Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-22
Susceptible of Being Con-
strued as Impugning
Good Faith of u. S.
REPLIES TO MEMORANDUM
OF GERMAN AMBASSADOR
Suggests That Foreign Envoy
Evidently "Is Laboring Under
Certain False Impressions"
ANSWER PENNED BY WILSON
Nations Neutrality Founded Upon
Firm Basis Of Conscience and
Good Will.

WASHINGTON. April 21.-The United
States replied to-day to tho recent
memorandum in which Count Won
BcrnstorH. the German amba ssador
declared that "f the American people
desire to observe true neutrality, they
will find means to stop the exclusive
importation of arms to one side. or at
least to use this export trade as
means to uphold the Legitimate trade
with Germany. especially the trade in
foodstufs."
The American note. signed by Secre-
tary Bryan. was drafted at the State
Department, but finally was penned by
President Wilson himself. After point
Ing out that the language used by
Count Won Bcrnstorn "is susceptible of
being construed as impugning the
good faith OF the United States in the
performance OF it's duties as neu-
trail, the note takes it for granted
that no such implication was intended"
and suggests that evidently the Ger
man ambassador us laboring under
certain false Impressions"
NO RIGHT TO ALTER
ACCEPTED RULES OF WAR
1t then declares that. while the rela-
tions of the United States with any
one of the belligerents Cannot wisely
be made n subject of discussion with
n third government" such correspon-
dencc between the United States and
the allies as has been published shows
| the steadfast refusal" of the Ameri-
can government Ito acknowledge the
right of any belligercnt to alter the
accepted rules of war at sea. in so far
| as they affect the rights and interests
| of neutrals."
The nf TT,,tta
the question OF expectations of arms
is restated--namely, that to place any
embargo on arms during the progress
of war would be ''a direct violation
OF the neutrality of the United States"
Inc note refers to the spirit of friend
| ship which the United States desires
always to manifest toward Germany
and its people, and concludes with the
| declaration that the neutrality OF the
United States is founded upon the
! hrin basis Of conscience and good will"
The communication was delivered by
| messenger to Count Won Bernstorfr late
| to-day, and, ny arrangement with the
German embassy, the State Depart
| ment made it public to night
TEXT OF BRYAN REPLY
I TO GERMAN AMBASSADOR
| The text Of the note follows:
| l;Xcellcncy,-I have given thought
| ful consideration to Your EXcellency's
| note of the ith Of April, 1915. inclosing
memorandum OF the same date, in
winch Your Excellency discusses the
| action of this government with regard
| TO trade between the United States and
! Germany. and the attitude OF this gov
ernment with regard to the exporta-
tion or arms from the United States to
the nations now at war with Germany
L must admit that l am somewhat
| at loss how to interpret Your Ex-
| cellency's treatment OF these matters.
| There are many circumstances con-
nected with these important subjects
! to which ! would have expected Your
! ENcellency to advert, but of which Won
make no mention, and there are other
circumstances to which you do refer
which would have supposed TO be
| hardly appropriate for discussion be-
tween the government Of the United
| states ana the government OF Ger
many.
Il shall take the liberty, therefore,
OF regarding Your EXccllcncy's refer
enccs to the course pursued by the
government OF the United States with
| regard to interferenccs with trade
from this country, such us the govern
ment OF Great Britain have attempted
as intended merely TO Illustrate more
iuily the situation to which you de-
sire to call our attention. and not as
an invitation to discuss that course.
Your EXcellcncy's long experience i'm
| international affairs will have sug-
sested to you that tho relations OF the
two governments with one another
| cannot wisely be made Il subject OF
| discussion with third government.
which cannot be fully Informed as to
| the facts. and which cannot be fully
cognizant OF the reasons for the course
pursued l believe. however. that L
| am justified In assuming that what you
desire to call forth Is a frank state
mcnt OF the position of this govern
ment in regard to its obligations as n
neutral power. The general attitude
and course OF policy OF this govern
mcnt In the maintenance OF its neu-
trality, | am particularly anxious that
Your Excellency should see In their
true light.
WILLING AGAIN TO STATE
GOVERNMENTS POSITION
Il had hoped that this sovernments
position =, these respects had been
made abundantly clear. but l. am, OF
course. perfectly willing to state II
again. This seems TO me the more
necessary and desirable because, [ re-
gret TO say, the language which Your.
ENcellency employs in your memoran-
DUN is susceptible OF being construed
az impugninG the good faith OF the
United States In the performance OF
IT'S duties as neutral. take {, for
granted that no such implication wan
intended, but II is go evident that Your