West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-04-29
The American Answer


government OF the United StaAes by
the German ambassador on n bril-
was hardly diplomatic note. II was
more than critical. II was censdF ious.
Its tone was graver than that OF COM
plant, for II had the flavor OF dicta-
ton.
III Count Won Bernstorfr or his SUI
periors have entertained the thought
that they might. by the misuse OF the
resources OF diplomacy, promote the
political ends OF German party I'm
this country, it is probable, now that
the American reply to their imperti-
nent, IL not impudent, deliverance is
in hand, that they have learned their
mistake.
Following the evil example of some
subsidized publications in New York
and elsewhere, Count Won Bernstorff
sought TO instruct us in true neutla-
ity." He told us that we Should find
means" to stop the exclusive exporta-
ton OF arms to the allies. He said
that existing conditions at sea as they
relate to our commerce in arms "are
in no way modified" by our purely
theoretical willingness TO furnish Ger
many as well, IL IL were possible. /"
He lectured the United States for its
failure to bring Great Britain to terms
for interfering with our ships and car
goes of foodstuffs consigned to Ger
many. He cited our action in Mexico
as precedent for an embargo upon
all shipments of arms to Europe. and
intimated that 1t was our duty as a
neutral, by coercion of one kind or an
other, to compel Great Britain to re-
lax Its blockade OF German ports.
In plain English, what did this
mean? 1t meant that Germany asked.
perhaps commanded, the United States
as neutral power to forego industry
and trade in munitions of war, always
recognized as lawful and never engag-
ed in so extensively by any other ma
ton as Germany
1t meant that instead of being neu-
trail we should declare ourselves en-
ergetically on the side OF the German
Turkish alliance.
1t meant that we should adopt a
policy which, IL successful, would null
lily the sea-power of Great Britain to
the advantage of Germany, Austria
and Turkey, opening their harbors and
giving them practical control of the
seas without risking one of their
| clustered battleships.
1t meant a reversal of international
law on our part as complete as that
effected by Germany in Belgium or by
Germany's submarine warfare upor
the shipping of neutrals.
To all of this arrogance and as
sumption the American note gives 6
hitting answer. The government o.
the United States will not discus.
with Germany its relations will
Great Britain and Mexico. The gov
eminent of the United States has no
yielded one of it's rights as a neutral
On the contrary 1t has maintained
and will maintain every such right as
against all belligerents. The govern.
ment OF the United States will place
no embargo upon arms, for such q
| course would be an "unjustifiable de-
parture from neutrality" Finally, the
| government of the United States takes
exception to the language of the gov.
eminent OF Germany, or it's agents
which may be construed as "impugn-
ing the good faith of the United
| States"
Whatever misapprehension or folly
may have inspired Count Won Bern.
storff's memorandum, the answer Il
has received cannot fail to make &
profound impression throughout tn,
world. The government of the Uni
ted States speaks in this instance a.
true Americans would have it speal
on all occasions-with dignity. will
pride, with patience and with friend
illness, but with firm faith in its indie
pendence, its rights. its power and the
absolute rectitude of its conduct
NV York World.