Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-13
German Memorandum" offensive

Q SIMULTANEOUSLY with the publication of
~ the German memorandum" to the
United States government, in which the
kaiser's ambassador attacks severely the
people as well as the administration OF this
country. there printed in the Providence
Journal fiat charges that the embassy is con-
cerned IN Widespread campaign TO create
disafection and dscredit President Wilson.
Whether these charges true or false,
the memorandum" itself is in a tone GER
tain to cause resentment in Washington. It
repeats. in an offensive way, allegations of
the Administrations failure TO observe neu-
trality, which, i'll less irritating way, had
come previously from Berlin, and which had
been answered at length by the Department
Of State.
Count Won Bernstorff complains bitterly
that the United States has not enforced its
protest against British violations Of inter
national law, especially as they regard ex-
tensions Of the list of conditional contraband
and measures taken to prevent German i'm
portations of food supplies. AS the Ameri-
can protests have in every such case been
as firm as language could make them. the
only remaining ways to make them effective
would be to declare war on Great Britain
and her allies. or to decree the embargo on
shipments of arms and munitions Of war. for
which the ambassador so vigorously contends
In the steadfast refusal of this country to
coercion Of Great Britain lies Count Won
Bernstorfs principal grievance. TO support
his argument, he insists that circumstances
are entirely different from those of earlier
cases in which neutrals have furnished arms
to belligerents. This position is forced on
him, because Germany has been in the past
one Of the largest exporters Of munitions to
other countries engaged in war.
1t is scarcely necessary to defend the atti-
hnj
cally it is in exact accord with international
law and is upheld by innumerable precedents
il. the foreign relations OF the United States
H. the German viewpoint. and according to
German insistence, American exports of arms
TO the allies tend to prolong the war. If
these exports were halted. Germany declares
the war would be brought to an end sooner
than it would be otherwise. The only way in
which this could be accomplished would be
by weakening the power of the alies--a re-
suit which in this country is neither desired
nor held to be desirable
TO the minds OF most Americans there is
no violation OF either the letter or the spirit
OF neutrality in the sale of munitions. II is
furthermore most essential TO our own
afety. for should we abandon nsistence on
the principle, we must be prepared hereafter
to wage war with any Of the nations of the
earth, and TO keep on hand a supply of arms
and ammunition adequate to this purpose.
while we maintain also factories capable OF
preserving this supply at its highest level
There appears to be some doubt whether
the Objectionable phraseology and implca-
tons Of Count Won Bernstorff's memorandum
are his own or were inspired by his govern
ment. In the former case it is not unlikely
that a request will be made for his recall
while in the latter the matter will be taken
up directly with the Foreign Office at Berlin.