and there are othe
circumstances to which you do. refe
which I would have supposed to b
hardly appropriate for discussion be
tween the Government of the Unite
States and the government of Ger
many.
Il shall! take the liberty, therefore
of regarding your eXcellency's refer
ences to the course pursued by the Gov
ernment of the United States with re
gard to interferences with trade fror
this country such as the government o
Great Britain have attempted. as in
tended merely to illustrate more full
the situation to which you desire t
call our attention. and not as an invl
tation to discuss that course.
Obligations AS Neutral.
Your excellenCy'c long experience /
International affairs will have suggeste
to you that the relations of the tw
Governments with one another canno
wisely be made a subject of discussio
with third government, which cannc
be fully informed as to the facts. an
which cannot be fully cognizant Of tn
reasons for the course pursued. l be
lieve however, that | am justified in as
suming that what you desire to ca
forth Is a frank statement of the pos
ton of this Government in regard to il
obligations as a neutral power.
The general attitude and course {
policy OF this Government in the maiT
tenance of its neutrality | am particr
larly anxious that your eXcellenc
| should see in their true light ha