The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-22
President Answers Recent Memorandum by German Ambassador on American Export Trade
UNWISE FOR THIRD
 POWER TO DISCUSS
 ? NATIONS DEALINGS
Wilson Refuses to Admit
 Good Faith of This C0un- try Has Been Attacked. Defends Neutral Policy
-WOODRON WILSON

Washington, Aprn 2i.-Thc init,d states replied today to thc recent men,- ornndum in which Count Ton nerns- torn. the Gcrmnn abmas>ador. declared that If the American people desire to observe true neutrality they will find means to stop the exclusive ina- norsation of arms io one side or af Ieast to use this export trndc as n 'nenns to uphold the legitimate trade with Germany. especially the trade h foodatuTs..
 The American note, signed by Secre- tary Bryan. was drafted at the state de- partment, but was finally penned by Pres ident Wilson himself. After pointing out that the language used hy Count van Bernstorff 'is susceptible of being eon- strned as mpugning the good faith of the United States in the performance | Of its duties as a neutral" the note
 takes it for granted that no such in- plieation was intended" and suggests that evidently the German ambassador lis la- boring under certain false impressIons.t' It then declares that while tho rela- tons of the United states with any ono of the belligerents cannot wisely be made subject of diecusslpn with third gov ernment,' such correspondence between the United States and the allies as hns been published shows "the steadfast re- susal of the government to acknowledge the right of any belligerent 10 alter tho accepted rules of war as sea insofar as they affect the rights and interests of neutrals.'
 | The attitude of the United States on thu question of expectations of arms Is re- stated; namely, that to place any em- bargo on arms during the progress of a war would be "a direct violation of tho neutrality of the United States" Tho note refers to the spirit of friendship l which the United States desires always to manifest toward Germany. and it's people, and concludes with the declaration that the neutrality Of the United States lis founded upon the firm basis of conscience and good will"
 Text of Note
 The communication was delivered by messenger to Count Von Bernstorff late louity anu py arrangement With the Ger man embassy the state department made it public tonight.
 | The text of the note follows. l "Excellency: 1 have given thoughtful consideration to your eXcelleney's note of April 1, 1915. enclosing memorandum of the same date in which your excel | lency discusses the action of this gov ernment with regard to trade between the i United States and Germany, and the att 1 titude of thls government with regard to [ the eNportation Of arms from the United States to the nations now at war with l Germany.
 "t must admit that l am somewhat at a loss how to interpret your excellency s l treatment of these matters There are | many circumstances connected with these | important subjects to which l would have ! expected your eNeellency to advert, put of which you make no mention. and there are other circumstances to which you do | refer which l would have supposed to be | hardly appropriate for discussion between l the government of the United States and the government of Germany,
 Discussion Not Wise "f shall take the liberty therefore, of regarding your exeellency's reference
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