South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-22
Answer to Count Won Bern
StOrff'S Attack on Neutrality
Politely But Firmly ReaS-
SertS Course.
BELIEVE REPLY CLOSES
DIPLOMATIC INCIDENT
Many Subjects Protested by
German Ambassador Are
Declared to Be Issue Be-
tween England and America.

WASHINGTON, April 22-Excep-
tiOn to Germany's criticism of the for
eign policies of the United States was
contained in polite note which Secy
Bryan has submitted to Count Won
BernstOrff, the German ambassadors.
This governments reply 70 the Ger
man note fatty denies that the United
States has yielded any of its rights or
otherwise acquiesced in British inter
ference with legitimate American
trade with Germany Although signed
by SeC'Y Bryan. the note bears unmiS-
taxable evidence of Pres't Wilson's
composition. The phraseOlogy is in
disputably WilsOnian
The diplomatic incident created by
the attack of Count Won Bernstorff
on the neutrality of the United States
was regarded today as closed in ad-
miniStratiOn circles.
1t was said that the reply of this
government contained all this govern
ment had TO say. Officials were con
tident also that there would be no
reply from the German government.
1t is held that although the note of
Pres't Wilson sets forth clearly the
views of this government il gives no
offense and the declaration that the
questions raised by the ambassadO.
related to matters solely concerning
Great Britain and leaves no ground
for a controversy with Germany.
The note, it was said by officials
uphOldS the dignity OF the United
States and at the same time refrains
from giving offense to Germany. For
this reason, ii was believed by persons
close to the administration. that the
Germans will have no excuse for re-
ViVing the issue.
The German embassy continued ST.
lent, the statement being made that
there lis absolutely nothing TO be
said"
Here's Text of Note.
Following is the text OF the United
States note:
Il have given thoughtful consid-
Grafton TO your eXcellency's note of
the fourth of April. 1915. inclosing
memorandum of the same date in
which your, eXcellency discusses the
action Of this government with regard
TO trade between the United States
and Germany. and the attitude of this
government with regard TO the ex-
portation OF arms from the United
States to the nations now at war with
Germany.
81 must admit that I am somewhat
at a loss how 10 interpret your eX-
cellencyS treatment OF these matters.
There are many circumstances con
nected with these important subjects
TO which / would have expected your
eXcellency to advert, but of which you
make no mention, and there are other
circumstances to which YOU do
refer TO which ! would have supposed
to be hardly appropriate for discus
sion between the government Of the
United States and the government of
Germany.
Il shall take the liberty, therefore.
of regarding your eXcellency's refer
enCeS TO the course pursued by the
government of the United States with
regard to interferences with trade
from this country such as the govern
ment of England has attempted. 5
intended merely to illustrate more
fully the situation TO which you desire
to call our attention. and not as an
invitation to discuss thta course.
Il had hoped that this governments
position in these respects had been
made abundantly clear. but / am. of
course, perfectly willing to state IL
again. This seems 10 me the more
necessary and desirable because, I re-
gret 10 say, the language which your
eXcellency employs in your memOran-
dunn is susceptible Of being construed |
as impugning the good faith of the |
United States in the performance of I
its duties as a neutral.
Il take il for granted that no such |
implication was intended but il is so !
evident that your excelency is labor /
ing under certain false impressions I
that l cannot be too explicit in setting 4
forth the facts. as they are. when fully I
reviewed and cOmprehended
I'm the first place, this government :
has at no time and in no manner 4
yielded any one of it's rights a. d 4
neutral TO any one of the present bel /
ligerents.
1T has acknowledged as a matter. 4
of course, the right of visit and search 4
and the right To apply the rules OF l
coatraband OF war TO articles Of COM /
merce. IL has, indeed. insisted upon 4
the use of visit and search as an ab- l
necessary safeguard against /
mlstaking neutral vessels for vessels /
owned by an enemy and again mis-
taking legal cargoes for illegal.