Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-22
Not Subject of Discussion.

The answer explains that the rela-
tons of the United States with any of
the belligerents cannot wisely be DIS
cussed with a third government, ana
saws that the ambassadors note refers
TO circumstances which the united
states would have supposed hardly ap-
propriate for discussion between the
two governments.
The language employed by the ann
bassador in his memorandum, the note
says, lis susceptible of being construed
as impugning the good faith OF the
United States in the performance of its
duties as a neutral" but the American
reply takes 1T for granted that no
such implication was intended, and
adds that evidently the ambassador is
laboring under certain false impress
sions.'
The note emphasizes the strong ties
of friendship between the United states
and Germany, and points out that the
neutrality of the United States is
founded upon the firm basis OF con-
science and good will
Text of the Note.
The text of the note follows:
"Excel1ency:
Il have given thoughtful considera
ton to your excellency's note of the 4th
of April. 1915, inclosing a memoran-
excellency discusses the action of this
government with regard to trade be-
tween the United States and Germany,
and the attitude of this government
with regard to the expectation of arms
from the United States to the nations
now at war with Germany.
II must admit that l am somewhat
at loss now to interpret your excel
lency's treatment of these matters.
There are many circumstances con-
which 1 would have expected your ex-
cel1ency to advert, but of which you
make no mention, and there are other
circumstances to which you do refer
which I would have supposed to be
hardly appropriate for discussion be-
tween the government of the United
States and the government of Ger
many.
Il shall take the liberty, therefore,
of regarding your excellercy's refer
ences to the course pursued by the gov
eminent of the United States with re-
gard to interferences with trade from
this country such as the government of
Great Britain have attempted as intend
ed merely to illustrate more fully the
situation to which you desire to call our
attention and not as an invitation to
discuss that course
Your excellency's long experience
in international affairs will have
suggested to you that the relations or
the two governments with one another
cannot wisely be made subject of
discussion with a third government.
which cannot be fully informed as to
the facts and which cannot be fully
rognizant of the reasons for the course
pursued. / believe. however, that i am
justified in assuming that what you
desire to call forth is a frank state
,nent of the position of this govern
ment in regard to it's obligations as a
neutral power. The general attitude
and course of policy OF this govern
ment in the maintenance of its neu-
trality / am particularly anxious that
your excellency should see in their
true light. / had hoped that this gov
ernment's position in these respects
had been made abundantly clear, but l
am. of course, perfectly willing to state
il again.
This seems to me the more necessary
and desirable because. I regret to say.
the language which your excellency