Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-12
Arms to Germany Enemies

The ambassador, in his complaint,
informs the United States that, con-
trary to the real spirit of neutrality,
an enormous new industry of war ma
terial of every kind is being built up
in this country and that this is sup
plying only Germany's enemies, fact
which is in no way modified by the
purely theoretical willingness to fur
nish Germany as we'll, If it were pos
sible."
Text of Memorandum
The text Of the memorandum fol-
lows:
1.-THE different British Orders-in-
Council have altered the universally
recognized rules of international law
in such a one-sided manner that they
arbitrarily suppress the trade on neu-
trail countries with Germany. Already
prior to the last Order-in- Council, the
shipment Of conditional contraband,
especially foodstuffs, to Germany was
practically impossible. In fact, prior
to the protest which the American gov
eminent made in London on Dec. rs,
1914, nto a single shipment of such
goods for Germany has been effected
from the United States. Also, after
the lodging Of the protest, as far as is
known to the German embassy, only
one such shipment has been attempted
by an American skipper. Ship and
cargo We're Immediately seized by the
British and are still detained at a
British port. AS pretext for this I'M
warranted action, the British govern
70 re fIo
man federal council concerning the
wheat trade, although this decree on
ly covered wheat and flour and no
other foodstuffs, although imported
foodstuffs were especially exempted
from this decree and although the
German government had given all ne
cessary guarantees to the United
States government and had even pro.
posed a special organization in order
to secure these foodstuffs for the ex-
elusive consumption of the civilian
population.
THE seizure Of an American ship
under these circumstances was in
contradiction with the recognized prin-
ciples of International law. Neverthe-
less the United States government has
not yet obtained the release of tho
ship, nor has it after eight months Of
war succeeded in safeguarding the le-
climate grain trade with Germany.
Such delay, especially when the sup
ply Of foodstuffs is concerned, seems
equivalent to complete failure. 1t is,
therefore, to be assumed that the Unit
ed States government has accepted
England's violations of international
law.
Considering Spirit
Furthermore there has to be con-
sidered the attitude Of the United
States concerning the question Of ex-
portation of war material. The I'M
perial embassy hopes to agree with
the government Of the United States
in assuming that with regard to the
question Of neutrality there is not only
the formal side to be considered but
also the spirit in which neutrality Is
enforced.
Conditions in the present war ara
different from those in any former
wars. For. this reason, it is not justi-
fled to point to the fact that perhaps
in former wars Germany furnished
belligerents with war material; be-
cause; in those former cases the ques.
ton was not whether any war ma
terial was to be furnished to the bel
ligerents, but merely what one Of the
complaining countries would furnish
Continued on Paas 4-column n
D. n T.