The Washington herald., 1915-07-21
Meyer-Gerhard Urges Germany
To Preserve u. S. Friendship
Unfortunate Misunderstanding Of National Ideals at Bottom
of Controversy, Won Bernstorfs
Envoy Writes.

cepted and filled in the United States.
However, l have the impression that
in. Germany one is inclined to mistake
the amount of ammunition ordered for
the amount actually supplied. Thus
far a not very large part of the sup
plies ordered have been delivered.
Naturally, the assistance rendered
our enemies in the shape of ammuni-
ton has cooled down the friendly feel
ing that previously existed for Ameri-
cans in Germany. The extraordinary
extent of these orders, the reconstruc-
ton of entire factories for the pur-
pose Of making the supply of all this
ammunition possible, must be deeply
regretted by all those who have had
the friendly relations between Ger
many and the United States at heart.
ITO properly Judge the American
people. however. it must be remem-
bered that an overwhelming majority
view this supply of ammunition with
disfavor.
Against Ammunition Selling.
II was assured that IL the matter were
put TO a public vote the ma ority of the
American people would declare them
selves against this supply OF ammunition.
Pre-eminently there are certain circles of
business men who are unwilling to miss
the revenues to be derived from the sale
OF arms and ammunition. Their attitude
Is regrettable in the interests of
friendly relationship between Germany
and America.
I'VE Germans. however should not
make the mistake of confusing the large
ma jority of the American people who
are in no way concerned with the supply
of ammunition with these business men
in question.
But just as we Germans feel offended
at the friendliness OF large part Of the
American people for England. so there
are many circles in the United States
who feel justified in being indignant at
Germany because of the treatment OF
Belgium, because of the danger menac-
ing the peace of the world through Ger
man militarism and because Of the vio-
lent death Of American citizens. owing to
the sinking Of the Lusitania.
The German finds 1t difficult to under
stand this viewpoint, for he knows that
Belgium long ago. before the German
armies ever entered Belgian territory.
had forgone the right of neutrality
through previous agreements with Ger
msny's enemies He knows that German
militarism is nothing more than the Ger
man people in arms. organized for the
protection OF their independence and free
dom.
I'm the case of the Lusitania we are
unable to understand why American citi-
zens should have deemed 1t necessary
to place themselves in danger by board
ing an English vessel. But he who has
lived In America during the war knows
that in these questions the world of Ideas
OF large circles OF the American populace
is governed by other assumptions and
progresses differently than in Germany.
Convinced A. to the Right.
TT would not be opportuns to in
vestigate here how II has been posi-
Bile for such conceptions to have been
born on the other side Of the Atlantic
Ocean. But we Germans should not
overlook the fact that such concep-
lions prevail among the American peo-
pie, and that the parties fostering
these conceptions are convinced that
they are in the right in supporting
their viewpoint, SO different from ours.
1T is the same with them in this
question as il is with the German peo-
pie in the question Of believing them
selves to be injured by America. If,
however, each nation subjectively be-
lieves itself to be in the right, the
question arises, what would be the
best means of effecting COMPROMISED
The answer cannot be doubtful
Germany and the United States of
America have thus far continued in
peace and friendship. No country has
contributed so much to the uplift OF
the population OF the United States as
Germany. Political or economic con-
trasts Of any systematic Significance
do not exist between the two coun-
tries. 1t IL therefore merely a ques-
ton of misunderstanding such as are
also likely to occur between two
friends.
mo cool-headed man will light
heartedly sacrifice friendship of many
years standing just because for once
he cannot agree with q friend. And
no also cautious nations will act. The
frie ndship between Germany and
America is a precious possession for
both nations. and II Is truly worth
whtia TO look after its preservation